Williamsburg Whiskey & Wine Weekend – June 28-30
Welcome to a Williamsburg weekend of whiskey and wine, June 28-30! Indulge in three days of tastings, classes, tours, live music, and more.
The full schedule is available at williamsburgwhiskeywine.com. Sponsored by the City of Williamsburg.
“1937” WHISKY TASTING
AT THE WILLIAMSBURG INN
Friday, June 28, The Social Terrace, 136 Francis Street East
WHISKY TASTING & LIVE MUSIC
The Williamsburg Inn and Rick Wasmund of Copper Fox Distillery have partnered to bring you the finest barrel of rye whisky in Virginia. One of the first barrels at the Williamsburg Distillery, this barrel was given number “1937,” which is the very year that Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller opened the doors to the Williamsburg Inn. Tastings will be available at the Social Terrace in 2 oz. pours. Also featuring live music by Mike DeMoss. More Info
HISTORY OF WHISKEY CLASS #1:
IRELAND AND SCOTLAND
Friday, June 28, 2:40-4:00 PM
Amber Ox Public House – 525 Prince George St
CLASS & TASTINGS
Where did whiskey come from? That’s the question we’ll answer in the first part of our history of whiskey program as we explore the origins of this storied spirit and the two countries that both lay claim to being its inventors. We’ll explore the early days of this beverage and dive into the twin whisk(e)y traditions of Ireland and Scotland, complete with some delicious tastings. Find out how peat smoke finds its way into some of the world’s most beloved Scotches, why the Irish whiskey industry almost went extinct a hundred years ago, and what the heck the phrase “single malt” means anyway. Come out and experience 700 years of history in a few choice glasses.
TICKETS
This is the first in a three-part History of Whiskey course being offered throughout the weekend. Classes may be taken individually $40 or discounted in a group package of $100 for all three sessions. Tickets are available here.
- HOSTED BY GREG BENSON
NEW MEAD RELEASE PARTY
AT SILVER HAND MEADERY
Friday, June 28, 7:00-9:00 PM
FEATURING THE RELEASE OF THE AWARD-WINNING TANGERINE MEAD AND JAZZ JAM WITH TONY MATA
Join Silver Hand Meadery as they celebrate the release and return of their award-winning Tangerine mead. Tangerine is a semi-sweet melomel made with orange blossom honey, tangerines and Munich Classic yeast, inspired by the Led Zeppelin song of the same name. Try the new release and any of their 30 other meads while enjoying live music during Jazz Jam with guitarist Tony Mata.
RESERVATIONS
Guests can make a reservation online, over the phone, or walk-in to the event.
PIE DAY FRIDAY
WITH BALD GUYS PIES
Friday, June 28, open 12:00-8:00 PM, food truck available 12:00-7:00 PM
Copper Fox Distillery – 901 Capitol Landing Road
PIZZA PIES AT COPPER FOX
Copper Fox welcomes new local food truck Bald Guys Pies to the distillery for Pie Day Friday! With homemade crust, fresh ingredients and creative combinations, these pies pair perfectly with a Copper Fox cocktail. Start your weekend off right with some fantastic artisan pizzas and perfectly-crafted beverages at Copper Fox!
TICKETS
No tickets or reservations are required.
COLONIAL WHISKEY WALKING TOUR
Saturday, June 29 – 10:00 AM
Meet on Duke of Gloucester Street by Bruton Parish Church
Whiskey was foundational to the early days of the United States of America… and so was Williamsburg! Join us for a free walking tour of some of Williamsburg’s most iconic sights and explore how whiskey went from a domestic task performed in small backyard operations to the industrial powerhouse it is today… while being the source of a rebellion along the way!
TICKETS
This event is free and requires no tickets or reservations – just show up at the meeting time and location!
- HOSTED BY GREG BENSON
HISTORY OF WHISKEY CLASS #2:
BOURBON & RYE
Saturday, June 29 – 2:40-4:00 PM
Amber Ox Public House – 525 Prince George St
CLASS & TASTINGS
When European settlers arrived in North America they took their penchant for making whiskey with them! And as they – and the nation – moved west they discovered new methods of making this beloved spirit, especially once they settled in what was at that point Virginia but which would one day be Kentucky. Learn (and taste!) how the limestone rich waters west of the Appalachians make some of the finest whiskies in the world, why distillers char their barrels before they use them, and how German settlers in Maryland and Pennsylvania adapted the recipe for their beloved rye bread into a new spirit in the new world.
TICKETS
This is the second in a three-part History of Whiskey course being offered throughout the weekend. Classes may be taken individually $40 or discounted in a group package of $100 for all three sessions. Tickets are available here.
