We went to the winery on a chilly and rainy Sunday. The winery is beautiful and picturesque. We…read morewent in for a "sweet" tasting. However, there was nothing sweet about the wines. The young lady assisting us was very sweet and pleasant. She acknowledged sweet wines are really not in their wheel house. We planned to enjoy lunch and a few bottles at the winery. But we had to adjust and make other plans. If you are lover of dry wines, you will love this winery. For sweet wine lovers, enjoy the scenery.

After enjoying brunch at a different business in the area we decided to walk around. We had…read morepreferred to sit outside as it was such a lovely day, but there is limited seating in their restricted area. Nevertheless, we sat inside and enjoyed the flights we ordered. We ordered 1 limited red and 1 limited white. It is served on a plaque and the pours are enough that we were able to share and still get a very nice tasting. The service was friendly and prompt. The atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. Overall we enjoyed our experience. We will return soon.

I found this tour on groupon and I called Deanna to get tickets for me and my friend. She was super…read morenice and I was super excited to go on this tour. The tour comes with complimentary breakfast and lunch. We got picked up at the little station behind Freedom Car Wash and Wawa. The bus was brand new and very comfortable. They had a selection of apple cinnamon muffins, sweet potato pastries, grapes, and strawberries with blueberries for breakfast. The muffins and sweet potato pastries made by a contestant on Master Chef Junior and the muffins were great. I didn't have the pastries because I don't like sweet potatoes. We were offered a bag with water and a granola bar with brochures for wineries and some for the ones we were going to. The was also a scent bag with soy candle samples from Pink Zebra. They smelled great. Next on the list was gathering the rest of the group for the trip from Norfolk. Once we got everyone, we were offered mimosas; candor l cranberry or orange. We chose orange. Deanna introduced herself, daughter, and granddaughter. She also introduced those who she knew who were on the trip. She provided some great historic facts like the origin of witchduck. She discussed the history of Virginia wine and information about Virginia Born presidents. Our first stop was New Kent Winery and our host was great and very polite. The tasting was very informative and fun. Their wines were fantastic and the Vineyard was amazing. It wasn't on the itinerary, but Deanna put it on there. Next was Michie Tavern. We had lunch there and the buffet was great. The wine tasting, not so much. Third stop was Baubersville and the wine was ok. We weren't really a fan of the environment because I felt out of place even though I was dressed pretty nicely. Last stop was Horton and our host was amazing! We had so much fun! We will definitely do this tour again in the fall because it was great and it was so much fun! Happy to have been part of the inaugural trip!

I've been on two wine tours, as well as a wine tasting at a friend's house. I had so much fun that…read moreI recently hosted a wine tasting of my own. My friends raved! The Virginia wines were excellent, and everyone loved the history lesson. Now I have another group of friends who are jealous and want me to host a wine tasting for them. I also love the fact that it's a local business. Deanna's (the owner's) friends and family love to help with her tours, and they are the nicest people. I plan on continuing to support Fruits and Roots Wine Tours, and I'd recommend them to EVERYONE!

My husband and I had a wonderful experience! We went to 3 breweries we had never been to before…read more The beer was exceptional. We will definitely be going back. Russ was a wonderful guide. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. We met another couple on the tour and had a fabulous time getting to know them. We will definitely do this again.

