When you first get to La Belle Amie, you are greeted by the beautiful oak trees and the winery’s two dogs, Bella and Amie. Once you park you can enter the gift shop first to browse around and sign up for a tour and wine tasting. The gift shop is adorable and the staff was very friendly. The shop has everything you need from wine glasses, coasters, wine racks, corkscrews to a variety of sauces, salsas, relishes and flavored cooking oils and a lot of unique gifts you just don’t see anywhere else.
Of course if you go to the winery, you are looking for a new flavor of wine to enjoy. Make sure to enjoy the $5.50 wine tasting. You will get to sample 6 different wines and even keep the glass. After you have enjoyed your wine and you wrote down the flavors you want to get before you leave, it is time to tour the vineyard. There is guided and self-guided tours. I recommend doing the guided tour. There is a lot of history you can learn about the vineyard and the staff is very eager to share the stories. The Self-guided tours are available Mon-Sat from 10am – 4pm. Guided vineyard tours for groups fewer than 15 are given on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and non-festival Saturdays at 11am, weather permitting. Please call to reserve a spot for these tours.
The vineyard tours are hosted by Vicki, the owner, and consist of a dialogue on the farm operations, details on the grapevines and the history of La Belle Amie Vineyard. She also has a wonderful knowledge of Carolina flora and of Carolina Bays, unique geological formations, one of which is located next to the wine and gift shop.
Along with the wine tastings, vineyard tours and gift shop, La Belle Amie has monthly festivals. These festivals have themes and include: Music, Wine and a beautiful outdoor venue. It is a great way to spend the afternoon. Below is the schedule of events for the rest of 2011. All you need to bring is your friends, a lawn chair and enjoy the company, the music, the wine and the warmth of the vineyard.
To learn more about La Belle Amie, visit http://www.LaBelleAmie.com. They are located at Hwy 90 & St. Joseph Road (just West of NMB Middle School), 1120 St. Joseph Road, Little River, SC • 843-399-WINE.
List of Festivals:
June 11 – First Blush of Summer Music Fest
July 2 – Independence Music Blast @ La Belle Amie
July 30 – Summer Parrot Head Festival
August 20 – Whole Lotta Shakin' Oldies Music Fest
September 3 – Summer Breeze Music Fest
October 1 – Big Band Sounds Festival
October 15 – Rock Back The Clock Festival
November 5 – Island Fever Music Festival
November 19 – WineStock
December 3 – Winter Blues Music Fest
