A Williamsburg Staycation
Her face seemed kind. Knowing. She stopped in the middle of the path we now all shared. I think of a Doe as brown or beige, but in the woodland shade her winter coat shined an uncountable range of subtle colors.
Our time together was less than a minute but felt suspended, much longer. She turned her head forward with what I imagined was appreciative ease. Then easy stepped from the path into the brush. We remained still until she was far clear.
We stay at Wedmore Place for the quiet.
On this early morning, we were hiking a path created by the former owner to explore the nature behind Wedmore Place and adjacent Williamsburg Winery. Though the center of Williamsburg shopping and exploring is only a ten-minute drive, Wedmore's welcoming wind-down is often our only destination.
The hike to College Creek is a two-mile round trip. The sprawling acres around the grounds and vineyards offer a lovely stroll by themselves. The Boutique Hotel features hidden nooks and gems, with an old-world feeling courtyard, a beautiful outdoor pool, and we always make time for the library. Bringing coffee, finding books, and lounging in the civilized surround of literature and leather.
We met owner Patrick Duffeler on a back property exploration on our first visit. Raking dead-fallen and fussing with a tractor, I thought him a working hand. As he offered casual conversation without announcement, it took M a few minutes to recognize him. I, as usual, remained oblivious. He explained the path to and through the woodlands was nearing completion, sharing how the woodlands themselves were first planted in the 1980’s as the Winery took shape.
He created Wedmore Place in 2007 as adjacent accommodation to the vineyards. Since our hometown is less than an hour south, historic Williamsburg, Virginia used to be a day trip. Thanks to Wedmore Place, we’ve learned to savor the pleasure of staying. It has the expected Williamsburg faux-English façade, but thankfully no one dresses in period garb or speaks with bad British accents. A personal favorite is the inviting lobby, with the creaky board floors, a grand fireplace, and dutiful suit of armor guard.
The three levels offer four levels of room style. To date, we’ve always chosen the Standard, to stay in our staycation budget. The rooms are quite large and decoratively inspired by European provinces. Browsing their website photos for choice is fun before bedtime. We’re slowly overnighting our way through the themes.
Duffeler sold Wedmore Place in 2023, but, thankfully, so far, corporate hands haven’t changed too much. The working fireplaces have been shut down, but the upside is things no longer smell of smoke. The downside is they dropped the free bottle of wine at check-in. Bummer.
We stay at Wedmore Place for the wine.
The Williamsburg Winery is the original story of the property and the company, so the view from the Wedmore windows is always about wine. The stay does still include a complimentary tasting, and with check-in time at the tasting time, we always plan on staying in place for night one.
The choice is either the tasting room or, in season, a lovely two-story open-air pavilion. The upper deck looks either south at the works, or north at the vines known as Wessex Hundred. We prefer the Wessex Hundred choices when it comes to bottles from the shop. The quality awakened our taste for Virginia grown vintages. And of course, there’s food.
We go to Wedmore Place for the food.
First, or maybe it’s second, you get breakfast. Second since it’s usually our second actual meal since check-in. The included buffet is served every morning in one of our favorite spots, the back sun porch overlooking the pool. Our recent visit featured scrumptious quiche and to hell with my mostly vegetarian ways, I took extra sausages.
And we’ll always make reservations at the Gabriel Archer Tavern. Again, part of the Winery and a mere couple hundred paces from the Wedmore front door. We’ve learned that having lunch is a better experience than dinner. Lunch as our one big meal works best for us anyway, since the evenings usually devolve into protracted snacking with more tastings.
Tasting tip: Once you find something you enjoy, order a bottle. As the tasting features four nearly full glasses, ordering the bottle immediately after might not be necessary.
Trip tip: Take the winery tour. It’s not included, so put this in the budget. The Extensive Tour is well worth the money. And pay attention. It’s a good tour. And there’s a tasting.
Beware tip: Wedmore Place does not understand coffee. A serious flaw. The rooms come with little Lavaza make a half cup from a plastic cup machines, but they don’t work. They have recently added a k-cup machine in the back hallway. Not a professional, connected to a water line type, but the cheapo model, so you might find yourself filling the water in the bathroom, or impatiently waiting for breakfast to open.
For this reason, however, Wedmore inspired us to begin traveling with our own pour-over kit. Sunrise getaway coffee has never been better, and I will be forever grateful.
Through our few years of visiting Wedmore Place has been a consistent three-star experience. The current corporate cost cutting has it leaning more toward two than four.
But we’ve never gone, nor will we ever go to Wedmore for the service.
We visit Wedmore Place for the quiet. And for the wine. And for the food.
And for the wine.
1. Cover photo, Wedmore Place, view from behind the Williamsburg Winery, Author photo.
2. The trail behind Wedmore Place. It's about a mile to College Creek. Beware the hunting seasons. Locals have built a number of blinds. Author photo.
3. The Wedmore Place library room. Author photo.
4. The Wedmore Place lobby, view from second level, Author photo.
5. Two Tradition room choices, Corinthian and Bohemia, Author photos.
6. Visit before the harvests to see grapes at the ready, Author photo.
7. The breakfast room, Author photo.
8. M says thanks for reading from the Wedmore Place pool, Author photo.
© Copyright William Hazel, 2025
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