Upper Shirley Vineyards

We celebrated a birthday. The salmon dish was cooked to perfection. Great flavor and the fish was moist and delicious!

Upper Shirley Vineyards is a great place to sit and enjoy lunch! The porch and grounds are beautiful and there is a really nice river view. The staff were very polite and friendly. They have a small menu and the food was really good. Of course they have a nice wine selection. Although I didn't try any, I heard several people say it was wonderful. They have a limited gluten free menu, but there are a couple of offerings. As for accessibility, they have a few handicap spaces and easy access to the main building. Once inside its fully accessible as well. Our office had lunch there and we really enjoyed our visit. I would definitely go again. It's close to Richmond and not terribly far from Williamsburg.

Great food and wine!!! Beautiful outside. Wait staff could be a little more friendly but charcuterie board, smash burger and chocolate cake are outstanding !!!

Beautiful place! Had lunch on the porch with a group of 10 people and the service was fantastic. All the food and wine were amazing! The owner stopped by our table to check on everything and told us a little about the history of his journey purchasing the property and turning it into what it is today. After lunch a few us us had glasses of wine at the bar and the owner again chatted with us. He was very down to earth and friendly and made us feel very welcome. We walked down the lawn to take some pictures in front of the river and saw two bald eagles. Overall a wonderful afternoon. I will definitely be returning soon!

Google had a bit of a challenge to get there with the Historic Plantation next door. Wine was good. They had music on the back porch. I would have given a 5 star but they really need more umbrellas below the back porch area. The porch tables are reserved and or for food. They closed early for a wedding so we enjoyed a bottle of their wine and took in the beautiful views along the river.

Such a beautiful view. We did the self guided wine tasting. Everything you needed in one box. It was a lot of fun and a great way to try 10 wines and still drive home. Worth mentioning that the food was also very good. When you leave make sure you take a ride around the grounds. The plantation buildings were closed when we went but would definitely go back to explore.

This is a great piece of property here in virginia. We find the wines to be pretty decent and the prices to be on par with other Vineyards in the area. The food is decent quality although a very limited menu as you would expect from a winery. There's a lot of outdoor space around the back to accommodate large groups. The staff has been very helpful and services on point. Something to keep in mind, they do not allow pets on the property. I know a lot of Wineries and breweries will allow you to bring your four-legged friends, not this place.

Beautiful place with amazing food, great wine and wonderful service! I can’t wait to come back as we enjoyed our time here so much! Didn’t take any photos of the food, but it was delicious! I am still thinking about that crab cake sandwich… highly recommend!

Well, this was our first time here, and was recommended by a friend. It's crazy that we haven't been here before since I live only 30 minutes or so from the location. There were four of us here this day and besides food, the three ladies had Red Wine Flights. First the location and staff. The location was just wonderful. What a beautiful and appears to be well-kept place. The grounds were well-kept and perfect for picture taking. Since our other two were visiting family from out of town - a lot of pictures were taken. The staff was very friendly and accommodating. We did use Open Table to make reservations and were taken quickly to our seats. Although I don't recall Open Table asking about seat locations - the staff was able to get us porch seating. I guess I got lucky on that. Maybe I just missed that tab on Open Table, because I would have requested that. So if you're using that App look hard for that request. Inside was very nice - but outside was amazing. Food for all of us was decent. I had a nice lobster roll and the wifey had the grilled cheese sandwich. She allowed me one bite of her sandwich. I have to say I liked it a lot. Had a wonderful flavor. My lobster roll again was pretty good. Didn't have a lot of flavor, but again, was pretty good. as for our guests, one had a hamburger that she really enjoyed and was very filling and our other guest had a Panini of some kind that was so large, she ended up taking half of it home and eating it later that evening. Now to the wine. I had maybe 1 sip from each of my wife's flights. Since I'm such an anti-drinker and any driving. I apologize. I didn't take a photo of the samples. But it comes down to, to each his own. I know my wife really enjoyed two of the four and the other two samples were good, but just dry wines, which is not her forte. So I do think this was a really nice place and do expect to go back someday. I also think if you're a local and have visiting guests - this is a really nice option.

