Our first stop was the Laurel Gray Vineyard. Although this vineyard/wine tasting parlor is small & rustic, the family run vineyard is perfect for those looking for a quiet start or finish to their wine tours. The vineyard has a large selection of wines, including several dessert wines. After selecting some wine from the farm’s old, milking-parlor-turned-wine-tasting-room, we sat out back on their patio overlooking the pond.  I would recommend making this stop early in the trail as the parlor is small – visitors later in the day may find the vineyard is crowded and the experience diminished.

My Tasting Selection: 2019 Viognier, 2019 Pinot Gris, 2020 Charlotte Rose & Blue Ice.

Favorite: Blue Ice

Staff Helpfulness: ★★★★★

Selection: ★★★★☆

Price: $$

Next up on the winery tour is Windsor Run Cellars. This winery, originally named Buck Shoals, is unique compared to other wineries in the area as it is home to the second “legal” distillery in the state. The vineyard uses the distillery to produce several spirits in addition to fortified wine. After sampling some wines on the patio, we had the opportunity to take a tour of their Distillery. The Distiller shed some insight to Windsor Run’s spirit-making process which they accomplish using their grapes & meads. After the tour, we got to sample their current spirits: Killer Bee, White Widow, & Shadow Hawk.

My Tasting Selection: Summer Breeze, Windsorberry, White Sangria (slushie), & Midnight Run

Favorite: Windsorberry (though both summer breeze & white sangria were close)

Staff Helpfulness: ★★★★★

Selection: ★★★★★

Price: $$

Our third stop, only a short distance from Windsor Run, was Shadow Spring Vineyards. At first glance, this winery looks like the traditional stone house in the subdivision. However, this backyard view is far different from what most suburbanites grew up with. Interestingly enough, the owners of Shadow Springs also own Windsor Run. Of the wineries we visited, Shadow Springs had the largest selection of wines for visitors to sample (enough that in my group of 4, none of us had the same wine to taste). In addition to the great wine selection, the vineyard had plenty of seating for larger crowds.

My Tasting Selection: 2021 Tangled Oak Blanc, Sunlight, Shadow-Rita, & Shortcake

Favorite: Shortcake

Staff Helpfulness: ★★★★☆

Selection: ★★★★☆

Price: $$

After finishing our wines by the pond, we headed to our next destination: Piccione Wine Tasting studio. This wine tasting studio sits on a small hill, overlooking the vineyard and it has one of the best views on the Swan Creek Trail. On this particular Saturday, they had live music, performed by Darrell Hoots, as well as food from Wicked Awesome Food. The vineyard is in the process of opening a new tasting room, scheduled to open in 2023 per their website.

My Tasting Selection: Vermentino, Pinot Grigo, Frose, Chardonnay

Favorite: Frose

Staff Helpfulness: ★★★★☆

Selection: ★★★★☆

Price: $$

Finally, our last stop of the day was the Raffaldini Vineyard. The tasting studio is unique from the others as a large Italian picturesque villa. This stop on our trip was the strictest of their wine tastings with pre-selected pairings. In addition, only those who made a reservation could hang out at the wine tasting bar. Unlike the other vineyards, anyone without a reservation had no options other than to sit outside. The staff outside were not knowledgeable on the wines or offered any education or discussion on their selection. Unfortunately, it was a disappointing end to the day. I would recommend anyone taking this particular wine trail to plan ahead with a reservation.

My Tasting Selection: 2016 Il Falco, 2015 Montepulciano Riserva, 2016 Montepulciano Riserva, 2019 Grande Riserva from the Risera Pairing

Favorite: 2019 Grande Riserva

Staff Helpfulness: ★☆☆☆☆

Selection: ★☆☆☆☆

Price: $$$