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July ~ October, 2016
Carolina Wine Country NewsCarolina Wine Country News
The Big Woods ZiplineSanders Ridge Winery
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
Stony Knoll VineyardsAward Winning Wines!
Brandon Hills VineyardOff the beaten path at
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OnThe VineA publication of the Tribune
contents
On the Cover
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Summertime in the Yadkin Valley
4 The journey of Stony Knoll Vineyards
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival slated for fall
Noni Bacca Winery ‘stomps’ the competition
Winemaker’s Corner: The journey of Stony Knoll Vineyards
The Big Woods Zipline brings adventure to wine tasting
Winery Index
Calendar of Events
A lovely gazebo at Brandon Hills Vineyard.
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OnOnVinethe
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July ~ October, 2016
Carolina Wine Country NewsCarolina Wine Country News
The Big Woods ZiplineSanders Ridge Winery
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
Stony Knoll VineyardsAward Winning Wines!
Brandon Hills Vineyard
Off the beaten path at
EDITORWendy Byerly Wood
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKitsey Burns Harrison
Troy Brooks
ADVERTISING DIRECTORHolly Lamm
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES336-835-1513
CALENDAR OF EVENTStricalendar@civitasmedia.com
ON ThE VINE214 E. Main St., Elkin, NC 28621
On The Vine is published quarterly by Civitas Media LLC.
The tasting room and winery at Stony Knoll Vineyards.
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The Rockers play at the 2015 Yadkin Valley Grape Festival as well as Phatt City, another popular area band.
Staff members of The Big Woods Zipline, along with her daughter Betty Ann McInteer, get Lola Steelman Davis into a harness as she prepares to go zipling during her 90th birthday party.
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Off the beaten path atBrandon Hills Vineyard
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discoverJonesville
The Jonesville Welcome cenTerI-77 at Exit 82, in The Heart of the Yadkin Valley
Tourism Specialists On Staff Monday-Saturday 8:30AM-8PM & Sundays 1PM-8PM - providing a wealth of information on the Yadkin Valley, its Wine Region and more!
For more information, call the Jonesville Welcome Center at (336) 835-2000
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Summertime in the Yadkin ValleyMore than 10 years ago, I had my very first
sip of Yadkin Valley wine. As a recent college graduate, it was my first experience with a wine other than Boone’s Farm. I was working for The Tribune in Elkin and part of my beat was to cover the area wineries. It was quite an education for someone new to the journal-ism industry as well as new to wine.
Watching the area wine industry grow over the years has been fascinating and exciting. As a Yadkin County native, it gives me a great sense of pride that we have this ter-rific industry here. When I visit wineries for a story, or just for fun, I love to see visitors from all across the state and other states who are coming here to sample these wines.
With summer in full swing here in the
Yadkin Valley, it’s a great time to visit. In this issue of On The Vine, you’ll read about the wine festival from earlier this spring, and the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival slated for this fall. Also in this issue we’ve revisited some wineries which have been around for awhile to update you on new things happening there. And for those looking for some adventure to pair with their wine, you’ll learn about the zipline at one of our area vineyards.
Like the classic Gershwin song, it’s “sum-mertime, and the living is easy,” especially if you’ve got a glass of Yadkin Valley wine in your hand.
With a grapeful heart, Kitsey Burns Harrison
Staff Writer - On The Vine MagazineKitsey Burns Harrison | On The Vine
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By Kitsey Burns Harrisonkburns@yadkinripple.com
Perched atop a hill overlooking acres of grape vines and the mountains beyond is the tasting room at Stony Knoll Vineyards, located at 1143 Stony Knoll Road in Dobson. The winery, which opened in the fall of 2004, is family owned and operated and part of a North Carolina Century Farm. Wine-maker and owner Van Coe said it’s a passion and a journey 16 years in the making.
“Farming and growing things and creating food stuffs for humanity has been in our DNA for decades and decades,” Coe said.
Not only is the property on which the winery is located Coe’s wife’s family farm, a Century Farm, but his own family has a Century Farm as well. Coe said at first they thought the wine industry would be like producing any other crop, some-thing that has long been a part of their family heritage. They quickly learned though, wine takes much more finesse than growing tobacco.
He compared wine making to a Rubik’s cube puzzle. It takes a key to unlock the secrets to crafting that perfect vin-tage and it doesn’t happen overnight.
“The only way you can do it, is to be in business enough years to take the journey,” Coe said. “You’ve got to be able to take the journey and when you come across the roadblocks, you’ve got to be able to make changes.”
Coe said there’s a spirituality and even superstitions that come into bridging the connection between farming and wine making.
“You really are connected to the forces of nature,” he said.So many factors from the amount of rain to the fluctuating
temperatures during the growing season can affect the grapes and in turn the wine.
“The key too is to be able to enhance with your set of grow-ing conditions here to create a viable world class product,” Coe explained.
In 2014 at Stony Knoll Vineyards they made a number of
The journey of Stony Knoll Vineyards
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On The VineAward winning wines on display at Stony Knoll Vineyards.
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changes in the vineyard and that has had a positive effect on the product.
“If you can find the key to unlock the challenges, you can create something really nice here,” said Coe.
As they transition into selling wines produced under their new protocols, Coe said they also are preparing to circulate their wines to a wider market. Each bottle now includes a UPC code on the label so when the time is right they can begin selling their wine at shops and restaurants.
Looking back on the 16 years since the first grapes were planted at Stony Knoll, Coe said if he tried to measure their success in numbers he might fall short. But sometimes it isn’t all about the money.
“If you look at the experiences, and the fulfillment of a relationship with human life and plant life, growing some-thing and being a farmer, I’m a billionaire,” he said.
Though at a place of peace when it comes to personal satisfaction with the winery’s success, Coe did say they were at a good point to focus more on the financial success of the business as well.
A new wine collection will be released at Stony Knoll this fall, beginning with the 2014 Master Exquisite Black Oak Stick Cabernet Sauvignon.
“That year we had a lot of less humid growing days so we had a great vintage,” Coe said. “We are really excited about that.”