Upper Shirley Vineyards is a great place to get away and enjoy good food and wine while taking in views of the James River. Both the interior dining area and the long porch in back contain ample comfortable seating. We dined there for lunch and enjoyed a flight of their white and rose wines, as well as a glass of their Divertido, which is a red wine. The wines all complimented the food. I especially liked the sparkling rose! It exudes flavors of strawberry. For lunch, we ordered the grilled cheese sandwich composed of bacon, tomatoes, and spinach with sharp cheddar and havarti cheeses. We also ordered the turkey, bacon, cheese, arugula panini. Both sandwiches were excellent and came with multiple choices of sides, and we chose the yummy house chips. The restaurant was busy and had more than enough staff to accommodate everyone. They were informed and cheerful. After lunch, we strolled the back of the property, which overlooks the James River. It begins with a patio containing couches and chairs under the cover of large umbrellas. It's a relaxing space to sip wine and enjoy time with friends. Beyond the patio is a large grassy area leading to an area overlooking the river. Upper Shirley Vineyards also has a banquet facility. Parking is good and easily accessible.

I really enjoyed the bright lighting in dining area. I ordered the white wine flight with the spinach and artichoke dip. I enjoyed the #2 white wine the most out of the flight. It was the very fruit forward and light which is what I enjoy. The spinach and artichoke dip was nice but a little oily. The crostini was toasted perfectly. I had a great experience and will be back!

Just go! It's worth the drive to experience this food. The fish was amazing and the sides were so good! My aunt and uncle love the lobster rolls. It was a memorable lunch on the back patio. So delish!

What a beautiful place to visit. Even though it's out of the way, the views are tranquil and perfect for a girls day out. The initial service to get seated is a bit confusing since the front attendant was missing, but once we were seated, the server was excellently attentive. The food and wine were deliciously paired. I got the white wine flight and had it with a charcuterie board and the fried green tomato caprese. It's a lovely place and somewhere I'd recommend those visiting nearby Richmond.

This is probably my favorite winery around because it checks all the boxes-- has great food, a wonderful view and great wine! I love their wine flights, and that there's a variety of options. The truffle fries are delicious !!!! The water view is super nice, too.

The ambiance and views are insuperable, the food is not bad but nothing special either, it is a place to come for the experience. The service was good. We will be back!

Update on Upper Shirley! All the Stars!! Our work had a gathering here... a private wine tasting by the incomparable Nate! He was so knowledgeable yet not at all condescending. He was amazing, his service was on point! The grounds are gorgeous. The estate is fabulous and we all had a grape time!! We had apps with our tasting and afterwards we enjoyed an exceptional lunch on the veranda overlooking the knoll and the river! I had the charcuterie board (to match my earrings!) and the rest of our clan had burgers, pulled pork, salads, and dandy sandwiches. As we dined and sipped our way to elation... we received incredible attention from the servers. No whining from us... we had a blast! To top off the afternoon, we enjoyed nightingale ice cream sandwiches which hit the sweet tooth to perfection! Upper Shirley is Tops with us!!

Decided to take a road trip for some wine and ended up here! The place is stunning, and has plenty of outdoor space for an event like a wedding. The inside has a restaurant feel without feeling too formal. We decided to sit in the back with a view of the water. There's tables on the deck with additional lawn seating (the lawn is huge). My brother and I both got a flight and some shared appetizers. The food was an unexpected standout! I absolutely loved the collard greens in the oysters Rockefeller. We couldn't stop raving about the food after we left. We came here on a weekday afternoon so it wasn't too busy. They have a sign stating that there is a 2 hour seating limit for tables with a server but that didn't seem to be a problem for us. I'd definitely come back again!

I love everything about Upper Shirley -- the wine, the wonderful food and the beautiful spaces. Our daughter and son-in-law were married here and we love to go back. We recently ordered wines online and had a great experience with that, too!

First time here and had a great time!! Solid food and solid drinks! Their sparkling rose was pretty good! It was filled with fruity flavors but not too sweet. The mushroom flatbread was cheesy with mushroom slices, truffle oil, and arugula. I personally wish it could have been seasoned a little more but it was still yummy overall. The charcuterie board had your standard 3 meets and 3 different types of cheeses as well as some pickles and pickled asparagus. It came with a fluffy baguette! There was plenty of parking and seating options inside, patio, and outside. I liked the open space with live music, as well as the fairy lights on the patio. Tables were clean. The food came out pretty quickly and staff were nice. Would recommend!!

Food was amazing and wine was even better. Great service and we were seated right away .

Excellent food and service. I had the roast beef sandwich and my husband has the Turkey stack. We had the fried tomatoes caprese as an appetizer which was phenomenal and chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. Highly recommend for an excellent atmosphere and good food.

The food and wine were delicious. The service was attentive and courteous. There was a group celebrating a birthday and they were a bit loud, but as more people arrived, the noisy table was less of an issue. The vineyard is located on a beautiful spot overlooking the water. I would heartily recommend meal and wine-tastings here!

Perfect weather. Outside seating. Excellent service. Advice on wines and delicious sharings for the four in our party. Plan to visit in the future!

