Monticello Wine Trail Leads To Treasures of Virginia Wine

Virginia's Monticello Wine Trail Offers unique terroir, passionate winemakers, and collaborative spirit. 

Thomas Jefferson, founding father and wine lover, envisioned vineyards surrounding his mountaintop home, Monticello, and wines from his native state of Virginia attaining world-class status. While he never lived to see the dream fulfilled, today the more than 40 wineries of the Monticello Wine Trail are working to make his vision reality.

Last month we visited the wine trail in the Charlottesville, VA, area and discovered scenic panoramas, friendly faces, and elevated wine.

Barboursville Vineyards

The Library 1821 tasting at Barboursville Vineyards is a celebration of Virginia wine. It takes place in a posh library overlooking a sloping vineyard of Cabernet Franc with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background. Wines include two dozen selections including the numerous vintages of the flagship Octagon red blend dating back to 2007.

Octagon is a blend of estate-grown Bordeaux varietals, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. It is only produced in fine vintage years. The 2020 vintage is an angelic-tasting experience with velvety tannins and notes of cooked plums, ripe red berries, herbs, and a touch of oak. It has a finish that lingers. 

Winemaker and General Manager Luca Paschina, who grew up in a winemaking tradition in Piemonte, Italy, focuses on texture and mouthfeel, knowing that the grapes will assuredly deliver aroma, taste, and color. The soil and climate at Barboursville have helped establish a very European style.

There's a lot to love with the Library 1821 tasting (and food is available). In addition to Octagon, the Petit Verdot Reserve 2019 and Paxxito dessert wines were exceptional.

While visiting, be sure to make a stop at the Barboursville Ruins (on the winery grounds), the crumbling remains of Governor James Barbour's Jefferson-designed mansion. The octagon-shaped drawing room in this house lends its name to the winery's premier wine.

King Family Vineyards

King Family Vineyards didn't aspire to produce wine at its beginning, instead when David and Ellen King moved from Texas to Virginia in 1995, they sought 12 acres of flat farmland for a polo field. It didn't take long to realize the land's potential as a vineyard site. The farm now contains both Roseland Polo and King Family Vineyards.

Sipping a chilled glass of wine outside on the winery's patio while watching polo ponies and riders practice on the polo field with a panorama of mountains in the background is an enchanting experience. The 2022 Viognier has a floral aroma with honeysuckle and stone fruit on the palate. Our friend described this as "sipping love from a cloud." Roseland, a classic Virginia blend of  Chardonnay, Viognier, and Petit Manseng, is also recommended.

The reds at King Family are rich and rewarding. The 2024 Cabernet Franc, a 2024 Governor's Cup winner, features black cherry and white pepper notes. The 2020 Meritage is a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and Petit Verdot is a memorable wine. The 2021 Petit Verdot was our favorite red, with inspiring flavors of smooth, juicy raspberry, just the right amount of tannins, and a lush body.

King Family Vineyards is an exceptional winery experience. Located in Crozet, it offers self-guided wine flights, guided tastings, and winery tours.

Chestnut Oak Vineyard

Small is beautiful, or it can be if you discover a hidden gem winery. Chestnut Oak Vineyard is such a find. A small, peaceful winery, it has earned some huge accolades. After a long day on the trail (wine trail, that is), this intimate tasting room was perfect for enjoying outstanding Monticello AVA wine.

We recommend this not only for the wine but the outstanding artwork. The bright and playful mural by artist Carol Barber transforms the space into a one-of-a-kind experience. The Chestnut One and Chestnut Two Bordeaux-style blends have earned high honors in the prestigious Governor's Cup competition.

The 2021 Rosa Virginiana Rosé, made with Merlot and Petit Verdot, bursts with fresh strawberries and peach flavors. My favorite on the red side was the 2019 Merlot, which delivers ripe red fruit notes, smokiness, and just the right amount of tannins. The caramel flavor in the finish was the perfect touch.

Chestnut Oak in Barboursville is open Friday through Monday.

Afton Mountain Vineyards

On the eastern slope of its namesake mountain, Afton Mountain Vineyards was founded in 1978 as one of the first vineyards in Virginia. At nearly 1,000 feet elevation, a layer of fog clung to the vines as we arrived for our recent visit. In addition to the stylish tasting room, there is a pavilion for larger groups.

The 2023 Albariño is a shining example of how fabulous this grape can be in the US. It is refreshing with citrus, green fruit, and apricot notes. 

The clay and loam soil produces some tremendous reds. The 2022 Merlot, smooth with lush cranberry flavors, shows why people should love this grape. I wrongly assumed that the 2019 Bacco would be Bacco Noir. Instead this delightful Super Tuscan-style wine is a salute to Bacchus, the god of wine and agriculture. It is a blend of Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, and Tannat. It has flavors of black currant, smooth blackberry, and mint. This was one of the top wines on our five-winery tour.

T is the flagship wine of AMV. This Bordeaux-style blend has Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was selected as a Governor's Cup gold medal winner this year. A well-balanced wine, the 2019 vintage has pronounced tannins and robust black fruit flavors. We were delighted to be able to taste this alongside the 2017 T vintage.

