Grapetown Vineyard — Attraction in Fredericksburg

From the moment we arrived at Grapetown Farm & Vineyard, we knew we were in for a treat. Thanks to the generous donations from “The Victory Cup” and owner Greg, accessed through the Vet Tix website, we embarked on a delightful Wine Tasting and Safari Tour that exceeded all expectations.

Greeted with Warmth: Rick, with his infectious smile and positive demeanor, set the tone for what was to be an exceptional day. It was evident that Greg's passion for Grapetown had permeated every aspect of the experience, reflected in the warmth and professionalism of every staff member we encountered.

A Serene Escape: The wine barn offered a serene escape where we indulged in a cocktail and soaked in the picturesque views. It was the perfect prelude to our adventure.

Up Close with Nature: Anita led us on an enchanting foot tour, introducing us to the farm's most adorable residents, from baby goats to a six-day-old camel. The opportunity to feed and interact with these animals was truly heartwarming.

Safari Adventure: Roger then whisked us away on a tractor-drawn safari cart for a 45-minute journey through lush pastures. We marveled at the sight of longhorn cattle, bison, deer, and even zebras. Both Anita and Roger's expertise and courteousness enriched the tour, making it both educational and thoroughly enjoyable.

Wine Tasting Delight: Under Rose's expert guidance, we savored an array of exquisite wines, including the Confetti Sweet Rose and the Luke Syrah, which were so delightful that we couldn't resist taking a bottle home.

Engaging Conversations: Post-tasting, the open wine barn bar provided a convivial atmosphere where we chatted with Rose and learned more about Greg's vision. His dedication to creating a family-friendly winery, complete with rides, games, and animals, is truly commendable. As an Airforce Veteran with a love for Polo, Greg's commitment to sharing his passions is evident in every corner of Grapetown.

Highly Recommended: Grapetown Farm & Vineyard is a gem that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone visiting the Fredericksburg area. We're already planning our next visit to partake in their AirBnB-style camping adventures. A five-star experience through...

So yesterday, these guys hosted a "hot air balloon extravaganza" with some safari wine tasting and a bunch of random filler activities. I bought General Admission tickets for my mom and me, which came to about $35 per person (because who doesn’t love extra taxes and fees?). Then, as a cherry on top, they squeezed an extra $25 for parking. And here’s the kicker: if you don’t prepay, it’s apparently ~$60 at the gate—because who doesn’t love being held hostage for parking?

According to their website and email, GA ticket holders weren’t supposed to show up before 5 PM for the balloons, which were conveniently scheduled to inflate after 6 PM and hang around until 9. Perfect plan, right? Wrong. We arrived a little before 6 PM, and surprise, everything was already wrapping up. No one to guide us through the chaos, no organization, and no clue what was happening. The balloons? Already inflated and mid-ride. So glad I paid for the privilege of missing everything. Ohh and there were just two balloons that ran out of fuel at 8 pm. So they missed their mark on that too.

Let’s talk value: $95 for some safari wine tasting nonsense? Insane. You could head to Grape Creek Vineyards (or basically anywhere else) and have a fantastic wine-tasting experience for $45. At least they won’t shake you down for parking. And General Admission? They might as well have charged for air, because there was literally nothing to see.

Oh, and about those glowing 5-star reviews—they make so much more sense after seeing their classic bribery tactics. A photo in the hall proudly advertising: "Give us 5 stars and get a free glass of wine!" A cheap trick for cheap wine.

One redeeming factor: the Apple Pie wine. It was actually good. But $17.50 for a small glass? They’ve clearly confused their pricing strategy with fine art auctions.

So yeah, a complete waste of $95. Next time, I’ll just throw my money directly into the wind and call it a day—at least that way I’ll get my own hot...

This place is tucked away 15min outside the main fredricksburg area which makes it perfect place to visit while in the area. Upon arrival its a bit difficult to know youre on the right path after the initial turn in but keep following the winding road past the incredible views of various animals! Apparently their main draw is the safari tours (very popular).. where else will you see cappybaras, longhorns, ostriches...etc!?

The pavilion is especially wonderful in decor and placement- Right overlooking the hills and vineyard. Live music puts a nice touch on the vibes! The place was a bit understaffed (it seemed) for the rush...balancing grapestomp, tours and wine tasting but we got there right at noon and quick access to everything esp the best seating for the views! Staff very accommodating and friendly, nonetheless. We were there for the wine tasting and grapestomp. Wine tasting was 10/10 ...the flights were perfect for my pallet. The grapestomp (however) was quite underwhelming. My hope is they'll put more effort into making the area surrounding the basin more welcoming and the experience not so obviously budget based or rushed. We felt we drove 4hrs and paid $30 (even waited for 3hrs from noon to 3pm) for 2-5min experiemce of simply stepping on what seemed to be non-vinyard grapes thrown into a bucket with a block of ice. Only to step out into a small water bucket with paper towels and huge red ants waiting for you. Obviously this isn't their main draw so maybe things will change if more folks invested in it. Unsure. Nevertheless id say take the kids for the safari tour or take a day date with friends to simply wine down and catch views with live music. Maybe skip the grapestomping for now. Overall still 4star experience for our...