Absolute scam. We went for Valentine's Day and this is what the info online says, "oin us this February for our special three-course candlelit prix fixe Valentine's Dinners. Cost is $80 per person (excludes tax and gratuity). Seatings are available at 5:30 & 7:30 on the following dates: Dinner will start with a pour of Blanc de Blancs and then you will then have your choice of three courses and wide selection of wines, cocktails, and beers to choose from. Guests will be allotted two hours at their table" We were charged $240 WITH $80 EACH for our appetizers and a "large party gratuity." For two of us. None of this was made apparent to us and we will absolutely not be returning

We ventured here by bike via the Virginia Capital Trail. They had plenty of space to lock up bikes and an ample parking lot for vehicles. As you arrive, you will enter alongside some horses meandering in a field. This kinda sets the scene for this lovely vineyard. We headed straight to the back field along the river and found a shady spot under a tree. You really couldn't ask for a better location. Some musicians were playing and we relished in the enjoyment of being in such a scenic plantation setting. We had a picnic lunch (chicken salad and a club sandwich) from their menu and it was delicious! We also enjoyed a bottle of the sparkling rosé. I would definitely come back here again!

Great time for my friends birthday. We went in a Saturday 12-3. Extremely pack inside and out. The offer a wine tasting kit for$15 or in person for $25 We set outside on the patio. Took awhile to get my food as I joined the party later and it was packed but that would be my only critique! My mushroom flatbread was delicious! Only suggestion is to toss the arugula in olive oil and seasoning. Great experience and prices will definitely be back! Hopefully for the fried green tomatoes topped with pimento cheese!

Such a disappointing visit. We went for a Mother's Day lunch because I have work Mother's Day. My mom is immuno compromised so we had to sit outside - which should have been great given the weather/setting. Instead the band was SO LOUD we literally couldn't talk to each other. I couldn't hear anyone unless we yelled, including those next to me. I got a headache from having to talk so loud and the noise from the music. We asked our waiter twice to help, he said everyone had been complaining all day, they had to move a bunch of people inside because of it. We asked the manager twice to ask them to turn down and every single request was ignored. The food was mediocre and expensive. What should have been a fun lunch turned into a stressful in enjoyable time due to something that should have been handled by management. There are a lot better restaurants in terms of food, I would avoid going if they have music. We will just go to the boathouse next time- lesson learned!

Food and property was great! Very nice for lunch on a warm day! The service was lacking but I'm sure it was just that specific server everything else was nice. Their specialty drinks were delicious!

Had so much fun have snacks and wine on the back porch! They setting is very nice over looking a lake with plenty of parking, of course this was during the week so I'm not sure what it is like on weekends. The staff was very nice, we ordered a cheese board and the bread baskets as well as wine flights. I would definitely go back.

Great atmosphere. Beautiful scenery. Wine is good but the food is too. Try the crab cakes

So this is not a winery. This is a restaurant! They don't do tastings. They have 3 SET menu flights and changes are not allowed. You are sat at a table and forced to drink there set wine flight. Very disappointed!

Came here on a beautiful afternoon with my wife and a friend. Gorgeous porches! We had the Sauvignon blanc and Viogn. and enjoyed both while we waited for food. We shared the truffle fries and their fried chicken biscuit special, which was delicious. The biscuit is not the star of the show which is fine! Fried chicken is perfect My advice is to bring a blanket and enjoy a bottle by the river before getting food!

This gorgeous winery and vineyard is a sight to see! If you want the entire tasting make sure you make a reservation, we did a walk in and sampled the red and white flights which were fantastic! I stuck with the red of course, there is a sweeter red at the end to finish with I liked the others best! We also got the fries which were delicious! There is a gorgeous patio and lake view outside but be aware it is first come first service and gets busy!

This weekend, drove a bachelorette party out to a few vineyards, with Upper Shirley being the first stop. The building sets a magnificent stage with great views, good times, and tasty treats. One of my favorites part of this winery is that there is a wrap around porch around the entire building with tables to dine, relax, and enjoy the wine. Maddy (at the host stand) was fantastic, helping me to get a place to seat, and offering some fantastic suggestions. She was absolutely stellar in her knowledge and helping me to have a great time while greeting other guests and making sure everything had a great flow to it. While I didn't get to meet any of the other staff members, I noticed that they were quite attentive and very helpful & friendly towards customers and each other. Overall, an amazing experience, and I have to say that the Zucchini Fries were done in such a great way, just the right amount of crunch with the breading, without getting soggy!! 5/5 would totally recommend this as a date spot or just a short getaway from the city here at Richmond

Upper Shirley plantation is a great place for lunch. Two of us split their rendition of a club sandwich. We upgraded from the chips to the truffle fries. We had so much food that we took home leftovers. The food is truly amazing. Combine that with the killer view of the river for a romantic and elegant dining experience. I am not a wine drinker but truly love their food

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Upper Shirley Vineyards! We had a 30th birthday party last week and this was our first stop with lunch. From the time I emailed Kayla about a large reservation to the time we left the winery, our experience was amazing. Dominique took care of us during lunch and the service was incredible. Our group will definitely be back! Thank you all for making the day special!

