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Island Winery (SC) Review

Island Winery (SC) Review

Address: 12 A Cardinal Rd. Hilton Head,South Carolina 29926.
Phone Number: 843-842-3141
Tasting Hours: Mon-Sat 12:30- 5:30

Region: South Carolina
Reviewer: Natasha Stiles
Review Date: 7/3/2013
Reviewer: Natasha Stiles
Rating: 4

The Review

Island Winery is located near the Hilton Head Airport in South Carolina. The road to the winery contains numerous commercial-type businesses which makes the winery seem a bit off the beaten path. Like most places on the island, trees and other natural vegetation hide the structures making them difficult to find. Using a GPS device to navigate to the premises is advised. The winery building is shared with a neighboring business but is labeled with Island Winery’s circular logo. The entry is marked by a blue awning and scattered plants.

The Place:  &nbspThe outside of the winery isn’t much, but the inside is a little more interesting. The inside is divided into two sections. The first section you walk into is the wine purchasing, sampling, and display area. A traditional black chalkboard marking the featured wine and other specials hangs behind the wooden sampling bar on the right as you walk in. The winery also has a nice display in the center with their featured awards and publications. Many other honors are shown on the wall to the left near the register and wine display. The second half of the winery is a pub seating area among the aging wine barrels. This area is not fancy, as many of the supplies are hung behind the barrel racks. You can tell this area is not all for show but a working wine making facility. This isn’t the type of place where a hostess or owner hovers over you. If you’re looking for a place to hide from a rainy beach day, come here.

Tasting:  &nbspIsland winery offers many different, customizable wine tasting experiences. They offer single tastings, wine flights, happy hour, and barrel tastings. The traditional tastings allow for you to stand at the sampling bar with the wine hostess and try a few of the wine offerings. The wine flight includes your choice of three full glasses of wine and a generous cheese, cracker, and fruit plate which is large enough to share. Happy hour is an opportunity to socialize with other guests while sampling South Carolina wines from an exclusive menu and enjoy light appetizers. The barrel tasting allows you to compare wines that are in the process of aging versus the previous vintage of the same wine. In addition, you’ll get a wine flight or a glass of wine with a light appetizer.

The wines offered by Island Winery are a variety of fine reds and whites along with a collection of specialty low country wines. They have over ten wines to choose from and a little for everyone. They offer complimentary tastings during their regular business hours. If you would like more of an independent, on your own pace experience, wine flights are available daily for a cost of $10 per person. The social happy hour is available Monday-Thursday at 4pm for $15 a person and a reservation is recommended. Lastly, the $10 per person barrel tasting is only on Fridays at 4:00pm and a reservation is required. If you are in the area, stop in and give this South Carolina winery a try. You won’t be disappointed.