Upper Shirley Vineyards

May 30, 2025. Upper Shirley Vineyards in Charles City County sits at the eastern edge of the Virginia Peninsula AVA along the James River. Hill Carter of the famous King Carter family split off Upper Shirley from the main plantation in 1866 and built the manor house in 1868. It is in the National Register of Historic Places. The current owner of the vineyards is Susan (Suzy) Dameron who opened the remodeled house as a restaurant in 2015. The main building is classic low-county architecture – horizontal to the ground with wide verandas framing the outside. When you come through the door, the tasting room and restaurant is to your left and the cavernous banquet room is to the right. Tasting Room ...