This is an AMAZING destination Vineyard/Winery/Restaurant in Charles City, Va., USA. Also adjoins the historic Shirley Plantation property on the James River.. I have been coming here since Suzie opened this venue. 30 minutes from Richmond,Va., 30 minutes from Williamsburg, Va. Wine, Food, Service, is Impeccable...

Stopped in on a Sunday afternoon. Live music- large yard for seating- bring a chair or blanket in case the seating provided is full. Tasting of 9 wines is $15. Nice variety of red and white preboxed with descriptions plus a free glass. A great value for the Richmond area. Limited food menu but they did offer fried green tomatoes, burgers and cheese charcuterie boards so I was happy. Plenty of seating on covered deck however being the closest winery to Richmond it is quite popular and fills up fast.

Fancy without being bombastic, this winery was the starting point and final destination for our friend's birthday bike tour through "Basket & Bike. " We had opted to add lunch at the vineyards for an additional cost for our group and the tour itself included wine tasting. I'm so thrilled that the two partnered with each other, because they make quite the pair! The grounds are beautiful and vast with the backdrop of the scenic James RIver. A sign marked "play" pointing to the left to the winery and restaurant and the other sign marked "work" pointing to the right towards the vineyards are a playful yet truthful message that welcomes you. Entering the grounds the vineyards are to your right and the gravel/ rocky parking lot is to the left with Archey, an important race horse with history greets you with a winning pose. This winery/restaurant has class but charm with southern hospitality. We had a wonderful experience! It could be that Anne, (the owner of Basket & Bike) made our experience very enjoyable and seamless since we had added lunch to our bike tour. She was able to contact Upper Shirley to have our table ready for us indoors after our active, long bike adventure on part of the capital bike trail. We were seated expeditiously upon our arrival. It was a very busy time, we arrived around noonish. Service was prompt and our server always ensured that our water glasses were always full on that hot summer day. We had two appetizers we shared "cheeses from here and there" and the " vineyard board " both were delicious! We all happened to order the crab cakes and they were tasty. My sister is allergic to bacon and there were scrumptious bites of these pig bits mixed in with the succotash. Our server was notified about the allergy and there was a slight overlook, however he quickly remedied this with a new plate of crab cakes sans the bacon. Also included with the bike tour was wine tasting, however by the time we finished our meals and our bottle of wine we had with lunch, myself and our friend, the birthday girl were too full to imbibe in the wine tasting. They kindly allowed us to exchange our wine tasting in lieu of a wine bottle which was very kind of USV. Everyone including staff and customers alike were super friendly and there was a good mixed crowd. Thank you Upper Shirley for putting the icing on the cake to what seemed to be a fantastic birthday outing for my friend and for the rest of us!

I'm surprised they are rated so high, I gave 2 Stars for the beautiful house, view, and location. As an avid (red) wine drinker their offerings were ok. The Petit Verdot is the best red wine on their menu but at $12 a glass (one of the cheaper red wines, mind you) this was waaaayy overpriced. Their higher end reds were meh and are $40 a bottle - you've got to be kidding me. I am a big supporter of local wineries (I'm a member of two in my area) and I always hope the wine is good enough to recommend to others, sad this wasn't the case here. I do understand there aren't many wineries nearby so it's slim pickings and based on that this place is very popular. So, to be honest if the red wines were cheaper, say 8-10 (instead of 12-14) I'd given it a better rating because it's really about value if the taste isn't there. So it's decent if you live nearby - the house and view are absolutely gorgeous. That alone is a reason to visit. I come at least once a year and I may visit again because my local friends like it - I was just hoping for more. Sad face. They had a limited food menu when we came but it was decently priced. We had the fries, which were good, and the stew. Tip: Also, in the future when a band is playing and people just want to hang in the tasting room and not the banquet-concert room please consider not charging $20 just to get in (if you are going to charge $20 maybe include one glass of wine to those not going to listen to the band in the other room, especially on a Saturday! Or charge $10! Not once did our party go to the banquet room to hear the band, paying $20 to go in plus $14 a glass was a bit much).