With new wines that are soon to be released as well as customer favorites still on the tasting menu, the winery also boasts a lovely setting for visitors. An outdoor patio area as well as indoor seating offers a beautiful spot for wine lovers to sip and enjoy the Yadkin Valley area. Stony Knoll is also available for weddings and other private gatherings. Those planning to stay in the area also have the option to stay in the wine lodge, the original homeplace on the farm, located across the street from the vineyard and winery.
For more information on Stony Knoll Vineyards, visit www.stonyknollvineyards.com or call 336-374-5752.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On The VineStony Knoll Vineyards owner and winemaker Van Coe pours tastings for visitors from Virginia, William Web and Sandra Johnson. Webb said he loved the Cabernet Franc and the Chardonnay.
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On The Vine
The tasting room and winery at Stony Knoll Vineyards.
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On The VineA vineyard view at Stony Knoll.
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On The Vine
The elegantly appointed tasting room at Stony Knoll Vineyards.
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By Kitsey Burns Harrisonkburns@yadkinripple.com
The 13th annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival will take place in Yadkinville on Oct. 15. The event, hosted by the Yad-kin County Chamber of Commerce, was created to help promote the growing wine industry in the area.
“We wanted visitors to experience what great wines we have in this area,” said Jaime Johnston of the Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce. As a number of area wine festivals take place in the spring, Johnston said they chose to do a fall festival to offer something
special for area visitors to come back to later in the year.
The celebration will begin at 11 a.m. with events continuing on through the evening. The festival will feature more than 20 area wineries as well as local food and craft vendors. The festivities will be in downtown Yadkinville until 5 p.m. with a Wine Wind Down event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Yadkin Cultural Arts Center.
The festival will include live music with Big Daddy Mojo from 3 to 5 p.m. and other local bands performing throughout the day.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at
the gate. A military ticket is $20 at the gate with ID. Group tickets are available as well.
“This is our 13th annual Yadkin Val-ley Grape Festival and it’s going to be a great festival,” Johnston said. “We appreciate all the support we have received over the years from the Yadkin Valley wineries that have participated in our festival to our sponsors and volun-teers.”
Joyce Allman of Badin and her boy-friend, John Cheek, who lives on Badin Lake, were at the festival for the very first time last year.
“We read about it online,” Allman
File photos
Festival-goers at the 12th annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival gather around to hear The Rockers, one of two bands playing at the event.
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival slated for fall
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said, “and we liked the setup. We thought it was well organized.”
Cheek said he had heard a lot of good things about the Yadkinville fes-tival.
As of last fall, Allman and Cheek had visited 45 North Carolina wineries as well as wineries in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and South Carolina.
“We love travel and we always find a winery to visit,” she said. “A lot of times we run into people that we know or who knows somebody that we know.”
Speaking of the wines they sampled at the 2015 festival, Allman said, “They’re all good. He likes drier wines, and I like semi-sweet and sweet, and the blends.”
Julie and David Brittain of Newton were also among the visitors at last year’s festival. They said they have been regulars at the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival for seven or eight years. Their favorite area winery is Shadow Springs.
Couples Suzette and David Did-dulph and Alice and Dana Fogle have been driving from Florida to the Yad-kin Valley wine festivals for eight or nine years as well.
“We love North Carolina rural win-eries,” Alice Fogle said.
For more information on the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival, visit www.yvgf.com or call 336-679-2200.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.
170 Heritage Vines WayElkin, NC 28621
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Yadkin Valley Grape Festival volunteers put wine purchases in bags and boxes for customers to pick up on their way out.
File photos
Christine Summers of the new family-owned Chestnut Trail Vineyard in Davie County pours a sample of their Legado wine during the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival for Maggie Calloway of Boonville, who said it was very good.
File photos
Lyn Layton-Koren, from left, who owns Sweet Home Carolina Vineyard & Winery of Yadkinville with her husband, John, pours a wine sample for Julie and David Brittain of Newton during the 2015 Yadkin Valley Grape Festival.
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John Cheek of Badin Lake and Joyce Allman of Badin attend the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival for the first time in 2015. The couple has visited 45 North Carolina wineries and several in other states during the 13 months they’ve been together.
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748 NC Hwy 24&50, Warsaw NC 28398(910) 296-1727 • www.countrysquirewinery.com
Authentic Old-World Ambience • Historic 1780’s Tasting RoomRomantic Inn & Restaurant • Free Tastings and Winery Tours!
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And off they go! Accompanied by a zipline staff member, 90-year old Lola Steelman
Davis is ready for take-off at The Big Woods Zipline
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A North Carolina Century Farm, founded in 1896.
By Kitsey Burns Harrisonkburns@yadkinripple.com
Those who like their wine served up with a side of adventure need look no fur-ther than Sanders Ridge Winery, located at 2280 Sanders Ridge Lane in Boonville. Not only is there an on-site restaurant, but Sanders Ridge is also home to the Big Woods Zipline.
The nearly mile-long course features 12 lines that weave through the forest just behind the vineyard. Manager Jenni-fer Hiatt said the zipline was not initially their idea, but when winery owner Neil Shore was approached about having one built on the property, he agreed. The course has become a popular destination and added to the overall winery experi-ence for visitors.
“It’s been a nice addition,” Hiatt said of the zipline. The zipline attracts all kinds, especially families who often stay on to enjoy some wine and a meal at The Hearth Restaurant. Group outings are especially popular, Hiatt said. From bachelor parties to birthdays, the zipline and winery create a fun atmosphere for a special gathering. Ages 8 and up can do the zipline and this spring the zipline and winery played host to a very special birthday gathering.
Lola Steelman Davis celebrated her
90th birthday ziplining at the Big Woods Zipline. Davis was no stranger to the high-wired sport. She first ziplined five years ago on her 85th birthday.
“I enjoyed it so much that I said if I was healthy enough I wanted to do it again when I turned 90,” Davis said. Davis was indeed the picture of health at a gala celebration in her honor at The Hearth Restaurant at Sanders Ridge Winery. More than 40 friends and fam-ily members joined her for her birthday party, complete with red velvet cake.
As evidenced by Davis’ celebration, the zipline is suitable for all sorts of festive celebrations. With hiking trails on the property as well, Hiatt said many folks
choose to make a whole day out of their visit to Sanders Ridge.