- HOSTED BY GREG BENSON
THE ART OF THE OLD FASHIONED
COCKTAIL CLASS AT COPPER FOX DISTILLERY
Saturday, June 29, 5:00-7:00 PM
901 Capitol Landing Road
COPPER FOX’S PREMIERE COCKTAIL CLASS SERIES
This class will discuss the history and evolution of the Old Fashioned over the years and why whisky is so foundational for this popular classic libation. Participants will learn about different whisky varieties and what makes Copper Fox Whiskies great for an Old Fashioned. They will also learn about importance of the right garnishes, flavor theory, sweet-bitter balance, ice size and dilution, and bar techniques.
TICKETS
Tickets for this event are $45 per person and include instruction, demonstration and hands on education by a Copper Fox seasoned mixologist. Two Old Fashioned cocktails will be created and all ingredients and supplies provided. Tickets are available for purchase here!
SILVER HAND MEADERY TASTING
AT BRICK & VINE
Saturday, June 29 2:00-4:00 PM
Brick & Vine, 431 W Duke of Gloucester Street
FREE MEAD TASTING
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to enjoy a free mead tasting* with Silver Hand Meadery at Brick & Vine in Merchants Square! Sample a delightful array of seasonal and traditional meads, perfect for creating refreshing summer cocktails. Brick & Vine is proud to support this locally-made product at Colonial Williamsburg retail stores.
*Guests must be 21 or older and present a valid ID to sample mead.
BLIND WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE
Sunday, June 30 – 3:00 PM – Blue Talon Bistro – 420 Prince George Street
CRASH COURSE & COMPETITION
Have you ever wanted the deductive wine-tasting skills of a sommelier?
Designed for both the casual wine lover and the avid enthusiast, participants will experience a crash course on the logic-based techniques of blind tasting used by wine experts. Then test your abilities in a relaxed competition as we sample five mystery wines across the world! Score points with each correct conclusion ranging in category from appearance, varietal, age, appellation, and more. Abandon your preconceptions as you learn, compete, and taste!
TICKETS
Tickets for this event are $30 and are available here.
HISTORY OF WHISKEY CLASS #3:
WHISKEY AND THE WORLD
Sunday, June 30 – 2:40-4:00 PM
Amber Ox Public House – 525 Prince George St
CLASS & TASTINGS
When a young engineering student decided to take distilling methods he’d learned during his time in Scotland back to his native Japan, it’s impossible that he could have known what he was setting in motion. But just a hundred years later whiskey has gone from being the provenance of a handful of countries to something produced and enjoyed the world over! In this final part of our history of whiskey program we’ll explore the Japanese whiskey industry and learn how they became an inspiration to aspiring distillers all over the world… as well as try some of those whiskies ourselves!
TICKETS
This is the third in a three-part History of Whiskey course being offered throughout the weekend. Classes may be taken individually $40 or discounted in a group package of $100 for all three sessions. Tickets are available here.
- HOSTED BY GREG BENSON
SUNDAY FUNDAY FIESTA
WITH VIVI’S BURRITOS
Sunday, June 30, 12:00-6:00 PM, food truck available 12:00-5:00 PM
Copper Fox Distillery – 901 Capitol Landing Road
A BURRITOS & COCKTAIL FIESTA
Join Copper Fox for a Sunday Funday Fiesta with the new up and coming food truck concept, Williamsburg’s own Vivi’s Burritos. They will be serving up authentic Mexican burritos with many different options in a fun fiesta atmosphere! Drink specials include Mexican-inspired cocktails, and all-day $5 Blonde Marys.
TICKETS
No tickets or reservations are required.
DOG ST GASTRO PUB
IRISH WHISKEY TASTING SPECIAL
Fri 11:30 AM-9:00 PM // Sat 11:30 AM-9:00 PM // Sun 11:30 AM-8:00 PM
401 W Duke of Gloucester Street
MAIZIE MEETS JAMESON
Throughout the weekend, the DoG Street Gastro Pub is offering an Irish whiskey tasting special, featuring Jameson’s Caskmate Line paired with their very own Maizie’s ESB, made exclusively for the restaurant by Alewerks Brewery (and named after the the dog featured in the DoG St Pub logo)! The special includes Jameson Caskmate Cold Brew, Jameson IPA Edition & Jameson Stout Edition paired with a half pint of the Alewerks Maizie’s ESB.
