A live oak that old, plus tea made on-site. That’s a great combo. This 5-hour Charleston tour mixes a quick icon stop, a real factory visit at America’s only tea plantation, and a special look at Charleston’s only vineyard—with air-conditioned transportation and English guidance to keep the day easy.

Two things I like a lot: you get unlimited freshly brewed hot and cold tea during the plantation portion, and you’re not rushed through a bunch of random stops. One thing to think about first: wine tasting is not included, and optional trolley rides cost extra at the plantation, so your final spend can creep up if you add both.

Key Points You’ll Care About

• Small group (max 20) with luxury, air-conditioned transport
• Unlimited hot and cold tea during the Charleston Tea Garden stop
• Angel Oak gives you a classic photo moment in about 15 minutes
• Wine tasting costs extra at Deep Water Vineyard (tickets sold on site)
• Optional add-ons like trolley tours available for an additional fee
• Good weather matters since the experience requires it to run

What This Charleston Tour Feels Like in Real Life

This is the kind of day trip that works well if you want more than a quick photo-and-go. You get built-in structure, and the time you have at each place is actually used for something: a photo stop, a factory-style tea experience, then a vineyard visit.

I also like that the day is set up with comfort in mind. You start from 375 Meeting St, ride in a luxury vehicle, and you get bottled water plus snacks along the way. The pacing stays reasonable too. You’re looking at about 5 hours total, with up to 2 hours of that time simply traveling between stops.

The one caution I’d give you: check your expectations about drinks. Tea is included in a big way at the plantation, but wine tastings are extra at the vineyard. If you want to taste wine without thinking about price, plan for it.

Start Point, Time, and the Driving Reality

You meet at 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403. The tour starts at 10:30 am, and it ends back at the meeting point, which is handy if you’re keeping your day flexible afterward.

The schedule is about 5 hours, but there’s an important detail: the time not allocated to venues goes toward transportation, and that can add up to up to 2 hours. That doesn’t mean the tour is inefficient. It just means Charleston roads and between-stop distances are part of the day. If you hate long car time, you’ll still want to bring something that helps you pass it comfortably (water is included, but you might still want your own small snack plan if you get hungry).

A small group size matters here. With a maximum of 20 travelers, the day tends to feel smoother than the big-bus style tours. You’re also guided in English, which helps when you’re making the most of the tea factory visit and getting direction for the vineyard portion.

Stop 1: Angel Oak in 15 Minutes (Photo Time With Meaning)

Angel Oak Tree is a Lowcountry icon. This 500-year-old live oak is described as the oldest in the country, and it’s the kind of place where your camera immediately understands the assignment.

You’ll have about 15 minutes at the tree. That’s short, but it’s enough time to see the whole scene, walk at a relaxed pace, and grab a group photo without feeling like you’re racing the clock. If you like the classic travel shots—mossy branches, strong trunk lines, that shaded stillness—this is the moment to lean into it.

The main consideration is simply time. Fifteen minutes disappears fast if you want a slow wander, so decide early what matters most to you: best angle, best group shot, or a few personal minutes of quiet. Also, plan to dress for whatever weather Charleston throws at you that day. The tour requires good weather, but conditions can still shift.

Stop 2: Charleston Tea Garden Factory Tour Plus Unlimited Tea

This is the heart of the experience: Charleston Tea Plantation. It’s described as America’s only tea plantation, and your time there includes a tour of the factory plus unlimited freshly brewed tea.

You get about 1 hour 15 minutes here, which is a solid chunk of time. It’s enough to learn how tea is processed and then actually enjoy it rather than just touring and sprinting back to the van.

The best part for value is the tea setup. You’ll have coffee and/or tea unlimited during the plantation portion, with hot and cold options included. That’s not a minor detail. When food and drinks are included, you don’t have to do mental math every time you want something refreshing.

Here’s what to keep in mind: trolley tours are not included in the ticket price, but you can buy them on site for an additional cost of $20. If you’re curious, it can be worth considering, but if your goal is keeping the day simple and not adding extra cost, you can skip it and still get the core tea experience.

Stop 3: Deep Water Vineyard and the Only Vineyard in Charleston

Next up is Deep Water Vineyard, described as the only vineyard in Charleston. You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes at the property, which is a nice amount of time to settle in and not feel trapped in a schedule.

Wine tastings are not included. You can purchase tickets on location for an additional $15–$20. I like that the tour isn’t forcing tasting fees into the base price. It gives you a choice: if you want wine, you buy. If you’d rather just enjoy the atmosphere and maybe grab a non-tasting option, you’re not locked into it by default.

One review specifically encouraged trying the mead, which is worth paying attention to if mead is your thing. Even if you don’t plan to do wine tasting, treat this stop like your chance to slow down a bit after the tea factory activity.

Also, remember that your day includes transportation time, so don’t plan to rush off immediately after the stop. Ending back at the meeting point works best if you let the vineyard portion take the time it needs.