The zipline offers a thrill, but it’s also not so extreme as to cause fear. Two guides assist zipliners through the course, which visitors have said is extremely lovely.
“It’s a pretty scenic view, it’s relaxing,” Hiatt said. “We’ve had some people who have ziplined all over the world and they said that this is one of the prettiest courses they’ve ever done.
“It’s nice because it’s in the trees but it’s not so terribly high that you feel really uncomfortable,” Hiatt said.
The zipline is a popular destination for those in nearby cities such as Winston-Salem and Charlotte, Hiatt added.
“It’s nice because it seems like you’ve gotten away. It feels like you’ve gotten in a little bit of a vacation even though it’s really close to home.”
The property also boasts a cabin so visitors can stay the weekend if they choose. With other activities nearby such as hot air balloon rides, river rafting and skydiving.
For more information on the Big Woods Zipline, visit www.bigwood-szipline.com or call 336-677-1509.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter at @RippleReporterK.
Kitsey Burns Harrison | On the VineThe Big Woods Zipline at Sanders Ridge.
The Big Woods Zipline brings adventure to wine tasting
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Allison Oaks Tasting Room
Brandon Hills Vineyard 336-463-WINE (9463) 1927BrandonHillsRoad, Yadkinville,NC27055Owners:DavidandPamelaBlackwellWinemaker:DanaAckerWebsite: brandonhillsvineyard.comLocation: YadkinCounty-FromUS421takeUS601So.,turnrightonLoneHickory,1.2milesturnrightonNeelieRd.,0.5mi.turnleftonBrandonHillsRd.Tasting Room Hours:Saturday12pm-6pmSunday1pm-5pmorbyappointmentWeareclosedtheentiremonthofJanuary
Brushy Mountain Winery
Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery336 366-3301170HeritageVinesWay,
Elkin,NC28621Owners and Winemakers: Clyde&PatColwellWebsite:carolinaheritagevineyards.comLocation:FromI-77:TakeI-77Exit85East(Right)Hwy-268Bypass/CCCampRoadtoHighway268.TurnLeft(East)-Highway268for.8mile.Vineyardisvisibleonthenorthsideof268nexttoroadsign:“HeritageVinesWay.”(10202EHwy268-Elkin)FromHwy52/Hwy601:TakeHwy268Westfor3milesfromHwy601.VineyardisvisibleonthenorthsideofHwy268nexttoroadsign:“HeritageVinesWay.”(10202EHwy268-Elkin)
Cellar 4201 336-699-6030 4201AppersonRoad, EastBend,NC27018GPS Coordinates:36D14M12SW80D28M26SOwner:GregHutchins,DonnaCarlyleHutchinsWinemaker:CharlieKiddWebsite:www.Cellar4201.comLocation:YadkinCountyFromI-77Exit82TravelEastonHwy67toEastBend.TurnleftontoAp-personRoad.FromWinston-Salem,takeHwy67West,1milepastYadkinRiverBridge,turnrightontoAppersonRoad,travel2.6milesonleft.
Childress Vineyards Divine Llama Vineyards, LLC 336-699-2525 4126DivineLlamaLane,EastBend, NC27018 GPS Coordinates:N36d13m10s W80d20m03sOwners:ThomasH.HughesandMichaelWestWinemaker:DanTallmanTasting Room Hours:Fri&Sat:12:00pm-5:00pm;Sun:1:00pm-5:00pm,(Sat&SunOnly,Jan&Feb)Website:www.divinellamavineyards.comLocation:FromNCHwy67,turnontoMacedo-niaRoadinEastBend.Vineyardis.6mionleft.
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Olde Mill VineyardsSanders Ridge VineyardSweet Home Carolina Vineyard & Winery Roaring River Vineyards, LLC
(336)790-8888orTollFree(877)658-0370493BrewerMillRoad,Traphill,NC28685GPS Coordinates:36.318514,-81.049772Owners:Josephine&TomSilveyLuxuryLodgings,BusinessMeetings,Wed-
dings,RehearsalDinners,andPrivateEvents.Website:www.roaringrivervineyards.com
Lazy Elm(336)909-4914523DannerRoad,Mocksville,NC27028www.lazyelm.com
OpenSat&Sun12PM-6PM-ish Adagio Vineyards
(336)258-2333139BengeDrive,Elkin,NC28621www.adagiovineyards.comOwners:Drs.TimandJanWahlWinemaker:TimWahl(YadkinValleyRegion)Location:SurryCounty,I-77toexit83
US21bypassNorth,leftfirsttrafficlight,leftonNBridgeStreetthenrightonCarterMillRoad,firstleftonBengeDrive.TastingRoomHours:Thursday&Friday12-5,Saturday11-6,Sunday1-5
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RagApple Lassie VineyardsToll Free:1866-RAGAPPLEWinery:336-367-60003724RagAppleLassieLaneBoonville,NC27011Owners:FrankandLennaHobsonOpenDaily12pm-6pm(exceptEas-
ter,Thanksgiving&Christmas)TastingsDaily12pm-5:30pmGPS Address:3808RockfordRd,BoonvilleNC27011Website:www.ragapplelassie.comRayLen Vineyards
Round Peak Vineyards
MenaRick Vineyard & Winery
Shelton Vineyards 336-366-4724 286CabernetLane, Dobson,NC27017Owners:CharlesM.SheltonandR.EdwinSheltonWinemaker: GillGieseWebsite:www.sheltonvineyards.comLocation:SurryCounty—I-77toExit93Dobson.Turnright,thentakefirstrightontoTwinOaksRd.Go2.5milestotheSheltonVineyardsentranceontheright.Stony Knoll VineyardsSurry Community College Winery
Weathervane Winery1452WelcomeArcadiaRd.Lexington,NC27295(336)793-3366Winemakers:SidProctor&EricProctorTue-Thu11AM-5PM,Fri11AM-6PMSat11AM-5PM,Sun1PM-5PM
www.weathervanewinery.comWineTastingsforbothDryandSweetWineLoversVisitourwebsiteforEvents&moreinformation
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Elkin Creek Vineyard 336-526-5119318ElkinCreekMillRoad,Elkin,NC28621Tasting Room Hrs:Thursday–Sunday11AM–5PM.WineTasting&LightFoodsDaily,Brick-OvenPizzasEverySunday.AvailableforWeddings&SpecialEvents–PrivateLuxuryRentalCabinsWebsite:www.elkincreekvineyard.comLat:36.2804452Long: -80.8763055
Flint Hill Vineyards & Century Kitchen
Grassy Creek Vineyard 336-835-4230 235CottageCircle, StateRoadNC28676Owners:DerrillandLoriRice,JimandCynthiaDouthitWinemaker:JimDouthitWebsite:www.grassycreekvineyard.comLocation: Surry/WilkesCounties—WestoffI-77atExit85toUS21-BypassNorth.leftafterfirsttrafficlightontoKlondikeRoad.Leftintovineyardafterabout1/2miles.
