wine tour hilton head

Sip, Savour, Shop

Experience “retail therapy” in a whole new way.

Discover Honey & Thistle, a wine-tasting room and gift shop located in iconic Harbour Town.

Wine, Mead and Beer

We feature an ever changing selection of international and domestic boutique wines, locally crafted meads, and British Craft Beers. Wine tastings available daily. Private wine events may be booked as well. 

Fine Imported Goods

Most of our products are sourced from the British Isles: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. We'd love to show you around our store and help you find the perfect gift or something new just for you.

It would be impossible to have a British inspired shop without tea and we are proud to import ours directly from Edinburgh, Scotland. Of course we have the biscuits, shortbread, honey, jams, crisps, toffee and other delectables to accompany the perfect cup.

Regional Artisans

We are very fortunate to live on an island with amazing artisans, and we are pleased to be able to offer locally made art in our shop. From photography, to oil paintings, to fine art prints, as well as journals and jewelry, you'll find a great variety of style and beauty.

Upcoming Events

List of services.

Join us for Thirsty Thursday where we feature generous pours of four amazing wines with a hearty spread of cheese and charcuterie. Our wine curator will walk you through the wines, imparting interesting information about the wines, vintners, and winemaking techniques. Thursdays 5pm-7pm, $25 per person. Must be 21 or older to participate. 

Join us for Pub Night the second Monday of each month where we feature a flight of four fine British brews along with pub snacks. Second Monday of each month 5pm-7pm, $15 per person. Must be 21 or older to participate. 

We are pleased to offer private tastings for groups of 8 or more. These tastings can be customized and usually include cheese & charcuterie. Uses the link below to contact us if you are interested in hosting a group at Honey & Thistle.

Meet Katie and Ginevra, the dynamic daughter-in-law and mother-in-law duo behind Honey & Thistle. They met through a mutual love of a winemaker, Ginevra's son. They became fast friends and worked together in the family business, a Bed & Breakfast, Winery, and Events Venue in North Georgia.

In 2018 Katie and her husband, John, moved to Hilton Head Island, where John became the mead-maker at Bee-Town Mead and Cider. In the Spring of 2020, Ginevra and her husband John also moved to the Island and, within a year, sold the family business in North Georgia. 

Katie worked remotely in the weddings and events industry, and Ginevra became a realtor with Lighthouse Realty. In June 2022, they started Partout, LLC, and began providing curated wine-tasting/pairing events in private homes, sharing their love of wine and hospitality in a new format.

They realized they needed to procure specialty wines that just weren't available at local retailers, so they began looking for a brick-and-mortar space, and the concept for Honey & Thistle was born. Now they share their love of wine and hospitality in both businesses. 

That winemaker that brought them together has joined as their wine curator, and you can find him behind the wine bar at Honey & Thistle or hosting wines at a Partout event.

“My boyfriend and I visited the shop while vacationing. We had such a great time! We got to try some new wines and meads and even took a few home. The owner was extremely knowledgeable about wine and gave a fantastic tasting. I would recommend it to anyone!”

Heather F. via Google Review

“Thanks for hosting our Women's Club of Sea Pines wine tasting group! You all were awesome! I will be back to purchase wine.”

Nancy M. via Square Feedback

“Loved meeting John & his family. Perfect shop for this area. Cozy and comfy, not overwhelming! Perfect number of wines, smartly chosen variety! Can’t wait to come back!”

Renee L. via Square Feedback

We’d love to hear from you. Call us now at (843) 715-3391 or send a message using the form below we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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wine tour hilton head

149 Lighthouse Rd.,

Hilton head island, sc, (843) 715-3391, [email protected].

wine tour hilton head

The Carolina Tasting Room

Join us at The Carolina Tasting Room for all your drinking needs! We offer domestic and local craft beer, wine, and delicious wine smoothies. Bring the kids too! We’ve got non-alcoholic smoothies for the little ones to sip on.