Drinks, Snacks, and the Little Extras That Actually Matter

This is one of those tours where the “included” part is genuinely useful. You get snacks and bottled water, plus coffee and/or tea unlimited during the plantation portion. That’s a win in Charleston, where spending money on drinks adds up fast.

In at least one account of the day, the van started with mimosas and snacks before heading toward the winery. That may not be something you should assume for every departure, but it fits the overall vibe: a comfortable ride, then two food-and-drink-centric stops.

At the tea plantation, your main included win is straightforward: unlimited freshly brewed tea, hot or cold. At the vineyard, the tasting is optional. Based on the tour info, tasting tickets cost extra, so if you’re planning to do multiple pours, budget accordingly.

Some additional spending also comes from optional add-ons:

• Trolley tours at the plantation (available on site for about $20)
• Wine tastings at the vineyard (sold on site for about $15–$20)

If you keep those in mind, you can decide early whether you want a spendy day or a mostly-included one.

How Guides and Drivers Shape the Day

A good guide can turn a “see three places” schedule into a day that feels connected. In one review, the English guide Andy mixed tea knowledge with humor, which is exactly what you want when you’re learning something new. Tea isn’t just tea—it’s a process, and having explanations that stay human makes the factory tour far more enjoyable.

The driving matters too, and a big part of comfort is timing and stress. One review called out driver Ladonna for being sweet and for taking photos during the day without rushing anyone. That’s the kind of service you don’t notice until you need it. If you like not having to juggle your camera, or you want a group shot without passing phones around, this kind of attention pays off.

Also, because the tour has a max of 20 people, a guide has an easier job keeping everyone together. That matters at places like the tea plantation and vineyard where you might want a clear sense of meeting back points.

Weather, Fitness, and Pacing: The Practical Stuff

This experience requires good weather. If weather is poor and the tour is canceled, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s one of those policies that matters because the stops are outdoors in at least a couple of ways, especially at Angel Oak.

Physical fitness is listed as moderate. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking and standing for short periods. Since the schedule includes short stops and then a couple longer activity blocks, you’ll be moving enough that “I’m fine with city walking” is a good baseline.

The pacing is also something to respect. You have 15 minutes at Angel Oak, 1 hour 15 minutes at the tea plantation, and 1 hour 30 minutes at the vineyard. If you try to turn every stop into a slow hike, you’ll run out of time and end up feeling rushed in the wrong places.

If you want the day to feel relaxed, pick your priorities ahead of time. For most people, that looks like: Angel Oak for photos, tea plantation for learning and drinking, and vineyard for a slower hang (plus optional tasting).

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

You should book this tour if you want a focused Charleston day that combines a classic icon (Angel Oak) with a real food-and-drink stop you can learn from (tea plantation) and then a second place to taste or wander (Deep Water Vineyard).

It’s also a strong choice if you travel with people who have mixed interests. One person can get excited about tea processing; another might care more about the vineyard atmosphere; everyone still gets the iconic photo moment at Angel Oak.

You might skip it if your top priority is wine tasting only. Wine tastings cost extra here, and a good portion of the day is built around tea. You also need to be okay with some time spent driving, since up to 2 hours of the day can be transportation.

Should You Book This Charleston Tea Plantation and Winery Tour?

I’d book it if you want a smooth, comfortable day that includes practical perks: luxury transport, snacks, bottled water, and serious tea time at a real plantation. Angel Oak adds a memorable Charleston landmark, and the vineyard stop gives you an optional tasting so you’re not forced into spending more if you don’t want it.

Before you go, decide two things:

1. Do you want trolley tours at the tea plantation? If yes, budget the added cost.
2. Do you want wine tasting at Deep Water Vineyard? If yes, plan for the $15–$20 on-site tickets.

If your answers are yes to both, you’ll likely feel like you got a full day of value. If you’d rather keep it simple, you can still enjoy plenty because tea is included and the vineyard visit is free to attend without tasting.

FAQ

Where do I meet, and what time does the tour start?

You meet at 375 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403. The start time is 10:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The tour is about 5 hours (approx.). Any time not spent at the venues is used for transportation, with up to 2 hours possible for travel time.

What are the main stops on the tour?

The tour includes Angel Oak Tree, the Charleston Tea Plantation (Charleston Tea Garden), and Deep Water Vineyard.

Is the tea tour and tea tasting included at the plantation?

Yes. You get a tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation factory, plus unlimited freshly brewed hot and cold tea included during that portion.

Are wine tastings included at Deep Water Vineyard?

No. Wine tastings are not included, but you can buy tickets on site for an additional $15–$20.

Are trolley tours included?

No. Trolley tours are not included in the ticket pricing, but you can purchase them on site at the plantation for an additional $20.

What’s included for food and drinks during the day?

The tour includes snacks, bottled water, and luxury transportation. At the tea plantation, coffee and/or tea unlimited is included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

Portsmouth: Spinnaker Tower High Tea in the CloudsAgafay Desert, 2H of Quad Biking, tea & transfer from MarrakechSão Miguel: Furnas Volcano & Tea Plantation Tour & LunchAsakusa: Geisha Performance and Tea House Experience