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Historic sites and a famous theme park. These are the things Williamsburg, Virginia, is known for, so it’s a delightful surprise that the area offers plenty of places to sit and sip.
Colum 15
But first, coffee.
Though I’m not sure any destination will compare to the splendidness of Cape Town, coffee culture, I am slightly disappointed in Williamsburg’s overall lack of independent coffee shops.
Colum 15 looks promising, so we saunter in one morning, and find a coffee shop, worthy of the characters from Friends.
The atmosphere, strikes a perfect balance of creative and cozy, complete with Jack the fish, who I assume is quietly judging my coffee choice.
Settling onto a sofa, we sip our delicious coffee, and split a yummy cookie.
I fantasize about which adorable space I would set myself up at, to spend an afternoon, in this inspiring place, writing.
Silver Hand Meadery
Let’s get it out of the way. I don’t like mead. No matter if I try the best there is, I’m a bitter girl (when it comes to taste), and it’s challenging for me to sip something syrupy sweet, that sometimes simultaneously tastes of spice. So although you can go to Silver Hand Meadery to try the mead, you also experience a honey tasting. The honey tasting is worth the price of admission.
The live bees are fascinating to watch.
No one told me you can theme your outfit to visiting a meadery , but I am jealous as soon as I spot these gentlemen.
Plates, with dollops of various flavored honey, are placed before our tasting group.
They are all amazing. The mead portion of the tasting commences, but my mind and enthusiasm are with the honey. Why can’t more places do tastings of things that aren’t alcohol? I’d taste ALL the things.
We depart with no mead, but a bag full of honey. On home-use, the Buckwheat is especially good.
Williamsburg Inn
With a few moments between activities to rest and relax, we opt for a sit at the bar, at Williamsburg Inn.
On our walk to the Williamsburg Inn, we pass sheep. My day is made.
The cocktails are lovingly crafted.
Sitting at the bar, feeling fancy with our drinks, chatting to the superb bar tender,
is a perfect way to reboot, after a busy day of history learning.
Tarnished Truth
This is a cheat. Tarnished Truth Distillery, is located in the historic Cavalier Hotel, in Virginia Beach (a day trip ride from Williamsburg). Our main reason for visiting Tarnished Truth is to meet up with friends.
The renovated and restored hotel is beautiful. If you are in the Virginia Beach area, it’s worth taking a curious look around, even if you have no intentions to sip anything.
The distillery chose its name based on the abundance of rumors and stories about the hotel. For example, there is a story that F. Scott Fitzgerald, wrote at the hotel. This has never been proven. Hence, “Tarnished Truth.”
Located downstairs, Tarnished Truth resides in a former laundry area. The distillery is small.
The tasting room, tasting set-up, and overall tasting experience, is impressive.
They win a prize for most organized tasting. Their spirits are well made.
Not wanting to depart from our friends (shout out to Trish and Ben)
We grab a drink at the Raleigh Room.
It’s swanky, and eye-pleasing. I’m obsessed with the hotel’s pool area, that I can see from my seat.
We cheers, sip, and chat the afternoon away.
I imagine famous writers of the 1920s, having artful conversations within these walls, even if it’s actually, tarnished truth.
Wineries
We take a day, to explore wineries in the Williamsburg area. They’re fine, and I appreciate the pretty landscapes,
but we aren’t dazzled. Getting to pet a winery cat is my favorite part of the day.
Copper Fox Distillery
Has saving my favorite for last become predictable?
Copper Fox Distillery, is one of the best winery/distillery visits, we’ve done so far (I know we shouldn’t compare everything to our Wine Flies Tour in South Africa, but it’s hard not to). Copper Fox wins points for Googling me based on my email account name. It is neat to step into a situation where the staff know a bit of who you are already.
Copper Fox Distillery is a motel, turned distillery, and the set-up and layout are brilliant. It’s fun moving from building to building, noting the careful renovations, and seeing how their spirits are made.
The raking floor, stirs my interest. We’re visiting during a season, where the floor isn’t operational, but you understand the skill and patience needed, to deliver a top-notch product.
The best part of any distillery tour, is getting to see the still(s). Tall and gleaming. Each its own, unique, work of art.
The entrance to the lounge area, is a swinging bookcase. My heart flutters.
Our lounge experience starts with a flight,
followed by a crafted cocktail.
Once inside the lounge area, the world outside disappears. We have wonderful conversations with distillery staff, Jessie and Alex.
Cooper Fox Distillery is named, because foxes are one of the most clever animals, and I believe the name fits. Their staff, still, raking floor, bottling area, lounge, outside seating area, and the spirits they create, are clever indeed.
Even if you don’t drink spirits, but are intrigued by how things are made, the Copper Fox Distillery tour is worth taking.
There are several breweries in Williamsburg, that we did not visit. When you have just a week, you can only sip so much. What I value, is the variety of Williamsburg sips. From wine, to beer, to spirits, to coffee, perhaps the only thing missing is a boutique soda brewer or two, and then there would be something for everyone. It’s worth taking time away from history learning and theme parks, to spend a relaxing morning, afternoon, or evening, sipping in Williamsburg.
If you need some food, after your sips, check out
Here’s where to Stay when Sipping Around Williamsburg