This is an amazing place lot's of space the offer tasting boxes (flights of wine) all in little plastic cups numbered with a nice description of each and a tasting glass for 15.00.. we got the Truffle Fries w/ a dipping Aioli which were delicious (except the Parmesan on top was grated so fine that it didn't melt and actually blew off by the wind, the Sourdough Grilled cheese with tomato soup was fabulous and the Mezze (a Mediterranean plate was to die for!) after tasting our wines we did decide on two bottles! They had someone singing and playing music...it was beautiful day!

Let's start with the facts! Upper Shirley is a gorgeous plantation. The views are absolutely amazing! I would consider this the classiest vineyard going east. My first trip here was eerily nostalgic, but calming and serene. The staff is very friendly and welcoming! The waitstaff is very attentive and knowledgeable. The tasting room is rustic, but modern. It has a huge porch and deck for people watching. It sits on the water which adds a calming touch. It's a great place to have a selfie photoshoot! Upper Shirley offers lunch until 3pm. After 3pm you can order desserts or cheese plates. The reason I gave them 4 stars and not 5 is because I love their wines and cheese boards, but some of the food isn't as impressive. The cheese boards include a range of cheeses, pepper honey, figs, and pecans. You could actually fill up on the cheese boards. But, I'm a foodie so I always feel the need to dine. Now, let's talk about what wasn't impressive. The oysters and collards did not meet my expectations. I ordered the fried oysters with collard greens. When I think collard greens I think sautéed or cooked with a ham hock. I never think cold, collard greens. Let's say I was caught by surprise. The oysters were lightly fried and plated in an aioli sauce with two patches of cold cooked collard greens. The greens threw me for a loop. I could have done without them. I can't un-taste them. The oysters were friend perfectly. Very light and seasoned well. Enough, about food! Please over indulge and do a wine tasting on your first trip! All of the wines are refreshing! I personally love the Viognier, White Blend, & Rose'. If you are a wine enthusiast and you enjoy views and a great charcuterie board Upper Shirley is the place for you.

This is a cozy winery. The scenery is beautiful. It sits right on the river, and is very spacious. There's an option for back porch seating or you can sit just down on the stairs "yard". Of course, indoors is closed due to COVID. The seating is very spaced out and each table is cleaned between groups. This winery is a bit more pricey than the others I've visited and the food options are limited, in my opinion. Staff is friendly and there's plenty of parking!

Great wines and excellent views. Enjoy their $15 wine tasting and them choose to buy a bottle wine r two of any of their delicious wines. Then take another bottle or two home. We also had truffle fries, Brussels sprouts, chocolate chip cookies and a cheese and charcuterie board. The view is perfect. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Sit back and enjoy.

I had the honor and pleasure of attending a fabulous wedding at this venue this past weekend. The vineyard provided a stunning scenic view of the James, which provided the perfect background for the couple to declare their vows and love for one another. The whole layout for the wedding was perfect. The tasting room, dining room, dance floor, and both front and lawn porches made for the ideal space for hosting a large number of people, as I believe the wedding had about 200 guests. In addition to the fairytale view and backdrop of the venue, the food was divine. We had items from the prix fix menu, including a salad and the filet mignon. There was a wide array of tasty treats for dessert as well. Staff brought around appetizers as well. The crab cakes were divine. I have to say they were the best crab cakes I had had in a while. I plan on going back to Upper Shirley for lunch one day just to get more crabcakes. Overall, highly recommend this venue for both a fun weekend hangout for wine tasting, as well as for a wedding venue. FIVE STARS.

The drive in from Richmond was beautiful. Loved the hills and fields of corn and just the landscape of Virginia. Driving you think you're in the middle of nowhere oh, but you start seeing signs for the plantation and on the drive up into the plantation oh, you see the rows of grapes and The beautiful landscape including horses and the brilliant absolutely amazing Plantation home. They take you on a wine tasting to her if you like you can just enjoy the atmosphere weather on the deck or inside. The staff is very into their customer base and taking care of them and every needs possible. We sat outside on the huge scenic porch overlooking the James River. Our waitress was very polite and attentive. We did some wine tasting before the meal. That was fun and very tasty. Our group started off with truffle fries, and fried oysters . They said the fries were delicious. I can speak for the oysters. They were battered and perfection is an understatement. Wonderfully done. For an entre my bf had the crab cakes and shrimp/grits. They said that the spice was perfect not too much. The consistency of the grits was perfect. The crab cakes were made with true flaked crabmeat. Lightly battered and perfect flavor. I had the green tomatoes and the lump crab stack. Taken back by the taste of the stack and how it all blended together a little fruity but seasoned as well. The green tomatoes were great, and the fat back on top just made it. So we had to go for broke and ordered the key lime pie, donut bread pudding, and chocolate torte cake. This was all amazing. This place is absolutely a got to see and experience.

