Shirley Plantation celebrates 400 years

Shirley Plantation is highlighting its 400th anniversary celebration with wine tasting and ghost tours on Oct. 12 from 2:30-5:30 p.m.

The plantation will unveil its newest wine, Shirley Plantation Chardonnay, as well as a variety of wines from the Philip Carter Winery.

The plantation is proud to partner with the winery to call attention to the Carter family’s heritage of wine-making in Virginia. The Carter family is considered the first family of America wines due to the efforts of Charles Carter of Cleve Plantation, brother of John Carter of Shirley Plantation.

Along with the wine tasting, tour the Great House and learn about the bewitching spirit of “Aunt Pratt,” the legendary ghost of Shirley Plantation and the spirits of 11 generations of the Hill Carter family to live at Shirley. Guests can also relax by the river and enjoy a selection of wine and appetizers at the celebration of Virginia’s oldest plantation. Julian Charity, the author of Courage at Home and Abroad: The Military History of Shirley Plantation, will be available to sign books as well.

The event is free for Shirley Plantation Foundation members and is $10 per person for the general public in addition to regular admission to Shirley. Reservations are required for the wine tasting and must be received by Oct. 11.

The Shirley Plantation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity foundation dedicated to the education and preservation of American history. Memberships and donations help to insure that the plantation will remain open to the public so future generations can experience this unique historical site.

The plantation is open Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and from 12:30-4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Regular admission is $11 for adults and $7.50 for youth (6-18), with discounts for AAA members, seniors and military.

For information about the event or the plantation itself, visit www.shirleyplantation.com or call 1-800-232-1613.