When I saw on Taste Tidewater's Facebook post that there were only 3 spots left for their Oyster &…read moreWine tour, I reserved the same day! It is also my birthday month and have had my eye on this tour for awhile. It was fate! Not knowing what to expect, I jumped the gun and paid immediately. When Rex, the owner, sent the itinerary, I saw 3 local restaurants, Catch 31, Rockefeller's, & Tautogs. My first thoughts were, "I hope this isn't lame...", "I could go to these places myself..." The group met at Virginia Aquarium for an optional tour inside for the first 30mins. I arrived late. Now, I wish I made it on time to hear more about oysters. Rex tried finding the group for me & we walked all around the museum. It was way too crowded, I was late, & didn't mind waiting. Perhaps walkie talkies as a communication tool for the husband & wife team. Not just for late arrivals. :) Could be distracting too but, just a suggestion. The aquarium attendants had no idea who or where the group was. I did appreciate the effort. Not many would help me catch up with group especially, since I was late. Our first stop was Catch 31. Table was set and ready to go. We had three chefs(one including one of our guides, Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton) and the sommelier at our table. They educated us about the oysters & wine. They walked us through the various types of oysters & wine, regions, how to eat, & how to taste. We were served 4 oysters each from one of the 7 regions & two wine tastings. There were condiments and crackers on the table. I thought this was definitely the most informative restaurant out of the three. Next stop was Rockefeller's. Again, tables were set & wine was poured! No menu w/ descriptions. We had 2 raw oysters and 2 oysters rockefeller. Then, we were served hush puppies w/ pimento cheese which were amazing. Last, was coconut cake! This restaurant had more food offerings which was good because after several glasses of wine, I was hungry & others were too!! Last stop was Tautog's. They sat us outside & setup was more buffet style. Glasses of wine were on a table for us to pick up as we walked in. The presentation was beautifully prepared. They had 3 of their house sauces which were delicious! I thought the sauces were needed with these oysters. Others agreed. Didn't taste as fresh as the previous restaurants. I believe they were Lynnhaven and I've had Lynnhaven oysters before. So, not a reflection on the tour. There was also fresh cut fruit on the oyster platters. Only because TT asked, my recommendations would be: * Posting sample itineraries on social media * Clearer description of what to expect with regards to food so people know whether or not they should eat prior to the tour or pack a snack/sandwich. * Website shows they would be "happy to provide water and light snacks." None were offered. * Market/advertise the 10% off Yelp Check-in offer * Advise up front the 10% off Yelp Check-in is NOT valid for the Oyster & Wine tour. A portion of proceeds go towards non-profit which I totally understand & appreciate, just set the expectation. Overall, this was a lovely experience that one can comfortably do solo! I did and I truly enjoyed! Hands down. I am so happy to see a company like this on the East Coast and executing with such class. Please don't think this is a drunken wild party bus. It is a tasteful informative experience with subject matter experts who also enjoy partaking in libations while sharing their knowledge! :) I hope to see more food tours added to their current list. Rex, Lisa, & Chef Patrick were cordial, knowledgable, fun, and professional. Thank you so much for a memorable experience!

A brewery in a strip mall. I know what you're thinking but hear me out. Once inside, you don't…read morefeel like you are in a mini mall or even a shopping area. The brewery is large, clean, colorful, spacious and inviting. It's uniquely decorated. Think taxidermy animals on the wall but half car couches. My family really enjoyed out trip to SB. First off, it was a quiet day. The bartender, a young guy, was super helpful. Flights of 10? Made my husband happy. I can't lie, there were 2 beers I wanted to taste. I like sours. The more they are reds and green, I usually like them. I can share the lucky charms one was not for me. The Welch's jelly sour was a win with me! Lots of merch to choose from. My husband got a really interesting scientist hat. Another win- they sell juice boxes for kids! All this place needs is some food. True score: 3.75

Plenty of options with strange, slightly off putting decor…read more I came here with a group for trivia, which was very fun. It did get very loud, but that's on par for any brewery. There were a lot of drink options, but not many snacks, so if you come here, eat before or have a plan to grab food after. I got the Sapphire Robot, which was sweet without being overwhelming. As someone who doesn't like beer that much, this was perfect. The decor was strange, which works for the name, but it put off my friends. If a ton of taxidermy bothers you, maybe skip it.

Yummy pretzels. Warm, fresh. Excellent, quick, friendly…read morebartenders. Inside & out was very very nice

I wanted to love this brewery, but the atmosphere created by some of the regulars makes it feel…read moremore like a private club than a welcoming brewery. Tables are routinely "claimed" with food and personal items even when nobody is sitting there, and seats are seemingly reserved for people who aren't even present. As a paying customer, it's frustrating to walk into a public business and feel like you're intruding on someone else's members-only space. The culture here has become so cliquish and inhospitable that it resembles a VFW or Lions Club more than a community brewery. Instead of being greeted by an inviting environment, newcomers are left feeling like outsiders who don't belong. What's especially telling is that this reputation apparently extends beyond this brewery. I've spoken with patrons and employees at other local breweries who immediately knew which place I was talking about and laughed knowingly about the "regulars running the place" and the unwelcoming atmosphere they've created. Breweries thrive when they foster community and make everyone feel welcome. Unfortunately, this one seems to have allowed a small group of regulars to dominate the space and dictate the culture, creating an environment that discourages new and returning customers alike.

Very cool historic site that has much more to offer than I was able to enjoy in a day. I'm not a…read morehuge historian, but it was quite remarkable to see the part of the country that has been preserved and restored to match the original colonies. We got to see a barrel being made, a cannon being fired (dry fired), a court session, and lots of buildings and other historical items. The person I was with has been here a few times and said they have options to stay on site and also there are several very good places to eat. Would be a great place for the family or yourself if you want a piece of Americas history.