So let me start off by saying, I'm originally from New Jersey and I've only been in Virginia for 3 years. I'm very proud of my culture and the perseverance that my ancestors possessed during times of "adversity". Even to this day, the Northerner in me still has an issue with driving down Monument Ave., Robert E. Lees' birthday being a holiday, and all the other culturally insensitive/ low profile racist stuff that goes on in Virginia. So being that Upper Shirley Vineyards was the first plantation that I ever visited, I was initially not looking forward to it. Once we turned off of John Tyler Memorial Hwy and began the long drive down Shirley Plantation Rd., I became an emotional mess. I was with a group of friends that were white and Asian and I know for a fact that they were not seeing nor thinking the same things I was... As I looked out the car window at the fields of flowers and other crops, I visioned those fields lined with cotton plants and my ancestors working to death in unbearable conditions. I let out a deep sigh, shook my head and kept it to myself... Finally as we pulled up to the parking lot and the massive plantation house came into view, I felt even more mixed feelings. However, as we made our way through the front door, we were greeted by the most friendly and professional staff ever. To add to that, I was taken away by how beautiful it was inside the house. Awestruck, by the beauty and warm welcome, I was instantly ready for a good time. Lol. Upon entering there's a ballroom or two to the right along with the restrooms and then the very much talked about restaurant/ wine tasting area is to the left. The restaurant was bright, kind of upscale, and pretty large. The vaulted ceilings also make it feel even larger. There's plenty of tables and space to accommodate large groups. We had a party of 6 adults and 4 children and though it was busy, we were very comfortable. Our server was also superb. I've heard many people make references about how small the menu is, but this is a winery first and a restaurant second. So I had no problem with the menu. The menu itself had many creative dishes and even enough options to keep the vegetarians happy. We all shared eachother dishes and honestly, everything tasted phenomenal and had great presentation. I love wine, but I am not a wine snob. I sampled four wines and was impressed with them all. Two reds, a white, and a red blend. After we finished eating, we moved to the patio area, which was a very pleasant surprise. There was plenty of seating. Nice wicker chairs and love seats with comfortable cushions overlooked the large yard and James River. There were also plenty of large umbrellas to shade the seated areas. All in all, it was a great experience. Fast forward to a few months later, I found out that Upper Shirley Plantation offered a slavery walking tour. I don't know if the people that own the restaurant, own the plantation as well. But to me, that slavery walking to meant a lot and it says a lot about the people that run this place. Prior to going to Upper Shirley Vineyards, I did research on a few other plantations/ mansions and I was shocked by how many places either denied their past or had very little info about slavery. So with that said, I have the utmost respect for the owners and staff of Upper Shirley and I commend them on running a great establishment all while embracing it's history in a positive and informative way.

What a beautiful Vineyard! Reminds me a little bit of the vineyard my husband and I got married in Charlottesville... though the added bonus with this place is it is right by the water. We walked in around 11:30am to grab some lunch... the hostess proceeded to ask if we made reservations. There were a total of 9 of us (5 adults and 4 kids... why I didn't think to make a reservation blows my mind... we will definitely make sure we make one next time. The hostess did say that next time we make reservations we will be provided the space for two hours), luckily for us the hostess said that she would be able to sit us outside and it would take a moment to set up the seating. It was still breezy and cool when we got there but it got warm as our lunch proceeded. We were definitely lucky to sit outside as we got a view of the water... breathtaking... pictures don't do it justice. I felt like I was on vacation:) We ordered the Biscuit and Cornbread basket and the Truffle Fries. If I were you I would skip the biscuit and Cornbread... unless you want dense biscuits... which were actually better than the cardboard and extremely bland biscuits. The Truffle Fries were shoestring Fries with a side of Truffle Aioli... so yummy it will be hard for you not to eat it all even though it was a huge portion. I got the Shrimp and Grits (it had shrimp, andouille, mushrooms, and Grits in this awesome sauce. Not the typical thicker Shrimp and Grits sauce consistency you get with most that serve it, it was more soupy. Not sure how I would think of that at first but I kid you not I licked my plate clean. Probably the best Shrimp and Grits I've had around the RVA area... one of the top all time for sure) and my husband got the Chicken and Dumplings (this is not the traditional Chicken and dumplings, they were small little Dumplings that were fried and a huge piece of chicken which most was deboned for you with a sauce and vegetables tossed together. It had great flavor! My husband cleared his plate!). Our friend got similar things, except one got a burger and one got crabcakes... they also enjoyed their meals. The kids munched on everyone's plate and split a grilled cheese. The adults all enjoyed glasses of wine. Note: you can only do tastings in the main dining area. The girls ended up doing a vintage Tasting ($14 for all 10 wines). Honestly I thoroughly enjoyed all the wines... my favorites were the Red#2, Chardonnay and the Viogner. Honestly, all were great though. My only complaint is that they need to staff more people doing wine tastings. There were only two people doing tastings, charging people and packing bottles of wine people bought after their tasting or just random people not doing a tasting buying bottles of wine. I think it took us almost an hour and 30 minutes to complete our tasting.... I would say for 30 minutes we were asked if we wanted to do a tasting but we were not served our first tasting until 30 minutes later. At any rate... the wine still was great. This is a great place to bring kids... just remember to bring your picnic blankets and some outdoor activities for the kids. There was also live music which was great! Such a great place... just wish it was a little closer took us around 50 min to get here from Midlothian. Regardless, we will be back for sure!!!

