When guests ask who will be driving them, there's a good chance my answer is "my dad." His name is Barry, and he's one of our driver-guides at Absolute Charm Wine Tours. He's also the one guests mention most in their reviews.
I started this company in Fredericksburg in 2018, and Dad has been behind the wheel since the early days. Here's how that happened, and why I love that he's still doing it.
How it started
In 2018, I kept hearing the same question from guests staying with us in Fredericksburg: "Who can drive us to the wineries?" They wanted to enjoy the tastings without anyone stuck being the designated driver, and they wanted someone local who knew where to go. So I started Absolute Charm Wine Tours to be the answer.
Dad has been driving since the early days. He knows the 290 wine trail cold: which tasting rooms work best for a big group, how long the drive really takes between stops on a busy Saturday, and where to send you for dinner afterward. That kind of knowledge doesn't come from a map. It comes from doing it, week after week.
Today we run every tour from our office at 709 West Main Street, and Dad is one of the driver-guides who make it all work.
What guests say about him
I could tell you he's great, but our guests say it better. These are straight from our reviews:
"Barry was great at introducing everyone, and I felt like I was visiting the wineries with friends."Connie B.
"Our driver (Barry) was so attentive and made the trip so enjoyable. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who wants to have a good time in Fredericksburg!"Roque R.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my tour with Barry. He was knowledgeable about the town and each winery. The van was luxurious and the snacks were delicious."Courtney L.
That first one is my favorite. A van full of strangers at 1 PM, and friends by 5. That's Dad.
And this one sums up what every one of our guides works for:
"Upscale, relaxing, and superior is how I describe our experience. Excellent driver and host, friendly, informative, and attentive."Sarah A.
What a day with Dad looks like
- He learns names fast. By the first stop, everyone in the van has been introduced.
- He keeps you comfortable. Cold water and snacks on board, and your bottles ride in the cooler between stops.
- He knows the stories. Ask him about the town, the wineries or where to eat. He'll have an answer.
- He gets you home. Right back to your door around 5 PM, so nobody has to be the designated driver.
He's not the only one
Dad isn't our only driver-guide, and I'm proud of every person on our team. Each of them knows the wineries, the town and the stories behind both. But if you see a smiling guy in a white polo waving from the Sprinter, say hello to Dad. He'd love to meet you.
More than the tours
Dad and I also own Bubbly together, a historic B&B one block from downtown with two suites, Champagne and Prosecco. And I'm a luxury REALTOR® with Absolute Charm Real Estate Group, so between the three, we spend a lot of time showing people what we love about this town. You can read more on our About page.
Savannah's tip: Staying at Bubbly and touring with us? Pickup and drop-off at your in-town lodging are included, so your wine day starts at the front door.
Next time you ride with us, tell Dad I said hi.
Savannah
Quick answers
Who owns Absolute Charm Wine Tours?
Savannah Sikes, a Fredericksburg local, started Absolute Charm Wine Tours in 2018. It's woman-owned and locally owned, and tours run from our office at 709 West Main Street.
Who will drive our wine tour?
One of our local driver-guides. Barry, Savannah's dad, is one of them and the guide guests mention most in reviews. Every guide knows the wineries and the town.
How are Absolute Charm Wine Tours rated?
We're rated 4.9 stars on Google from 299 reviews.
Make it easy on yourself
Pickup at your in-town lodging, every stop reserved, and a local driver-guide at the wheel. Rated 4.9★ from 299 Google reviews.