We would love to give you a 6-course wine tasting from our collection of local and regional wines for just 3 dollars. Buy a bottle and your tasting is free! Our variety of wines includes white and red dry traditional to sweet fruit blends, as well as wines with local muscadine grapes!

Come find the perfect bottle for your next get together or for just a cozy night in!

We are near the Coligny Plaza stage, and we have tables and chairs outside our store for all our guests. Come check us out!

  • Contact Info

1 N Forest Beach Drive K-2 Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

7 Days a Week: 10:00am-8:00pm

Phone:  (843) 341-2999

Features and Deals

Buy 3 bottles and receive a free wine glass. Buy 6 bottles receive $10 off and a 6-pack bag Buy a case and receive 20% off

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Wine Tasting Tips

So you’re a newbie to wine tasting, and you’ve never set foot in a winery tasting room..

Wine Tasting Tips

Well, worry not. A tasting room is an area set aside in a winery where visitors are encouraged to sample the various wines before purchasing. Tasting rooms can range from a grand space to an intimate, informal area set among casks of aging wine.

Most tasting rooms keep regular hours so you can just show up whenever the wine sampling crave strikes. Most people who work behind the “tasting bar” are friendly and eager to help you find the wine you love. Tell them what flavors you like or if you like sweet drinks. They will pour a series of wines to suit your palette. There is no such thing as a dumb question in a tasting room, so don’t be shy about learning about the wines you are trying.

The tasting room staff will typically give you one fluid ounce of the wines you would like to taste. This is about 20 percent of a regular glass of wine. Keep this in mind and be sure to pace yourself. You don’t want to be that guy or gal who has a little too much fun at the wine tasting!

Most wineries have handy vessels where you can discreetly spit out your wine samples to prevent you from becoming too intoxicated.

Or if a particular wine does not agree with your tastebuds. Don’t be shy about using these vessels. Of course, don’t be afraid to get a full wine experience either by swallowing your wine. Just know your limit, particularly if you are the designated driver.

Once your wine is poured, hold your glass up to the light. Examine the color. Don’t worry if you can’t tell the difference between a ruby red and a garnet red. Just note the color so you can learn to spot a great wine in the future. Different wines have a unique ideal color range. Looking at the color helps to make sure that there are no impurities, bits of cork or insects sharing your wine.

Next, give the wine a little swirl in the glass.

Be gentle and get a little air in there. You look like a cool, savvy wine taster when you do this, so swish away like you own the place. Then, place your nose in the glass and inhale. Put your face right in there and try to get a good sniff. A great wine always smells fragrant. Smelling wine is a personal affair, and everyone detects different “essences” in their glass. “Hints of raspberry” and “new wood” are more descriptive than “grapey,” but in the end, the whole thing is subjective.

Now, the moment of truth: the taste! Have just a little sip; don’t chug it like a shot. You’re in a tasting room, not an ale house. Let the wine flow over every part of your tongue. Wine may be sweet or dry. Since sweetness is detected at the tip of your tongue, this may be the first thing you will note. Next, feel the wine roll to the sides of the tongue. You taste sour notes here, so this is where you will detect any acidic notes.

Finally, you taste bitter notes at the back of your mouth.

This is where very young or over-dry wines will leave you with an unpleasant aftertaste. You’ll feel any alcohol as a slight tingle in the back of your throat. Using these basic sensory inputs, you can then make a sophisticated analysis of a wine: “I tasted a semi-sweet, low-acid wine with hints of a gentle melon aftertaste.”

After the tasting, you should have a sense of what you like and don’t like. Don’t expect to love all of the wines you sample, but a good-tasting experience will leave you with at least one wine you’d like to purchase. If the winery you visit offers complimentary tastings, it is generally good etiquette to purchase at least one bottle of wine. If you were able to try 12 wines, the winery has poured the equivalent of half a bottle of wine, so don’t taste and waste.

Wine tasting for fun is far different than being a professional wine analyst for an auction house.

Don’t worry about getting all formal wine tasting steps just right. The tasting room is a great place to get started on a wine tasting journey. A good tasting room staff will give you all the encouragement you need in finding your inner-wine critic.

