by WalkWithMe1948

Created on: May 31, 2008   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Before we even begin to plan our day trip to visit wineries located near Hilton Head, SC, there should be a meeting to decide who the designated driver is. If the group can't decide on one, ask the hotel about getting a driver. I am certain any responsible hotel will be able to help find a reliable one.

My suggestion for the very first stop on our winery tour should be the Carolina Vineyards located up the coast line, to the northern tip of Myrtle Beach. This winery is known for its award winning fruit wines. Their hours are different during different seasons, so we should call ahead to see when they will be opened on the day we are planning to visit. Their number is (843) 361-9181. These vineyards are beautiful, so be sure and bring your cameras. Learning how the wine goes from the vineyard to the bottle is a very interesting learning experience. After our tour, there should be a stop at the tasting room for a sampling of their wines and also for buying some bottles of our favorites at a discount rate. Their fruit wines are known worldwide so be sure to taste a little of each (just make sure you have a driver.)

Now, we are off again, to La Belle Amie Vineyard, just up the road on Myrtle Beach another interesting vineyard open to the public. The name alone LA BELLE AMIE (not sure what it means but, after a few glasses of wine, who cares!), can give you an idea of what this winery offers. Actually La Bella Amie means, "My best friend" if my college French is correct. An interesting fact is that this vineyard is a part of an old tobacco plantation (I love these quaint stories). This winery not only has a tasting room with great food -but their gift shop is very unique, so we should make time in our schedule to spent several hours at this old plantation. Call ahead for operating time - 843-399-WINE (9463). They also have numerous festival and events going on - so it is advisable to call as they may have something great happening and we might want to change our travel route. There is a charge for wine tasting but if we go to their website, there is a coupon for savings.

Now, it's back to the car for we are off again - to our next stop down to Cardinal Road and the Island Winery where one of the best known wineries in the area of South Carolina is located. The winery is open from 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm every day - except for Sunday. During May, there is the Cinco de Mayo celebration every day, with fine wine and Mexican and Southwestern Food. The unique part of this winery is that we can bottle our own private label wine - Margarita Wine (this might sound great to you, but I for one, don't care for margaritas, so I can't even begin to imagine what this wine tastes like!).

This has probably taken up most of the day - so perhaps we should head back to our hotel with a stop for a light dinner (that is if anyone is hungry) at one of the many restaurants in the Hilton Head area. And we probably have enough wine to stock our wine racks until the next time we can visit the wineries at Hilton Head, SC. (Including your private label Margarita Wine for I will not have bought any).

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