Virginia Wine Expo — Local services in Richmond

My husband and I drove over from Charlottesville for the wine expo. Due to the fact that my experience ended abruptly with nausea and vomiting, I wanted to provide my feedback to improve the event in the future. (This post was originally an email, but no one responded to me.)

First, let me be clear that I am not and have never been a person who intentionally over-imbibes. I typically nurse one or two drinks over the course of several hours, and am almost always the designated driver. In spite of this, I have managed to successfully tour 20 Virginia wineries and the Kentucky bourbon trail over the years without succumbing to drunkenness.

With responsibility in mind, before this event I ate a large early lunch, brought snacks with me, drank about 5 glasses of water over the course of three hours, and even took a 45 minute break around 1:00 when I could feel myself getting tipsy. I visited 4 booths in the first hour and another 4 after my break. At that point, I drank a glass of water and sat back down. Within another 45 minutes, I was vomiting and being sternly told by a security guard that I needed to leave the premises or he would have to call the police.

As I was fully incapacitated by nausea at this time, threats of arrest were terrifying. I wasn't attempting to stand, drink, or even speak to anyone. Nevertheless, my husband and I left promptly, as instructed, and went back to our vehicle.

The problem was that I was still vomiting, in a town I don't live in, and without a way to get home, as my husband doesn't drive. I vomited for another 45 minutes in the parking lot before my husband finally called an ambulance, which took me to the hospital. Because we did not have local resources, we ended up incurring $700 in medical bills.

I believe the severity of my reaction could have been quelled if there had been a few public health measures in place:

Tastings were provided at a very quick pace, which meant that the attendee had to drink quickly in order to taste the next selection.

Improvement: advise booth staff to pour less in glasses or serve tastings at a slower pace.

Most booths did not have a spitoon/bucket to pour excess wine into, and due to the crowds, it was difficult to step away from the booth to pour out overages before coming back for the next pour.

Improvement: require all booths to have a spitoon.

There was very little free food available at or near booths.

Improvement: require booths to serve crackers.

The security guard's management of my situation left us essentially out on the streets with nowhere to go.

Improvement: have a few "ambassadors" who are watching for signs of drunkenness, nausea, and alcohol-poisoning who can advise on where to go to sober up, call a taxi, help book a hotel, etc.

It's also worth considering that I was treated like an alcoholic for not being able to hold my liquor when the reality is that most people at the event likely drank more than I did in the same time frame. I was told to leave because I made the event look bad. Others were treated hospitably merely because of their high tolerance levels.

Needless to say, you don't need to worry about me ever...

The Virginia Wine Expo Smoked event was overpriced for what they offered at their event this year. There was a lack of tasty smoked food choices that would have paired better with the bourbon and whiskey selections offered. There was inadequate seating for the amount of people in attendance, as well. Zack Artis is an incredible guitarist, he should have been set up in the center of the event, so people could have enjoyed his music throughout the venue. There was ample room to set up more seating areas for the amount of people who attended this event.

Ironclad, Three Crosses and Uncle Nearest Distilleries had the best bourbons and whiskey selections there. You can go to these distilleries on your own and have a great experience. They offer fun educational tours, tastings, delicious food pairings, beautiful venues and excellent service.

We were very disappointed this year. We seriously doubt anyone from our group will return to the Virginia Wine Expo events at Main Street Station. The Virginia Wine Expo has changed drastically and gone downhill ever since the last Burger Blast at the Richmond Convention Center. ...

The location was beautiful but the Convention Center is much better. It was too crowded and we didn't have enough time. My girlfriend and I spent over $400 last year. This year we didn't even spend $200 because we didn't have enough time. And you had to go downstairs for the bathroom. It was HORRIBLE. Move it back to the Richmond...