Hanover Park Vineyard
Hutton Vineyards & Winery
Junius Lindsay Vineyard
McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks Old North State Winery & Brewery 336-789-9463 308NorthMainStreet, MountAiry,NC27030Owners: Ben&EllieWebbWinemaker/Brewmaster: BenWebbwebsite:www.oldnorthstatewinery.comLocation:SurryCounty-FromI-77EasttoUS601,takeUS601toHwy.52N.ExitoffofHwy.52NontheMt.Airy/GalaxHwy.89Ext.GostraightonIndependencethrough5lights.TurnrightontoN.MainStreet,Wineryistwoblocksontheleft.
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Old North State Winery & Brewery 336-789-9463
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JOLO Vineyards219JOLOWineryLanePilotMountain,NC27041336614-0030Winery336614-0013EndPostsRestaurant
www.jolovineyards.comOwners:JWandKristenRayWinemaker:JWRayLocation: SurryCountyTasting Room Hours:Thursday10:30a.m.-6:00p.m.FridayandSaturday10:30a.m.-9:00p.m.SundayNoon-5:00p.m.EndPosts Restaurant Lunch Hours:FridaythroughSaturday11:30a.m.-3:00p.m.SundayNoon-4:00p.m.EndPosts Restaurant Dinner Hours:FridaythroughSaturday5:30p.m.-9:30p.m.Sunday4:30p.m.to6:30p.m.(SundayFamilyStyleSuppers)
Jones von Drehle Vineyards & Winery964OldRailroadGradeRd.Thurmond,NC28683
(336)874-2800www.jonesvondrehle.com100%Estate-Grown&ProducedFineWinesHours: Wed–Sat11AM–6PM,Sun12N–5PMVisitwebsiteforSpecialEvents&DirectionsGPS:Lat:36.378139,Lon:-80.949068Lat:36degrees22minutes41.29secondsLon:-80degrees56minutes56.64secondsElev1480ftasl
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Allison Oaks Tasting Room
Brandon Hills Vineyard 336-463-WINE (9463) 1927 Brandon Hills Road,
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SWAN CREEK AVA
Windsor Run Winery & Distillery
Dobbins Creek Vineyards
Laurel Gray Vineyards336-468-9463 (Got Wine)Toll Free: 888-769-4635
5726OldUSHwy421Hamptonville,NC27020Owners:KimandBenMyers
Winemaker:StephenRigbyTasting Room Hours:WednesdaythroughSatur-day10amuntil5pm.Sundayafternoons1pmuntil5pm.Lasttastingstartsat15minutestill5:00pmGPS Coordinates:N3608.03W8050.22Location:LaurelGrayVineyardsisanestatewinerywithonsiteawardwinningvineyards.LocatedwithinboththeYadkinValleyandSwanCreekAVAdesig-nationsLaurelGrayisjustonemileoffI-77andlessthan.3mileoffHwy421.DrivingDirections:OffI-77takeexit#73BthenfollowHwy421toExit#267(WindsorRd.)TurnnorthonWindsorRd.forashortdistanceuntilitdeadendsintoOldUSHwy421.TurnrightontoOldHwy421andLaurelGrayisjustaheadontheleft.Wine List:SpecializingininternationallyawardwinningFrenchViniferadinnerwinesthatareestategrownandonlyavailableatthevineyardtastingroom..
Raffaldini Vineyards
Shadow Springs Vineyard
Piccione Vineyards
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Native Vines WineryHerrera Vineyards(866)313-8008231VineyardLn,Dobson,NC27017herreravineyards.com
00838018
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Chinqua Penn Vineyards
Cypress Bend Vineyards
Daveste’ Vineyards 704-528-3882155 Lytton Farm Rd.,Troutman, NC 28166
Website: www.davestevineyards.comEmail: info@daveste.comTasting Room & Art GalleryOpen Mon., Thu. & Fri.: 11 am - 6 pmSat.: 10 am - 6 pm & Sun.: 12 pm - 6 pmClosed Tues. & Wed.Dennis Vineyards
Garden Gate Vineyards
Germanton Art & Winery
Hinnant Family Vineyard
Horizon Cellars
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Glen Marie Winery
Grove Winery
Iron Gate Vineyards & Winery
Silk Hope Winery
HAW RIVER AVA
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If you wish to have an extended listing helping your customers to locate and
contact you, please callHolly Lamm with
On The Vine Magazine. We will be happy to invoice you annually for
your listing in our quarterly publication.
Annual Listing with phone number,location, directions, website,
owner and/or winemaker namesis $100 annually.
To add your logo is anadditional $50 annually.
Chateau Morrisette 540-593-2865 287 Winery Road SW, Floyd, VA 24091 Owner: David Morrisette
Website: www.thedogs.comLocation: Milepost 171.5 Blue Ridge ParkwayWinery Hours: Mon–Thu 10AM–5PMFri & Sat 10AM–6PM, Sun 11AM–5PMVisit our website for Winery Tour schedule
Blacksnake Meadery
Foggy Ridge Cider
Villa Appalacia
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SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA REGION
Martin VineyardsMoonrise Bay Vineyard
Sanctuary Vineyards
Silver Coast Winery 910-287-28006680 Barbeque Rd.,Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469Southport Tasting Room910-777-5151
105 S. Howe St., Southport NC 28461Owners: John and Maryann AzzatoWebsite: www.silvercoastwinery.com Location: Brunswick County — From Hwy. 17 (7 mi. north of S.C. border) take Hwy. 904 west. After 1.5 miles, take right on Russtown Rd. After 1.5 miles, take 4th right on Barbeque Rd.
