A few weekends ago, my Ride or Dies and I traveled to Cleveland, SC to visit Victoria Valley Vineyards. We were supposed to stop by Caeser’s Head first for a light hike, but decided the vineyard would keep us busy enough since we were only there for the day. This was our first vineyard trip together since 2023, so it was a particularly special occasion.
I wish I had started this blog years ago when we first began our winery and vineyard tours. It would be nice to have a visual and written record of all the places we’ve patronized. We have visited A LOT of establishments and tasted copious amounts of diverse wines. I think one day, I’ll try to put together a master list, but for now I’ll have to settle for getting a very late start on this project.
Victoria Valley Vineyards resides in Upstate South Carolina northwest of Greenville. It’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Table Rock and offers idyllic scenery for the activities of noshing and wine tasting. We commenced our visit upstairs for food and flights against the backdrop of cheerful live music. The warm bread with oil, which is what we started with, is the perfect appetizer for any wine-related field trip, but Victoria Valley’s was so soft it melted on your tongue. My favorite dipping oil was the balsamic vinaigrette, though my cohorts would disagree. The olive oil and Italian spices were milder, however, if you don’t like a strong taste of vinegar. Before our sandwiches arrived (I recommend the chicken salad wrap), we ordered pretty much the entire wine menu in flights to get an idea of what we liked. I thought the Table Rock Red contained the perfect amount of spice and brawniness, but we also enjoyed their Viognier and Pinot Grigio. Their Pinot Grigio was probably the group favorite, as it was so light and refreshing it was as easy as drinking water. Dangerous? Sure. Regrettable? Definitely not.
After we finished eating, along with a bee who nurtured a major sweet tooth on my cousin’s cheesecake (can’t blame him, it was superior cheesecake), we drifted downstairs with a bottle of the Pinot Grigio and sat at one of the high tables under the awning. Downstairs was much less crowded and quieter, so we settled into the afternoon and caught up on each other’s lives like old times. I think we all would agree it was good for our individual and collective souls. We don’t get to hang out as often as we did in our pre-pandemic years, so anytime we do it feels nostalgic and rejuvenating. I can’t wait until we get together again and look forward to our next vineyard outing!
I think it goes without saying that if you’re in the area or a roadtrip’s distance from Victoria Valley Vineyards, you should definitely stop by for a visit. The scenic landscape paired with a bottle of wine, cozy conversation, and delicious carbs makes this place a must see for any wine lover. Dogs are welcome, too!
Lauren Michelle Brock 