By Georgene Mortimer, Island Winery

The perfect bottle of wine awaits at Island Winery on Cardinal Road. 843-842-3141 or www.islandwinery.com .

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Island Winery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

  • Sun - Sun 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Mon - Sat 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • (0.86 km) Hampton Inn Hilton Head
  • (1.40 km) Island Links Resort By Palmera
  • (2.39 km) Seawatch At Island Club By Capital Vacations
  • (2.47 km) Marriott's Barony Beach Club
  • (2.19 km) Royal Dunes Resort
  • (0.30 km) Sprout Momma
  • (0.42 km) The Purple Cow
  • (0.68 km) Taste of Europe
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Top Food, Wine & Brewery Tours in Hilton Head, SC

Food & wine tours in hilton head.

  • Wine Tours & Tastings
  • Farmers Markets
  • Wineries & Vineyards
  • Distilleries
  • Beer Tastings & Tours
  • Cooking Classes
  • Distillery Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • The Best Of Hilton Head Shuttle
  • Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum
  • Southern Barrel Brewing Company Tavern
  • Hilton Head Distillery
  • Hilton Head Island Beach
  • Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines
  • Vagabond Cruise
  • Food Tours Hilton Head
  • Hilton Head Yacht Charter
  • Island Head
  • Hilton Head Brewing Company
  • Lowcountry Watersports
  • Burnt Church Distillery
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

wine tour hilton head

1. Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise

wine tour hilton head

2. Lowcountry Lunch Buffet Cruise in Hilton Head

wine tour hilton head

3. Hilton Head Morning Kayaking & Coffee Guided Tour

wine tour hilton head

4. Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience

wine tour hilton head

5. Mixology and Tapas Tour in Hilton Head

wine tour hilton head

6. Hilton Head's Only Brews Tour on the Island

wine tour hilton head

7. Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Starting at $4,750

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Food Tour

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

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Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

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Downtown Charleston Food Tour

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Sip History in a Secret Speakeasy Cocktail Class

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Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music

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wine tour hilton head

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Sip n Shop Savannah Tour

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Historical Drinking Tour of Savannah

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Wine Sippin', Tea Drinkin' & Tree Huggin' Tour: The Wadmalaw Adventure

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Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island of South Carolina

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Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise

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What travellers are saying.

Terry O

  • Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise
  • Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Starting at $4,750
  • Hilton Head Morning Dolphins & Donuts Cruise
  • Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise
  • Hilton Head Morning Kayaking & Coffee Guided Tour
  • Island Winery
  • The Farmer's Market at Sea Pines Center
  • Michael Anthony's Cooking Classes
  • Carolina Tasting Room

THE 5 BEST Hilton Head Food & Wine Tours

Food & wine tours in hilton head.

  • Wine Tours & Tastings
  • Farmers Markets
  • Wineries & Vineyards
  • Distilleries
  • Beer Tastings & Tours
  • Cooking Classes
  • Distillery Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • The Best Of Hilton Head Shuttle
  • Harbour Town Lighthouse and Museum
  • Southern Barrel Brewing Company Tavern
  • Hilton Head Distillery
  • Hilton Head Island Beach
  • Harbour Town Golf Links at Sea Pines
  • Vagabond Cruise
  • Food Tours Hilton Head
  • Hilton Head Yacht Charter
  • Island Head
  • Hilton Head Brewing Company
  • Lowcountry Watersports
  • Burnt Church Distillery
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

wine tour hilton head

1. Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise

wine tour hilton head

2. Lowcountry Lunch Buffet Cruise in Hilton Head

wine tour hilton head

3. Hilton Head Morning Kayaking & Coffee Guided Tour

wine tour hilton head

4. Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience

wine tour hilton head

5. Mixology and Tapas Tour in Hilton Head

wine tour hilton head

6. Hilton Head's Only Brews Tour on the Island

wine tour hilton head

7. Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Starting at $4,750

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Food Tour

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours

wine tour hilton head

Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

wine tour hilton head

Downtown Charleston Food Tour

wine tour hilton head

Southern Flavors of Savannah Walking Dessert Tour

wine tour hilton head

Sip History in a Secret Speakeasy Cocktail Class

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music

wine tour hilton head

Undiscovered Charleston: Half Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class