The Country Squire Restaurant, Inn & Winery (910) 296-1727 748 NC Hwy 24 & 50 Warsaw, NC 28398Website: www.countrysquirewinery.comWinery Hours: Tues - Sat 12:00pm - 7:00pmRestaurant: Home of the 72-ounce steak “The Kilt Buster”. Lunch: Sun - Fri 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Dinner: 7 days a week 5:30pm - until.Wine List: Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah,Riesling, Pinot Grigio, White Zinfandel, Pomegranate, Blackberry, Blueberry, PeachWinery, Restaurant, Inn, Bed & Breakfast, and Vineyards all at same location. All ABC PERMITS
Vineyards on the Scuppernong, LLC
Weeksville Vineyards & Cellars
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Bannerman’s Vineyard
Bennett Vineyards
Duplin Winery
Grapefull Sisters VineyardLu Mil Vineyard (910)866-5819438 Suggs-Taylor Road, Elizabethtown, NC 28337Website: www.lumilvineyard.comOwner: Ron Taylor
Tasting Room Hours: Monday - Saturday (10am - 6pm) & Sunday (1pm - 6pm)Wine List: Old Cumberland, Taylor Divine, Bladen Blush, Har-mony Hall, Cape Owen Red, Merry Christmas, Sir Walter Raleigh
Lumina Winery
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Autumn Creek Vineyard 336-548-9463364 Means Creek Rd., Mayodan, NC 27027
Owner: Bill StanleyWebsite: www.autumncreekvineyards.comEmail: info@autumncreekvineyards.comLocation: Rockingham County. Take US 220 to NC 770, turn left, Rt. on Glenns Chapel Rd., left on Means Creek Road.
A Secret Garden Winery
Black Rock Vineyards
Cauble Creek Vineyard
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Thistle Meadow Winery
Waldensian Heritage Wines
WoodMill Winery
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard & Winery
3521 Falston-Waco RoadLawndale, NC 28090www.bakerbuffalocreek.comowner - Charles EdwardsThursday-Saturday 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm
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Uwharrie Vineyards
Zimmerman Vineyards
Southern Charm Winery235-D East Main St.Lincolnton, NC 28092Carolyn RamseurHours: Tuesday- Friday 11:00 am to 5:00
Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pmWebsite: www.Southerncharmwinery.com
Southern Medley Wine Cellar118 North Rutherford StreetWadesboro, NC 28170(704)-994-2389Owner: Elizabeth Schafer, Owner/Winemaker/Chief Bottle WasherWebsite: www.southernmedley.comWine List: Amarone, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Syrah Rose’, White Merlot, White ZinfandelLocation: 1 block south off Highway 74 East in historic, uptown Wadesboro.GPS coordinates: 34.9629254, -80.0897725Tasting Room Hours: Thur.-Sat. 2-8pm, Sun. By Appointment Only
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MOUNTAIN REGION
Banner Elk Winery
Calaboose Cellars
Biltmore Estate Winery
Cerminaro Vineyard
Chateau Laurinda Elk Mountain Winery
Ginger Creek Vineyards
Green Creek Winery
Lake James Cellars
New River Winery
Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery LLC
Raintree Cellars
Rockhouse Vineyards
South Creek Vineyards
Old Stone Vineyard & Winery 704-279-0930
Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard
Stonefield Cellars 336-644-99088220 Hwy. 68 N.,Stokesdale, NC 27357
Owners: Robert and Natalie WurzWinemaker: Robert WurzWebsite: www.stonefieldcellars.comLocation: Guilford County — North off I-40 at Exit 210. Take NC 68 north 13 miles. Winery on right at intersection with NC 65 (entrance on NC 65).Stony Mountain Vineyards 704-982-0922
26370 Mountain Ridge Road, Albemarle, NC 28001Owners: Ken, Marie and Devron FurrWebsite: www.stonymountainvine-yards.comLocation: Stanly County — Take
Hwy 24-27 East from Albemarle. Turn left at Stone Mountain sign. Turn right on Mountain Ridge Rd.
PIEDMONT REGION COASTAL REGION
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Each Thursday• 5:30 to 8 p.m., Sanders Ridge Win-ery, 3200 Round Hill Road, Boonville, will holds Farm-to-Table family-style meals including salad, entree, local vegetables, fresh baked bread and wine specials. A full dinner menu also is available. For more information or reservations, call 336-677-1700.July 16• 2 to 5 p.m., Carolina Heritage Win-ery, 170 Heritage Vines Way, Elkin, will host Burch Station Bluegrass Jam Session. Visitors are welcome to bring an instrument or just sit back and listen to bluegrass, old-time and other music. The event will be outside, weather permitting, and those attend-ing should bring lawn chairs and a picnic if desired. No cover charge. Coffee and snacks will be available at no charge. Wine tastings, glasses and bottles of wine will be available for sale.• MenaRick Vineyard and Winery, 328 Luffman Road, Ronda, will host Saturday Wine Special. Visitors can bring a picnic to the vineyard and receive $5 off each bottle purchased to compliment the picnic.• 5 to 8 p.m., Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host Summer Grillfest fea-
turing music by Neighbor Unknown. Visitors can bring their picnics and use the vineyards’ grills, play lawn game and enjoy the music. For more information, call 336-352-5595 or visit www.roundpeak.com.• 6 p.m., Elkin Creek Vineyard, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road, Elkin, will host the Vineyard Stomp 5K for July, a series of 5K races at area Surry County wineries. The 5K will start at 6 p.m. with a 1K kids run to follow and live music from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be free wine tasting from three wineries and a food truck on hand. For details on the races, visit active.com, keyword “Vineyard Stomp.”• 6 to 9 p.m., Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, will host its summer concert series featuring Ken Knox & Company, former members of the Chairmen of the Board. Cost is $20 in advance, or $25 for day-of tickets. For more information, call 336-366-4724 or visit www.shelton-vineyards.com.• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host The Embers as a benefit for the Davidson Medical Ministries. Tickets can be purchased from a DMM board member, or to sponsor contact a board member.