REVOLUTION GOLF & GRILLE WHISKEY SPECIALS
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM // Sun 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM – 1430 High Street
WHISKEY WINGS, BURGERS, & DESSERT
Visit Revolution Golf & Grille during the weekend for lunch or dinner to order their whiskey meal specials, including maple bourbon BBQ wings, a Jack Daniel’s Burger, and a bourbon pecan pie. Recommended whiskey pairings are also available!
- MENU & PRICING
WINE TASTING AT
THREE SISTERS BOUTIQUE
Friday, June 28 & Saturday, June 29 – 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
525 Prince George Street
COMPLIMENTARY WINE TASTING & SPECIAL MARKDOWNS
Stop by Three Sisters Boutique for a complimentary tasting of their summer rosé and cabernet sauvignon during regular operating hours, and enjoy a 20% discount on all in-stock wine.
FLIGHTS AT WILLIAMSBURG WINERY
Friday & Saturday, 11:00 AM-8:00 PM / Sunday 12:00-6:00 PM
427 W Duke of Gloucester St
WINE BY THE FLIGHT / GLASS / BOTTLE
Sip wine outdoors in Merchants Square or climb the winding winery staircase for an indoor retreat at the Williamsburg Winery location on Duke of Gloucester Street. Wines are available for tastings in flights, by the glass, or by the bottle.
RESERVATIONS
No reservations are required, walk-in service is available.
DISTILLERY TOURS AT COPPER FOX
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM
901 Capitol Landing Road
GO BEHIND THE SCENES
Did you know Copper Fox Distillery is one of only five distilleries in the United States with a working malting floor? This distillery tour provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of their production areas where guests will learn about distillery production, how they make award-winning whisky and spirits, and the history of our uniquely renovated hotel property in Williamsburg. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and ends in the Speakeasy tasting room where guests can enjoy tasting flights and handcrafted cocktails.
PRICING & RESERVATIONS
Tours cost $10 per person. Children 12 and under are free.
For parties of 1-5, no reservations are needed, walk-ins welcome. For parties of 6 or more, please email cufoxtours@gmail.com to reserve a tour.
TASTING EXPERIENCE AT SILVER HAND MEADERY
Reservation slots available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – 224 Monticello Ave
FEATURING SAMPLES OF 8 MEADS & 10 HONEYS
From Beowulf to Robin Hood to Game of Thrones we’ve all read about or heard of mead, but what exactly is it? In this 40 minute tasting experience you will learn all about mead, its different styles and its main ingredient, honey. Discover the differences between unique varietals of honey and how they contribute to the flavor of mead. Also learn about how different ingredients from fruit to spice to even coffee or tea impact the style and flavor of mead. Tasting includes approximately ten samples of honey and eight samples of mead.
RESERVATIONS
Guests can make a tasting reservation online, over the phone, or as a walk-in.
SELF-GUIDED FLIGHTS & POURS AT SILVER HAND MEADERY
Fri & Sat 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM // Sun 12:00-5:00 PM – 224 Monticello Ave
CHOOSE YOUR OWN POURS FROM A MENU OF MEADS & HONEYS
Stop by Silver Hand Meadery for a flight (4 1 oz. pours) or glass in their Tap Room during regular operating hours. Options include their standard bottled options and an experimental Mead Lab menu, as well as a self-guided honey tasting featuring ten different honeys.
Walk-in service, no reservations required.
WILLIAMSBURG WINERY
EXTENSIVE TOUR AND RESERVE WINE TASTING
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM
Williamsburg Winery, 5800 Wessex Hundred
TOUR & TASTING
This experience is designed for those who enjoy serious, dry wines looking for a relaxed and in-depth winery experience. This tour includes a trip to the vineyard and crush pad and a detailed tour of the cellar led by one of the winery’s most knowledgeable wine educators. The tour is followed by a seated tasting of nine wines featuring estate and reserve wines, including some not featured on any other tastings. These wines are paired with a curated cheese plate. All participants will receive an etched wine glass. Please allow 2.5 hours for this experience.
PRICING & RESERVATIONS
Tickets are $66 per guest. Additional details and bookings are available at this link.
WILLIAMSBURG WINERY
INDOOR TASTING FLIGHTS
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Williamsburg Winery, 5800 Wessex Hundred
FIVE FLIGHT OPTIONS
The Williamsburg Winery’s indoor Susan Constant Hall tasting room is open for tasting flights every day. Five tasting flight options are available alongside rotating seasonal options. Each flight includes 4 different wines (2 ounce pours).
PRICING & RESERVATIONS
Pricing ranges $16-$24 per guest. No reservations are required, walk-in service is available.
The full schedule is available at williamsburgwhiskeywine.com. Sponsored by the City of Williamsburg.
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