wine tour hilton head

Savannah Ghost Tour for Adults ALL Alcoholic Drinks Included

wine tour hilton head

Savannah Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl

wine tour hilton head

Cocktail Class in Congress Street Up

wine tour hilton head

Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Boo Hag & Brews Walking Ghost and Bar Tour

wine tour hilton head

Sip n Shop Savannah Tour

wine tour hilton head

Historical Drinking Tour of Savannah

wine tour hilton head

Wine Sippin', Tea Drinkin' & Tree Huggin' Tour: The Wadmalaw Adventure

wine tour hilton head

Trolley Tour in Wadmalaw Island of South Carolina

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise

wine tour hilton head

Charleston History and Hops Tour: Bar and History Walk

wine tour hilton head

Savannah Historic District Savory Foodie Tour By Junket

wine tour hilton head

Charleston Upper King Street Food Tour

wine tour hilton head

Bad Kitty Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl - Spooky, naughty ghosts

What travellers are saying.

Terry O

  • Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise
  • Private Yacht Charter in Hilton Head Starting at $4,750
  • Hilton Head Morning Dolphins & Donuts Cruise
  • Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise
  • Hilton Head Morning Kayaking & Coffee Guided Tour
  • Island Winery
  • The Farmer's Market at Sea Pines Center
  • Michael Anthony's Cooking Classes
  • Carolina Tasting Room
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A Culinary Tour of Hilton Head Island

How to eat your way through South Carolina's favorite Lowcountry getaway.

Located off the coast between Beaufort and Bluffton in the South Carolina Lowcountry, Hilton Head Island is a salty sea breeze getaway where wide beaches beckon, there are no bright street lights or vivid colors, and the buildings are often nestled in among the native live oak trees. Incorporated as a town in 1983, Hilton Head Island has been welcoming vacation travelers for decades, with their seafood being a main draw.

The island was once home to multiple commercial oyster processors, and Hudson's Seafood on the Docks , owned by Andrew Carmines, is a second-generation family-owned restaurant built atop a peninsula where one of those oyster plants once sat. Carmines has been shucking oysters since he was six, and checking in the shrimp deliveries right off the restaurant's dock since he was 13, making him an expert in all things seafood. Each year, the restaurant not only purchases close to 120,000 pounds of local shrimp, but also buys and serves local fish, oysters farmed by Carmines himself, and soft-shelled crab when it's in season. The best seat in the house is actually at the outdoor bar or patio, where seagulls cruise in the breeze overhead, freshly fried and butterflied shrimp arrive hot to the table, the oysters are cold and briny, and whatever is the whole fish of the day needs to be ordered for the table, especially if it's topped with mango salsa.

Tucked in across the island, the Fishcamp on Broad Creek offers Lowcountry traditions and stunning waterfront views that seem so iconic they could be a movie set. Spanish moss sways in the breeze from huge oaks that reach over the water, and there's a dock to wander out on while waiting for dinner to arrive. And keeping with the tradition of Fishcamp, that means Lowcountry Boil, a simply classic dish of boiled shrimp, corn on the cob, summer sausage, and potatoes, sprinkled with seasoning and served with melted butter and cocktail sauce. It's peel and eat shrimp 2.0, but the real secret is meandering through the dish, dipping a potato or two in the cocktail sauce, then drizzling some butter over the corn and taking a bite of sausage before peeling a sweet local shrimp. It's simply more than the sum of its parts.

For fancier seafood with Adriatic inspiration, chef and owner Nunzio Patruno from Italy's Puglia region calls the island home and at Nunzio , his namesake restaurant, serves local seafood among other Italian specialties (including Penne Baresane and Vitello Piccata) in a azure-colored dining room off New Orleans Road. There are local shrimp with cannellini beans, linguine with assorted seafood, and plenty of San Marzano tomatoes, and chef's specialty catch of the day, often garnished with herbs and other vegetables grown outside the kitchen door by the chef himself.