July 23• 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a coaster class during which participants will make four custom tile coasters with their own photos. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.adagiovineyards.com.July 29• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host its Wine-Down Friday night featuring Mark Tuttle Boogie Nights. Admission is $5.July 30• 5 to 8 p.m., Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host Summer Grillfest featuring music by George Smith. Visitors can bring their picnics and use the vineyards’ grills, play lawn game and enjoy the music. For more information, call 336-352-5595 or visit www.roundpeak.com.Aug. 6-7• Yadkin Summer Whites 2016 will be held Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., featuring Yadkin County’s white wines paired with accompanying food items at each of the participating wineries. This is an advance ticket only event, with a limited number of tickets sold. Tickets are $25 per person and include a souvenir wine
glass, a 2-ounce pour of each wineries Summer White and a small serving of paired food. Tickets can be purchased online at www.visityadkin.com, or by visiting the Yadkin County Visitors Center in the Yadkin County Chamber office, 205 S. Jackson St., Yadkinville. Deadline to order tickets is Aug. 3. More information is available at 877-492-3546. Participating winer-ies include Brandon Hills Vineyards serving strawberry shortcake and White Merlot wine; Cellar 4201 serv-ing grilled prosciutto asparagus and Stainless Chardonnay; Divine Llama Vineyards with Asian noodles and Traminette wine; Flint Hill Vineyards serving cupcakes with Chardonnay frosting and Chardonnay; Hanover Park Vineyards serving quiche and small green salad with Dry Rose wine; RagApple Lassie Vineyards serving chicken stir fry with Kaleidoscope Gold wine; and Sanders Ridge Vine-yards serving pineapple sangria cevi-che with Pineapple wine.Aug. 7• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge, Drive, Elkin, will host Tasting Notes with violin duets featuring music by Mozart, Handel, Bach and other classical composers.Aug. 12• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery,
The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards Marina
Victoria Valley Vineyards
Grape and Grain Vineyards
City Scape Winery864.329.0615589 Dunklin Bridge Rd.Pelzer, SC 29669
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 6:00.Owners: Wayne and Anita TammeWebsite: cityscapewinery.comEmail: cityscapewinery@aol.comLocation: Milepost 171.5 Blue Ridge Parkway
Palmetto Pickup Wines
Windy Hill Orchard & Cider Mill
Enoree River Winery803.276.28551650 Dusty RoadNewberry, SC 29108Hours: Wednesday through
Saturday, 11am until 6pm and Sunday, 2pm until 6pmOwners: Richard and Laura LaBarreWebsite: enoreeriverwinery.comEmail: enoreerivervineyards@gmail.comLike us on Facebook: Enoree River Winery, LLC
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Location: I-26, Exit #74 (Hwy 34) Turn towards Winnsboro, ½ mile from exit, turn right on Dusty Road. ½ mile on left, turn into driveway and vineyard and tasting room will be in the back area. Look for signs on Hwy 34 and Dusty Road location.
Proverbs 31 Winery
Mercer House Estate
Irvin-House Vineyards
September Oaks Vineyards
Island Winery
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1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host its Wine-Down Friday night featuring Mark Tuttle Boogie Nights. Admission is $5.Aug. 13• 5 to 8 p.m., Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host Summer Grillfest fea-turing music. Visitors can bring their picnics and use the vineyards’ grills, play lawn game and enjoy the music. For more information, call 336-352-5595 or visit www.roundpeak.com.• 6 p.m., Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host the Vineyard Stomp 5K for July, a series of 5K races at area Surry County wineries. The 5K will start at 6 p.m. with a 1K kids run to follow and live music from 6 to 9 p.m. There will be free wine tasting from three wineries and a food truck on hand. For details on the races, visit active.com, keyword “Vineyard Stomp.”Aug. 20• 5 to 8 p.m., Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host Summer Grillfest featuring music by Steve Lindsley. Visitors can bring their picnics and
use the vineyards’ grills, play lawn game and enjoy the music. For more information, call 336-352-5595 or visit www.roundpeak.com.Aug. 26• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host its Wine-Down Friday night featuring Motown Review. Admission is $15, $10 for wine club members.Aug. 27• Noon to 9 p.m., Round Peak Vine-yards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host Carolina Sky Music Fest featuring bands from all across the area. There will be food, games, beer and wine. For more information, call 336-352-5595, email info@roundpeak.com or visit www.roundpeak.com to register.• 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a coaster class during which participants will make four custom tile coasters with their own photos. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.adagiovineyards.com.Sept. 9• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host its Wine-Down Friday night featuring Mark Tuttle Boogie Nights. Admission is $5.Sept. 9-10
• Round Peak Vineyards, 765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy, will host the Skull Campout, a night of food, fun, live music, bonfires and camping out in the vineyard. Sunday morning will feature breakfast and yoga on the crush pad at 10 a.m. For more information, call 336-352-5595, email info@roundpeak.com or visit www.roundpeak.com to register.Sept. 10• 12:30 to 3 p.m., Adagio Vineyards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a bottle lights class during which par-ticipants will design and make two wine-bottle lights. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.ada-giovineyards.com.Sept. 11• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge, Drive, Elkin, will host Tasting Notes with violin duets featuring music by Mozart, Handel, Bach and other classical composers.Sept. 16• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexing-ton, will host its Wine-Down Friday night featuring Part Time Party Time Band. Admission is $15, $10 for wine club members.Sept. 25• 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a coaster class during which
participants will make four custom tile coasters with their own photos. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.adagiovineyards.com.Oct. 8• 12:30 to 3 p.m., Adagio Vineyards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a bottle lights class during which par-ticipants will design and make two wine-bottle lights. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.ada-giovineyards.com.Oct. 22• 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge Drive, Elkin, will host a coaster class during which participants will make four custom tile coasters with their own photos. The class includes a glass of wine. For more information, call 336-258-2333 or visit www.adagiovineyards.com.Oct. 23• 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Adagio Vine-yards, 139 Benge, Drive, Elkin, will host Tasting Notes with violin duets featuring music by Mozart, Handel, Bach and other classical composers.Oct. 28• 7 to 10 p.m., Weathervane Winery, 1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lex-ington, will host Halloween at the Winery featuring Mark Tuttle Boogie Nights. Admission is $5.