From a historical perspective, this is a great place to visit. (5 Star) But I would have to say I…read morewas very disappointed in the visitor center. There's a lot of space and opportunity and they really miss the mark providing no real historical experience within the center itself. The outside structure of the visitor center is a C at Best. Gutters are falling off flashing is missing tiles need to be replaced. It's very tired compared to the visitor center down at Jamestown. I was disappointed that the plantation exhibit along the walkway looks to be overgrown and not often for public viewing. It used to be such a great experience to show what life was like for slaves and owners. The colonial town and structures were great to visit, but even several of those structures need more care... gardens and landscaping are mostly weeds and unkept. I would've thought the location would be in pristine condition. Getting ready to celebrate 250 years. (2 Star)

A full service bike shop with beautiful bicycles and bike accessories plus trolley trips and tours…read morearound Richmond. Situated in the quaint old warehouse district of downtown Richmond. Three levels, you can shop for chic Bicycle accessories, bicycles themselves, or rent a bicycle to take a tour of the city. You can also book trolley car tours here with absolutely top-notch guides. The guide we had was a retired university professor and knew all kinds of tidbits of Richmond history. The tour guide even pointed out great eateries within walking distance of this shop. Located right downtown and pretty much right on the waterfront of the James River. Exquisite! Not to be missed!

My sister and I decided to treat our friend to the Upper SHirley tour for her birthday. Anne is…read morephenomenal! From the beginning of planning all the way to the end of the tour Anne provided nothing but exemplary service!! Anne is a very kind, caring and sweet individual who is passionate about what she does as shown in the details of the tour. In addition, to her many talents she surprised us with singing for us while visiting Westover Church! She has a beautiful voice!! Anne answered all our questions before hand expeditiously and was available by Facebook messenger, phone and email. Coordination and getting in contact was super easy. We had brought our own decorations with us to decorate our friend's bicycle for her birthday and Anne did an awesome job!! The birthday girl was ecstatic! Ahead of time you indicate your height so that your bike can be adjusted. If you prefer you can utilize your own bike. I find it more convenient to use her bikes and they were comfortable, had three gears and a nice basket to stores your things. Included in the price are some snacks which consist of a peach or apple and seasoned pecans or walnuts and a water bottle. I recommend bringing an additional water bottle or bring a camelbak if it's super hot. Anne was nice enough to start our tour earlier as a request to avoid the hotter parts of the day. We began our bike adventure from Upper Shirley vineyards with stops along the way to learn some history including VCU Rice Center, and passing many plantations. It's a lovely tour that allows you to bike throughout america's history despite it's harsh realities. Majority of the route is along part of the capital bike trail (which the capital trail is 52 miles). Although you won't be biking the entire route, the tour is 14miles. You do have stops along the way. It's do-able if you don't necessarily work out on a daily basis, but fair warning you may get tuckered out. There's some slight inclines nothing major but my out of shape self was beat, but I did it! :) At the end of the tour you return back to Upper Shirley Vineyards. Anne provides nice cold wet towels infused with lavender to cool off upon your return. You have the option to add lunch for an additional price. We chose this option and it's well worth it!! Anne has a good network within her community. The food at Upper Shirley was delicious it included an entree, a glass of wine, and two shared appetizers. I think the tour itself includes the wine tasting only and you can possibly exchange the tasting For a bottle of wine instead. This was a great way to celebrate! I highly suggest it for anyone who likes to bike, likes history and or enjoys wine! A unique way to celebrate birthdays, do a family outing, bachelorette parties, girls' day out etc and or date nights and to stay active, enjoy the outdoors and explore! PSA - (could stand for personal instead of public service announcement haha) Do NOT try to take a selfie on a bike while riding on a rocky or gravel path. Trust me. I got cocky, because I did it the first time on the ride and no issues and on the way back I took a second selfie and wiped out! The wipe out H-U-R-T, but Anne was super nice about it and was very compassionate and caring. She ran to my aid and cleaned me up and bandaged me. She even offered to get her car and take me back. But I said I was okay to bike back and I was. Even after we got back to the vineyards she attended to me. So you know you're in good hands if a mishap should happen, even if it is your own fault :/ Sorry Anne! Thanks for taking good care of me!!! Recommendations: Bring an extra bottle of water or Camelbak if it's a really hot day. Use sunscreen. Bring sun glasses Wear only sneakers or sandals that are secure that have a back strap to it. No flip flops Have a good time! It truly is a wonderful time! Be safe, don't act like a fool like I did ;)