But Hilton Head Island isn't all seafood. The island is abuzz with praise for Nectar Farm Kitchen , a locally-focused breakfast and lunch eatery whose items include a grain bowl with pickled shiitake mushroom and a soft boiled egg, tomato handpies, a sangria that had one table asking for the recipe, and plenty of pancakes, smothered chicken, biscuits, and gravy. Light, bright, and with a small gift shop selling local honey and other honey-related gifts, Nectar is a great spot to score some gifts for the dog sitter or take home a souvenir of your own.

More souvenirs are available at One Hot Mama's — chef Orchid Paulmeier's signature BBQ sauces to be exact — a BBQ restaurant with a downhome atmosphere and some seriously good barbecue served on metal trays. Paulmeier melds her Filipino heritage with Lowcountry flavors and says "sweet, spicy, and saucy is the One Hot Mama's way," whether that is the baby back ribs, pulled pork barbecue, or even the sassy bits of bacon in the crust of the fresh pecan pie.

If all of this calls for a little outdoor recreation, there are beaches to explore, dolphins to watch on boating expeditions (the island is famous for their abundance of dolphins), and more than 60 miles of natural trails to explore by foot or on bike. With the wind in your hair and the mild winter temperatures, it's easy to get out and explore, and as a reward for all that fresh air, grab a croissant from Hilton Head Social Bakery , made by chef Philippe Feret, a motorcycle-loving second-generation baker who was previously the executive chef of the renowned Windows On The World Restaurant. Hilton Head Island is more than beautiful views and beachfront condos — there are some lovely bites and sips just waiting to be discovered.

Related Articles

Best Driving Vacations 2024: Go on the ultimate full-circle adventure around Lake Erie

Highlights include beaches, wineries, history and a stop in ontario to admire the natural wonder of niagara falls..

Horseshoe Falls, one of the three waterfalls that make up Niagara Falls, lies predominantly in Canada

Today we continue on our journey highlighting four of the best driving destinations from central Ohio.

From a circle tour of “our Great Lake” to the architectural wonders of a modernist sister city three hours away, these extraordinary adventures are wonderful ways to widen your horizons in 2024.

Today's installment is Part 3 of 4 destination packages from Columbus Monthly's annual travel guide. We hope you enjoy.

Part 1: Best Driving Vacations 2024: Explore the Northern Shore of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Experiencing Lake Erie

Lake Erie was the last Great Lake to be discovered and explored by European adventurers. Don’t make their mistake. And if you decide to do some lakefront exploring this year, consider something more than a quick trip to Cedar Point or Put-in-Bay . 

Sure, Ohio’s lakeshore is packed with fun and interesting destinations. But three other states and the Canadian province of Ontario also share the Lake Erie shoreline. A multiday international circle tour of our Great Lake offers something for every traveler, including wineries, history, city lights, natural delights, beaches and fun in, on or next to the water. 

From Columbus, a complete circle tour of the lake requires at least 12 hours of driving in total. So allow three or four days for a leisurely circumnavigation with plenty of stops along the way. 

Of course, it doesn’t matter which direction you circle the lake, but assuming your coin flip demands “counterclockwise,” a good first stop from Columbus is Ohio’s Grand River Valley wine region east of Cleveland. 

The region, which includes the Vines & Wine trail in Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, takes advantage of a lake-influenced microclimate to grow a wide variety of grapes, especially American-European hybrids that allow production of some tasty and sophisticated vintages. Several good lodging options in the area, including some at the wineries, also offer a good choice for a first night’s stay, especially after a few tastings. 

Part 2: Best Driving Vacations 2024: Take a Battlefield Tour of Pennsylvania and Maryland

Pennsylvania’s Presque Isle State Park is a large, sandy peninsula that juts into the lake, forming a natural barrier protecting the harbor at the city of Erie and featuring beaches, nature trails and plenty of room for stretching your legs before the next segment of the journey. Buffalo, New York, is a better travel destination than its reputation might suggest, at least if you visit after the last of the winter’s lake-effect snow has melted. The city has a number of sites associated with famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright , including the Martin House , one of Wright’s great achievements in Prairie-style architecture. 