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Calendar
By Kitsey Burns Harrisonkburns@yadkinripple.com
What do tropical fish, birds of prey and good wines have in common? Not much you might think, but you can find all these at Brandon Hills Vineyard, a small boutique winery in Yad-kin County.
Located at 1927 Brandon Hills Road in Yadkinville, Bran-don Hills Vineyard is named for the family who used to farm the land sandwiched between two rolling hills. Now, set atop one hill is the tasting room for Brandon Hills, which overlooks the valley where the vineyard is planted.
Though no relation to the Brandon family, owners David
and Pam Blackwell felt it was important to keep the name associated with their unique geographic location. The Black-wells planted their first grapes in 2005 and opened the tasting room in 2009.
The small and rustically elegant tasting room has a most unique feature, a large aquarium, stocked with, in the owner’s words, all the “Finding Nemo” fish. Clown fish, a tang and an angel fish give a bright splash of color that catches visitors’ eyes as soon as they arrive. Blackwell said his wife always had a fondness for fish tanks and so when they built the tasting room they made
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Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin RippleBrandon Hills’ signature wines, Raptor Red, featuring images of birds of prey that have been released on the property by the Carolina Raptor Center. See BRANDON | 16
Off the beaten path atBrandon Hills Vineyard
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Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple
Brandon Hills Vineyard boasts wine to please all palettes.
special accommodations to house the large aquarium.
Brandon Hills Vineyard is also home to the annual Raptor Ride, a fundrais-ing bicycle ride benefiting the Carolina Raptor Center, an organization dedi-cated to “environmental stewardship and the conservation of birds of prey, through education, research, and the rehabilitation of injured and orphan raptors.”
Each fall Brandon Hills hosts this charity bike ride which also includes the release of a bird of prey at the vine-yard.
“We’ve released about 13 of these birds, owls, hawks, on the property,” Blackwell said. “The way it helps us is by increasing the predator bird popula-tion on the property and puts pressure on the pest birds that damage and eat our grapes.”
Brandon Hills’ signature wine is a red blend called Raptor Red in honor of the birds they release on the property. The labels even feature images of the
birds. Currently on the tasting list is the 2008 Raptor Red, a blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with hints of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Viognier. A dollar is donated to the Carolina Raptor Center for each bottle of Raptor Red that is sold. The 2010 Raptor Red is available for purchase by the bottle.
The Raptor Red is a favorite of Glen Morris as is the Barbera. Morris and his wife Barb, from Denver, are frequent visitors to the Yadkin Valley Wine Region.
“I like red wines that are oaky,” Glen Morris said. Barb, on the other hand, said she preferred the sweeter wines like Brandon Hills’ Raspberry Rendez-vous and Amaretto Amoré.
Blackwell said even wine lovers who claim only to like dry red wines have fallen for the Amaretto Amoré, which features natural amaretto flavoring in a red blend wine. Blackwell said he often serves this with or even as a dessert.
“The added amaretto gives you a sweetness, but it’s not the sweetness you expect in a wine, it just takes your taste buds a totally different direction. It’s nice,” Morris said, though Barb
From page 15
BrandonKitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple
Color fish swim gracefully by at Brandon Hills Vineyard.
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Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple
The back porch at Brandon Hills Vineyard offers a lovely view of the vineyard.
A bird of prey takes flight into the vineyard at Brandon Hills after being released from rehabilitation at the Carolina Raptor Center. | Photo courtesy of Brandon Hills Vineyard.
doesn’t often share her sweet wines with him.
“We always have to buy twice as much because we can’t share,” Glen said with a laugh.
Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, white Merlot and Brandon Berry Black, a blackberry wine, also are featured at Brandon Hills Vineyard.
With a variety of dry whites, reds and several sweeter wines, Brandon Hills has some-thing to please every palette. Its out-of-the-way location also provides a scenic spot for those looking to get away from the maddening crowd.
“We encourage people to come and sit out on the deck. We like people to come out and picnic on the deck, they’ve got the beautiful view of the
vineyard. Bring your pet if you want, we’ve got a water bowl on the porch for the dogs. We’re kind of off-the-beaten path, we don’t see as much traffic and that kind of fits our style a little bit. We’d rather have time where we can interface with people than be slammed all the time. We like the small crowd, where people can come out and have a more intimate experience,” Black-well said.
Brandon Hills Vineyard is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sun-days, and by appointment. For more information, visit www.brandonhillsvineyard.com or check out their Facebook page.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.
Photos courtesy of Brandon Hills Vineyard
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Staff Report
20 North Carolina wineries receive 96 medals
The results from the 2016 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition (FLIWC) have been announced. The competition took place March 19 and 20 in Roches-ter, New York.
Noni Bacca Winery of Wilm-ington earned 25 medals, bring-ing their eight-year total in this competition to 136 medals to date. This year included two gold medals, 10 silver and 13 bronze. Noni Bacca Winery was second only to E&J Gallo, of Modesto, California, in numbers of entries and awards earned in 2016. This is proof-positive that there are world-class wines coming out of North Carolina.
Altogether, North Carolina win-eries brought home 96 medals. The people of North Carolina and the North Carolina wine industry should take notice and be very proud.
Toni and Ken Incorvaia estab-lished Noni Bacca Winery in 2007
as a way to express and share their knowledge, creativity and passion for wine through offering tastings, classes and an inviting atmosphere for both wine novices and enthusiasts alike. The winery is dressed head-to-toe in 60 variet-ies of world-class artisan wines, all handcrafted and handled from fermentation to sealing by the Incorvaias.
The atmosphere is welcoming, non-judgmental, comfortable and fun — perfect for a social outing with friends or for an educational experience exploring the tastes of the diverse selection. “One of our goals is to be world-class wine producers,” said Toni and Ken Incorvaia, owners of Noni Bacca Winery. “We offer a world of wine to the visiting tourists and locals alike. Our passion for what we do is reflected in our product and our expansive wine sales are a direct reflection of that.”