Atmosphere: The plantation itself is absolutely beautiful. From the drive in to the view of the river, it's a gorgeous location; however, it's disappointing that you aren't able to take advantage of these beautiful views. You may only use the patio space if you are dining in the restaurant, and they frequently host events which prevent you from exploring the grounds. When I think of the best vineyards I've visited, they've had ample of space to leisurely drinking wine outdoors in fair weather and in a tasting room during cold/wet weather. Shirley hasn't seem to have gotten this memo as you aren't able to relax on their beautiful property and their tasting bar is extremely crowded on weekends, leaving little space to maneuver and preventing much conversation with the server pouring your samples. Wine: The wine here is extremely average. To be blunt, I've had less expensive wine that tasted far better. The flavors all fall flat and I have no true desire to return for more. We bought a bottle at the end of our tasting to help support a local business but I have yet to open it months later as it was just mediocre. Food: Be prepared for a long waiting list if you'd like to eat here! The wait time was an hour and a half when we arrived around 11:30am. The food was fairly good, but was a bit pricey (to be expected for the location/atmosphere). The server paid very little attention to us; we never received our refill on waters and it took 20 minutes after we were finished eating to find him to request our check. The hostesses were not overly friendly when we spoke with them to add our names to the waiting list and were even less friendly when we returned to check in on our place on the waiting list. All in all, I'd say it was a fine experience, but I'll definitely be visiting another vineyard the next time I'm ready to go wine tasting.

The BLT was outstanding. The atmosphere is very upscale yet casual. Very nice place for lunch for two.

Wine and scenery always go hand in hand with each other and this winery has that! It's located right outside of Richmond, VA and is in a secluded and calming wooded environment. The drive from Hampton Roads was not too bad but there is a significant stretch of driving through two lane roads in the woods. It could be scarier at dark but just be extra cautious while driving. It has a main building with the tasting section and ballroom. The back porch is covered and with a spacious backyard for relaxing and taking in the outdoors. We visited this place during the day and they had a couple of tents you can stay in along with chairs and couches throughout the yard. You can definitely bring your own chairs and picnic blankets as well. They offer their signature whites and red wines. We ordered a bottle of their signature red wine and it was not too sweet and a little on the dry side. It was a relaxing and overall a nice experience and we would go back again when it is warmer!

Easy 4 stars, for wine, food & overall atmosphere. My only complaint is how loud it was inside. They've only been open since March 2016, but everything seemed to be running quite smoothly. 16 acres of vines (plus 30 leased at Honah Lee vineyard), but too soon to say how many cases a year they will make. This place is POSH. Huge tasting room, and presumably a big wedding destination. The view of the river was wonderful as well. Michael Shaps is their wine maker, and while I didn't love everything I definitely found a few winners. While I often find really big wineries tend to focus on the event center instead of the wines, Upper Shirley didn't seem to have that problem. What I tried: 2014 Rose: Sangiovese & Merlot; not too sweet but not for me Sparkling Rose: I'm not a sparkling lover so I'm not really a good judge 2014 Sav Blanc: Minerally; just OK 2014 Viognier: Honeysuckle & peach notes. If you're a Viognier lover, you'd enjoy this one. 2014 #2 White: The only one I clearly didn't like; too sweet, although generally I do like Traminette 2013 Chardonnay: French Oak, a little creamy; a winner that went well with my crab cakes 2013 Zachariah red blend: A little fruity 2013: Cab Franc: Definitely a winner. Bing cherry and slight pepper finish. No tobacco or leather like I'm accustomed to VA Francs 2014: #1 Red: So so red blend 2013 Tannat: Wooaaah! Hold the horses! Amazing Tannat, absolutely loved this one. So you can imagine my consternation when I saw the price tag was $65 (and members only, although I was allowed a small sip). They also have a very nice restaurant on the premises. Do yourself a favor and sit on the balcony looking over the lawn & river. But get reservations; it seemed to get busy fast.