Niagara Falls may be a cliche, but it’s a magnificent, awe-inspiring one. Cross the border into Canada for the best views of the natural wonder and the best places to spend the night. 

Remember, you’ll need a current passport to make the international crossing. (You don’t have a passport ? What are you waiting for?) Driving along the northern shore of Lake Erie reveals a stretch of lovely farms and orchards dotted by a series of lakeside towns, each seemingly more charming than the last. Port Stanley, Leamington, Kingsville, Amherstberg and others offer pleasant waterfront business districts with shopping, cozy bed and breakfasts, historic sites and restaurants and diners often featuring local and scrumptious lake-caught perch. 

Point Pelee National Park is situated on and around a natural point that sticks out far into the lake. It’s a prime spot for watching the migrating birds that use it as a jumping-off point before flying across the lake every spring. (And if you walk out to the very tip of the ever-shifting sandy-stony point, and pocket the last pebble above the waterline, you’ll have the southernmost point of the Canadian mainland as a souvenir.) 

Lake-rambling gamblers can, of course, play in the casinos of Toledo or Cleveland, but why not give the slots and tables a try at Caesars Windsor , across the border from Detroit (which has several casinos of its own)? The view of the Detroit skyline is quite lovely from Windsor. Plus, there’s something a bit exotic about placing a bet with colorful Canadian currency. And every $100 Canadian lost is only $75 American — so you’re already ahead! 

Toledo is another town that doesn’t get its tourism props, but be sure to stop by the National Museum of the Great Lakes at the Toledo Maritime Center on the Maumee River near downtown. The center has many great exhibits about all of the Great Lakes, including their natural history, commercial activity, shipwrecks, lighthouses and much more. Visitors can also tour the retired coal ship Col. James M. Schoonmaker, once the largest freighter on the lakes. 

From Toledo, a traveler can call it a tour and head south on U.S. 23 toward central Ohio, or continue along the lake to more familiar Ohio stops such as Port Clinton , Put-in-Bay, Sandusky and on to Cleveland. 

Or you might just be tempted to turn around and try the drive in the other direction. 

Where to Stay Along the Way 

The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake is a great place to stay while exploring Ohio wine country, and even offers a shuttle to and from several area wineries. Stays range from about $110 per night. Many hotels in Niagara Falls, Ontario, offer magnificent views, such as at the Hilton Fallsview , with rates for view rooms beginning at less than $150 per night. Lake Erie’s north shore has many cozy inns and B&Bs, including the Hallmark-cute Kettle Creek Inn in Port Stanley, with rooms beginning about $100 per night. thelodgeatgeneva.com , niagarafallshilton.com , kettlecreekinn.com   

This story is from the Best Driving Vacations package in the February 2024 issue of Columbus Monthly. 

Carolina Tasting Room

Hours updated 3 months ago

Photo of Carolina Tasting Room - Hilton Head Island, SC, US. Interior

Review Highlights

carolina-tasting-room-hilton-head-island photo FpmL863Kd04BxKCgl8DMDg

“ Tim made some great recommendations on the tastings and even wrote down some delicious island restaurants for us to try. ” in 7 reviews

Katie B.

“ Also have boozy slushees you can purchase and you can walk around Coligny plaza with your drinks. ” in 3 reviews

Jennifer N.

“ Highly recommend doing the tasting - $3 for 6 samples and free if you buy a bottle. ” in 3 reviews

Location & Hours

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1 N Forest Beach Dr

Coligny Plaza Shopping Center

Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

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About the Business

Carolina Tasting Room is a wine tasting room in Coligny Plaza directly across from the beach. We offer tastings of eight wines for 3$ …

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Overall rating

Photo of Kristine F.

