Me and a group of friends recently enjoyed our 2nd annual wine touring trip for my friends' birthday. Last year around this time (December) and again this year we loaded up a 12-passenger van and spent the day enjoying vineyard touring and wine tasting at 3 different wineries each trip. We visited Prince Michel, Barboursville and Horton vineyards last year and this year went in the opposite direction to Chateau Morrisette, Amrheins and Valhalla. Here is a brief overview of each winery and our experiences there.

1) Prince Michel -FREE tour and tasting - this was one of the favorites. You are started off with a tour and ended with a tasting of each type of wine. You are given a list and pencil so that as you taste you can mark the ones that you enjoy for purchasing later. Very pleasant atmosphere and personable service.
2) Horton -FREE tour and tasting - after enjoying such a pleasant experience at Prince Michel's, I must say that this vineyard was quite a disappointment. While the vineyard itself was very nicely set up, the service was not very welcoming. Rather than going down a list, you have to choose which wines you would like to taste and individually wait and ask one of the people behind the counter who, in turn, acted like it was a bother to fulfill your requests. The customer service here made it a very awkward experience.
3) Barboursville -$4/person and includes a free souvenir wine glass. This winery was both beautiful and inviting. Here, you were given a list and got to choose a certain number of wines, your choice. Very friendly service and warm atmosphere.
4) Chateau Morrisette -$5/person, includes tour and souvenir wine glass - This was a very elegant winery with exceptional service and delicious wine! Here, while serving you a taste of each wine and providing you with a list and pencil to mark favorites, they told you the history of the vineyard. As you browse the winery, a real black lab (CM's trademark) walks through to greet customers.
5) Amrheins- $5/person includes complimentary wine glass - Nice, new building - a bit small but nice. Here, you also go down the entire list of wines and taste each one. Nice service and selection but nothing too spectacular.
6) Valhalla- $10/person includes tour of the wine cavern and souvenir glass - The highlight of this winery is the cavern tour. You enter a large cave full of barrells while you hear of the wine making process and storage. For the tasting you are given a list and can pay $5 to taste 10 wines and $10 for 15 wines. Comforting atmosphere and exceptional wines.

My top choices include Prince Michel, Valhalla and Chattaeu Morissette. Wine-touring is an enjoyable and low-cost experience and definitely something I plan to enjoy more of in the future.

Learn more about this author, Sarah Garrett.
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