This year’s competition was the largest yet, with 3,824 wines entered from 916 wineries located in 26 countries around the world, including six Canadian prov-inces, and all 50 states. Each wine
entered was judged by an incred-ibly diverse group of 73 judges from around the globe who come to judge the best wines in the world. All the proceeds from the competition benefit a great cause, Camp Good Days and Special Times, an organization that sends terminally ill children and their families to camp for free.
North Carolina ranks 10th in both grape and wine produc-tion in the United States. The state’s wine industry continues to expand, and today is one of the United States’ five most visited state destinations for wine and culinary tourism.
“The Finger Lakes Interna-tional Wine Competition is the most elite wine competition that draws the most diverse entries of any wine competition,” said Lubos Barta, editor-in-chief of (CZ) Sommelier magazine. “The competition helps to boost recog-nition and sales of wines and win-eries that enter, which is mutually benefitting.”
For more information on the wine competition, visit www.fliwc.com.
Noni Bacca Winery ‘stomps’ the competition North Carolina Winery & Vineyard winners and medals earned include:
Adagio Vineyards, Elkin ~ 1 Silver, 3 BronzeBurntshirt Vineyards, Hendersonville ~ 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 BronzeDaveste Vineyards, Troutman ~ 3 BronzeGermanton Vineyard & Winery, Germanton ~ 2 Silver, 1 BronzeGrove Winery, Gibsonville ~ 2 SilverHerrera Vineyards, Dobson ~ 1 Silver, 1 BronzeHoneygirl Meadery, Durham ~ 1 Silver, 1 BronzeJones von Drehle Vineyards, Thurmond ~ 2 Silver, 2 BronzeLaurel Gray Vineyards, Hamptonville ~ 2 Silver, 2 BronzeMountain Brook Winery, Tryon ~ 1 Silver, 1 BronzeNoni Bacca Winery, Wilmington ~ 2 Gold, 10 Silver, 13 BronzeOwl’s Eye Vineyard and Winery, Shelby ~ 1 Silver, 2 BronzeRayLen Vineyards, Mocksville ~ 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 BronzeRound Peak Vineyards, Mount Airy ~ 1 Double Gold, 1 SilverSanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg ~ 3 Silver, 4 BronzeShadow Springs Vineyard, Hamptonville ~ 1 BronzeShelton Vineyards, Dobson ~ 2 Gold, 4 Silver, 1 BronzeSweet Home Carolina Vineyard & Winery, Yadkinville ~ 1 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 BronzeWeathervane Winery, Lexington ~ 5 Silver, 1 Bronze WoodMill Winery, Vale ~ 1 Silver
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Where all five senses are met With Exceptional Elegance
336-258-2333 •www.adagiovineyards.com • 139 Benge Drive • Elkin, NC 28621
By Gill Giese
Old “saws” attempt to reduce wine making to a sound bite. For example, you have prob-ably heard, “good wine is made in the vineyard” or “you can-not make good wine from bad grapes” or still another, “you can make bad wine from good grapes but you cannot make good wine from bad grapes.” They remind one of that ques-tion dealing with eggs and/or fried chicken.
Some winemakers lay short-comings of their wines at the foot of the vineyard manager and a few vineyard managers maintain that a winemaker goofed and destroyed flavorful grape harvest by making less than a double gold medal wine! Hey folks — fermentation hap-pens! The vineyard and winery are properly viewed as one entity, two sides of same coin. What happens in the vineyard will continue to happen in the winery and ultimately in the consumer’s glass — it is a con-tinuous, inseparable process. Ultimately, the winegrower’s job is to grow the best grapes possible and not mess them up in the wine making process — it is a delicate balance.
That being said, this time of year is “make it or break it” time in area vineyards. Most bottling is done and the winery stands relatively quiet. Not so in the vineyard. The vines are in bloom, post-bloom and “fruit-set” from mid-May to mid-June. The nascent grape berries become visible at this time and attain ‘BB’ size, in other words, the current vin-tage becomes visible. While rain is generally looked upon favorably by most farmers, winegrowers know their grape-vines need only a fraction of that required by other crops like corn and soybeans and most vegetables. As a matter
of fact, grapes can survive and thrive with about 400-700 mm (15-27 inches) of rainfall per year. Some Yadkin Valley vineyards have received over nine inches in the month of May alone! Vineyard workers and smart, savvy, proactive winemakers are in the field this time of year. In fact, in most of Yadkin Valley vineyards those people are the same person! These winegrowers realize that what happens in the vineyard now will enhance and ensure a good harvest and enable a great wine.
This seasonal stage of the vine’s growth is referred to as the “grand period of growth” and vines canes can grow over an inch in 24 hours! So the vines are indeed “growing like kudzu,” but what we want are grapes — sweet, flavorful, aromatic and in the case of red varieties, we want rich, dark colorful grapes — not lush foliage! Winegrowers must go through the vineyard row by row and move wires that hold the vine’s shoot upright, remove leaves from around each cluster to allow sunlight and air to reach them, hedge/trim the shoots as they grow beyond the trellis, spray to control weeds and insects. Also, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, downy mil-dew, phomopsis and botrytis are major threats at this time and the threat of infection is exacerbated by rain and humid-ity. Another disease, black rot, is prevalent at this time of year, and if you happen to have some grapes in your backyard that never ripen without rotting, then you have likely felt the pain of the winegrower who is less than vigilant at this time of year. But, the difference between those backyard grapes and a commercial winegrower who allows black rot to happen may be the success or failure
of his/her business. Busy? If you grow grapes you are!
Finally, please know that the observations and tasks I have attempted to describe/explain here have been empirically and experientially prov-en to some degree. And, despite a late damaging frost that hurt many early varieties, such as Chardonnay — the 2016 Yadkin Valley vintage is progressing nicely. But as the “old saw” goes, “Ask three winemakers their opinion and you will get four answers.”
Cheers!
Gill Giese is the winemaker at Shelton Vineyards in Dobson.
Winemaker’s CornerThe balance of vineyard and winery
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