Wine, Whiskey, Mystery and More

Elkin, NC, USA

P
Patty
  • Email address verified
448 reviews
Jun 15 - 16, 2023
Group size: 35 - 45
Wine, Whiskey, Mystery and More
Elkin, NC, USA

Patty
  • Email address verified
448 reviews

Jun 15 - 16, 2023
Group size: 35 - 45

About this trip

6 SEATS REMAIN FOR THIS TRIP!  

This overnight trip is an educational and entertaining journey as we experience the variety of wine, whiskey, mead and spirit offerings in the rolling Piedmont hills of North Carolina. We meet the entrepreneurs who have transformed neglected lands, buildings and even an old prison into successful award winning businesses.    Featured stops include Starlight Mead in Pittsboro for an exploration of mead (wine made from honey). Maybe you’ve heard of mead from literature (Beowulf, Shakespeare, Harry Potter…) but you will discover it offers much more than just the preconceived sweet taste.  The stop at Windsor Run Cellars takes us to the middle of what once was the bootleg capital of the country.  Here, we learn about the differences in wines from spirits, what does "proof" mean and all kinds of interesting "spirited" trivia to make you really smart at cocktail parties!  We cap off the day with a Murder Mystery Dinner at Shadow Springs Vineyard, offering not only delicious wines and a gorgeous mountain range view but also a hysterical "who done it".   The trip home on Day Two, introduces us to Southern Grace Distillery aka the Whiskey Prison.  This is such a unique experience as we learn about the history of this retired, 1929 prison campus as well as the creation of award winning Conviction Bourbon. The method for aging the bourbon will surprise you!


Lunches and Dinner

As we get closer to departure date, you will receive an email with lunch selections for your choosing.  On Day One we will have a box style lunch at Starrlight Mead.  You will be able to choose a sandwich type accompanied with chips, cookie and bottled water.  

Day Two lunch will be a more robust box selection offered at 73 & Main in Mount Pleasant following our tour at the Southern Grace Whiskey Prison.  Choices will include a 73 & Main Burger; Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich; Crab Cake Sandwich or Mixed Greens Salad Topped w/ Grilled Chicken.   Food allergy substitutions can be made for both lunches.  

The Murder Mystery Dinner will be buffet style with a complimentary glass of wine. The menu will also be emailed closer to the trip date.   A cash bar will be available too.  



What’s included

  • Transportation
    On a luxury 56 passenger coach
  • Accommodations
    Fairfield Inn & Suites in Elkin
  • Meals
    Breakfast at the hotel, 2 lunches and dinner included
  • Tours
    Tours at Windsor Run Cellars and Southern Grace Distillery
  • Tastings
    Tastings at Starrlight Mead, Windsor Run Cellars, Shadow Springs Vineyards and Southern Grace Distillery
  • Snacks & Water
    Available on the bus
  • Trip host
    The trip is guided and coordinated by Patty

Available Packages

Double occupancy - 1 King Bed
$390
Double occupancy -2 queen beds
$390
Single Occupancy
$425


Itinerary

Two day/one night trip
Wine, Whiskey, Mystery and More

DAY ONE

8:30am - Depart Compass Pointe

Approx. 11:30am -Tasting followed by box lunch at Starrlight Mead

Approx. 3pm - Check-in at hotel in Elkin

Following check-in, make short trip to Windsor Run Cellars for tour & tasting.  After our time at Windsor Run Cellars,  Shadow Springs Vineyards is just around a country block for our Murder Mystery Dinner evening.  

DAY TWO

9am - Departure for Southern Grace Distillery

Approx. 10:30 - Tour and tasting

12:30pm - Lunch at 73 & Main

Approx. 1:30pm - Departure for Leland

5pm - Arrive at Compass Pointe


Your Organizer


P
Patty
448 reviews
I love to travel so in my partially retired life I decided to adapt my passion for travel along with 25 years of experience in Travel & Tourism to create Trips by Patty. I received a BA in American History from UNC-Chapel Hill. Not knowing what I was going to do with that degree, I started working as a desk clerk at a hotel in Raleigh. I enjoyed the hotel business and the career path began. Hotel operations and sales, Convention Center operations and marketing, destination marketing with a Convention Visitors Bureau and even a stint as a tour guide. What happened to the history degree? Well, many times when I am escorting my trips I share the history of the destinations we visit. It's a great feeling to take your career skills and adapt them to your own small business. I love what I do and hope you'll join me on a trip one day!

Reviews

We had a great time on excursion to Charlottesville. We packed a lot into our 3-day trip. Patty Rogers and the Waterford Travel group did a great job organizing the trip! Would definitely do it again.
By Kenneth D for Experience Charlottesville on Jun 13, 2025
We had a wonderful time. The "excursions" were varied and we left with a ton of information re: President Thomas Jefferson and the University of Virginia as well as the home of President James Monroe. The last stop at the Virginia winery was perfect. Patty always "delivers"! She is organized and everything runs smoothly. She also has as excellent assistant and Donnie, our driver, is fantastic. My husband and I highly recommend Trips by Patty for those short get aways that you didn't know you needed until you experienced them!
By Patricia M for Experience Charlottesville on Jun 12, 2025
Well organized, just right for planned activities and free time.
By Anna B for Asheville and Winston Salem - Treasures & Blooms on Jun 02, 2025
Patty does a great job organizing and filling our days with great things to do and keeping everyone apprised of what's coming next and what time, etc. I only wish we had more free time to leisurely browse shops in Asheville. Thank you, Patty
By Dana M for Asheville and Winston Salem - Treasures & Blooms on Jun 01, 2025
This was a lot packed into 3 days but Patty managed to make it all work. King Tut, Andrew Wyeth, and gardens galore- a great trip.
By Barbara H for Asheville and Winston Salem - Treasures & Blooms on Jun 01, 2025
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