Listen y'all, I needed a break from my house and Upper Shirley delivered with wide open spaces, live music & indulgent drinks + snacks! They've got a great space outdoors with varied seating options (tables, tents, grass (BYOChair)). There were a bunch of people there but they were spaced out and following COVID rules. Upper Shirley has chilled bottles, tasting kits, and a picnic menu from which you can order - all outside on their deck. I ordered chardonnay & pimento cheese fries. I was in HEAVEN - I'm not sure we can really call the cheese whiz + bacon "pimento cheese" but it was damn good regardless. And the wine ? Delicious

Where do I begin? It started out as a lovely day with low humidity, perfect company and plenty of sunshine. So, we thought, (among the mayhem of the Covid19 virus and not leaving our home for weeks) why don't we take a nice drive out to the country where we can breathe fresh air and hear the birds singing? It had been a stressful 2 months (I lost my job) of helping families and businesses stay afloat (we may not be rich but giving back to our community is one of our hobbies because we remember what it was like to be broke, down-troddin' and hopeless) with donations and volunteerism. We live in Manchester, a very diverse urban part of Richmond that is filled with great breweries and restaurants where we help to feed the homeless and fund-raise. We hopped in our car and found ourselves at Upper Shirley Vineyards! The trip organically unfolded as we had never been there before. We soon discovered that we could order wine to-go as the tasting room is closed due to the virus. We purchased the Rose and the Sauvignon Blanc. As wine makers and beer judges, we were enthusiastic to try our new purchases. For 2 bottles of wine our total was $66. Here is where my review gets slightly off track and I apologize, maybe a bit hard to follow. Soon after tasting the Rose (which costs $36 and tastes similair to a $10 bottle from Kroger) we had an encounter with the owner and his wife. It was unpleasant, degrading and something I will never forget (although a bit funny because they are the epitome of white-privilege, rich people who do not care about their customers and when caught showing their true colors would probably appall their clientele). After doing a bit of research (so I could verify why their snobbish-ness was so overwhelming) I discovered that there is very little about this couple that would have you believing that the only reason they got into wine making is so they can brag to their ultra-rich, Ivy league friends that they are cultured and successful. In a time of a pandemic, their true colors shine so brightly like that of a spotlight that's shooting into space to say: 'You commoners disgust me and your only value to us is to purchase our over-priced, crappy wine'. This is a good reminder that first impressions are *everything* and you cannot judge someone (us) by the clothes one wears or the car one drives . We are probably the last people you want to insult (hence by this amazingly, eloquent review, am I right?!) And so, with that, I end my review as I attempt to sip the Sauvignon Blanc with literally the worse bouquet I've ever encountered. It wreaks of horse manure and white privilege. Happy Quarantine!

So yeah. Where have you been all my life? Or at least why haven't I known about this spot since I've lived in Virginia? Know this, if you go on the weekend it will get busy. We went in February but the weather was real nice. It was a little after noon when we got there. We decided to leave our name to have lunch. She said it may be about an hour. Sure no problem. We will just get a drink. (Note to self. Make a reservation.) We went to the bar and it was full of people. Most were doing flights of wine. Took about 10 minutes to get a spot at the bar. We actually bought a bottle of wine and went outside to relax. There was a fire outside, a bunch of seats, and a whole lot of relaxing. Most people were relaxing and enjoying the day. Probably one of the coolest things was that there were a few kids running around out back. Cool to me cause I could bring a kid. But didn't care when we went sans kid for a date. We wound up leaving before we had lunch. But I know we will go back. Talked to the hostess and she said next time we should make a reservation.

Beautiful views, great wine to choose from. We did the wine flight kit (10 wines) ordered a bottle and got a roast wet sandwich and not. Food was great too, took out wine and sat by the water view, so relaxing.

This place is absolutely gorgeous! I can't believe I didn't know this gem was located so close to Richmond. Oftentimes, I visit vineyards in VA that only have one or two wines that I like. I can definitely say that enjoyed most of the selection they have to offer via the tasting menu. I decided to go with the Chardonnay with a delicious cheese plate. I can't wait to come back again and see if the lunch menu is as tasty as it looks.