If you haven't been, you definitely should! I can't believe I have lived an hour away from the gem for so long. Wine tasting for $3... you can't beat that. They have such a variety of dry and sweet wines. The Pino Colada is delicious. On a hot day.. try the sangria smoothie. You just can't go wrong here. Service was awesome! The lady working today was so friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive. We will be back for sure!

wine tour hilton head

For $3 why not do a wine tasting while in town ? Erin gave us the best experience. You pick 6 flavors you'd like to try and you can change your mind during the tasting. They provide you the name, flavors, where it's made and other fun facts of the wine you taste. I don't like dry wine and I love sweet flavors so most of mine were fruity and sweet. My favorite was the beach blush and my bf liked it as well so we bought a bottle. If you buy a bottle, your wine tasting is free. I think it's a great experience to try with friends, lover, etc. And the shop is so cute. They also have wine smoothies and even non alcoholic smoothies for kids. The prices weren't bad either so I think if you come to Hilton Head and want to find something for your itinerary, definitely try this place.

wine tour hilton head

The "moonshine" slushies were great , not to sure if there is actually moonshine in them... it doesn't feel like it. A little pricey even for a discounted refill. Great just to cool off

wine tour hilton head

This was such a fun experience as part of our trip to HHI! The person serving us was so kind and knowledgeable, it was great. The wine selection is great for a tasting of only $3 -- Even got merchandise after! Definitely recommend stopping by the Carolina Tasting Room! Great spot.

Interior

Found this little place by accident last year. They have oodles of wine mixes to try! From Margarita mixes, moonshine mixes and wine slush mixes. They've also have a wine tasting which is 6 tastings for $3. My mom was very excited! She had 1/2 of a margarita slush and a watermelon mix. I had 1/2 mange and 1/2 banana wine slush- mine was splendid. They also have a whole wall of wines! I think I've found my heaven and if anyone's I. The area stop here!

wine tour hilton head

See all photos from Katie F. for Carolina Tasting Room

Photo of Will D.

Don't go there for the slushees. There's no booze in the "moonshine" slushees and tastes like pure sugar.

Photo of M L.

This place is awesome! The woman who helped us out let us do a tasting, and then we got some smoothies as well, she was super sweet and knowledgeable, not to mention the wine was so good. 10/10 would recommend this place if you're in town!

Photo of Alexandra S.

The music they play is early 2000s and it's great I visited here with my boyfriend over Valentine's Day 2021. It was pouring all day so no one was out and about and we had the place to ourselves. Our bar tender was very friendly and pleasant. We ended up purchasing the Velvet Reserve. My boyfriend also got a beer to go. The wine tasting is $3 for 6 .5oz pours from the menu. If you purchase a bottle then the wine tasting is free. Since we were the only ones in the store I can't comment on their covid/social distancing standards. But, they do have plexiglass hanging between the bar tender behind the bar and where the guests stand for the tastings.

Wine tasting menu

Wine tasting menu

Photo of Chris A.

Checked this place out today while walking around the shops, got the strawberry rum. It was refreshing but couldn't really taste the rum. It was nice inside with all the wines to try and everything

strawberry rum

strawberry rum

Photo of Phedra K.

This was a little hard to find but when I called, they were very helpful with directions. The variety of wines is amazing and the tasting was only $3.00. One suggestion is to start offering the mini stemmed wine glasses for sale. You should also probably offer the wine slushees as an option during the tasting. Stools or maybe a low table and a few chairs would be a nice addition for those who do not want to stand the whole time. Overall, this was a good experience with great wines to try. I would definitely go back!

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COMMENTS

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  8. About

    Phone: 843-341-2999 Address: 1 N Forest Beach Dr Unit B, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

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  24. Carolina Tasting Room

    53 reviews and 72 photos of Carolina Tasting Room "On vacation in Hilton Head we stopped in at the Coligny Shopping Plaza after dinner because my friend mentioned that they had a little shop with wine slushies! We were going to get a slushy and walk around. Entering the tasting room (which happens to share a space with a sunglass store) we were greeted by a very friendly girl who offered to ...