Crest Of The Blue Ridge A New Home For Top Quality North Carolina Wine

Photos and article by          

Dave Nershi, CSW

The Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA is perched on the Eastern Continental Divide. North Carolina’s newest AVA, it spans 215 acres and features seven wineries with more on the way.

Warm days and cool mountain nights coupled with the right soils and quality water provide a favorable combination for producing quality grapes and wine. The wineries are a short drive from Hendersonville, NC, a vibrant Blue Ridge mountain town that offers a popular downtown with shops, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and pubs.

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During our recent trip we visited five wineries and enjoyed a truly elevated experience.

Burntshirt Vineyards

The curious name for this vineyard stems from a European custom of burning back vines to the ground to renew the nutrients in the soil. According to folklore, if you burned a shirt in the fire, it brought prosperity and good fortune. We visited the Hendersonville tasting room located at 2695 Sugarloaf Road (there’s also a tasting room at Chimney Rock).

At the heart of the winery are two vineyards one on each side of the continental divide. The highest is on Burntshirt Mountain, at 3,400 feet. Also at the Hendersonville location is their wonderful Vintner’s Table restaurant, where we enjoyed a superb paired food and wine tasting, thanks to the skills of Chef Clint Betts.

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Standouts included the 2021 Dry Riesling paired with the pork belly, chevre fritter, and pickled red onion appetizer. Seared scallops and rosé were followed by my favorite wine, the 2021 Altitude 3400, a red blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chambourcin, paired with sesame tuna. A beautiful fillet and the 2021 Cab Franc Reserve was a high point on which to end our lunch.

Burntshirt offers a range of wines to suit all palates, including dry, sweet, and dessert-style wines. This is a true destination winery you’ll want to include on your next visit.

Souther Williams Vineyard

Located in Fletcher, Souther William is a 35-acre estate in Hoopers Creek valley. The farm has been in Ken Parker’s family for more than 220 years. What used to be home for apple trees, livestock, and tobacco, is now an estate winery in with a focus on grapes from Germany and Eastern Europe.

Ken spent a career in banking. Since he has a love of all things wine, it was only natural that he and his wife Angela Adams would start a winery. Souther Williams opened in August 2021 and today features 10 acres under vine including three whites, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, and Vidal Blanc along with five reds, Cynthiana (Norton), Blaufrankish (Lemberger), Regent, Saperavi, and Cabernet Franc.

The 2021 Gruner is well-balanced with citrus and pepper notes. The 2022 Vidal Blanc has a luscious fruitiness with tropical notes. An exceptional wine is the 2019 More Shenanigans, which features 60% Cynthiana, 25% Blaufrankish as well as Regent and Cab Franc. It has fresh fruit flavors with brambly blackberry notes, with fresh cranberry and spice touches.

Souther Williams’ unique open-air tasting pavilion is in the midst of the vines and is perfect in all weather.

Stone Ashe Vineyard

Craig and Tina Little had a vision to establish an estate vineyard similar to the great growing regions of France. Today their vision has taken root at 736 Green Mountain Road in Hendersonville. Stone Ashe Vineyard is named for the soil at their site, which provides outstanding drainage. The vineyard’s steep slopes and microclimate are well-suited for growing elegant fruit.

Channeling a ski resort vibe, the tasting room is an upscale experience with a spectacular view from 2,300 feet. It’s the ideal setting to enjoy their meticulously crafted estate wines. An example is the 2020 Cabernet Franc. As Craig says, many wineries in North Carolina produce Cabernet Franc, but few do it well. The grapes are hand-picked with unripe berries removed. Three different clones are used, and picking is done at the optimal time.

The wine has a deep violet color with a ripe berry aroma and blackberry, herbs, and vanilla on the palate. All Stone Ashe wines are estate-grown. Other standouts include the 2021 Montrachet-style Chardonnay, the delicate Sauvignon Blanc, and the Provence-style rosé.

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards was the first commercial winery in Henderson County. In 2008, Alan Ward established the winery on farmland that had been in the family for centuries. The farm offers vinifera wines at the tasting room as well as Normandy-style cider at the adjacent Appalachian Ridge Cidery.

 Winemaker and cider maker Kelly Rivera Meyers has experience at Virginia wineries as well as Burntshirt Vineyards. A new production facility was opened in 2021, enabling Kelly to combine the best of old and new winemaking techniques. She shared two barrel samples of Petit Verdot, one using délestage, which provides additional oxygenation to the wine to give a lovely soft texture.

The Saint Paul tasting room is a vibrant meeting place for friends to enjoy live music and outstanding wine. It features a walnut bar and a patio that overlooks a five-acre vineyard. The quirky tubular tasting features wine served in test tubes. The 2021 Vidal Blanc has lovely notes of tropical fruit and green apple. The 2022 Nouveau Jour is a Merlot blend aged three months in neutral oak. Stop by to discover your favorite.

Marked Tree Vineyard

Marked Tree Vineyard is located in Flat Rock on the eastern Continental Divide, situated at an elevation of 2,300 feet. The sloped hills provide good drainage for the vines and the warm days and cool nights allow the grapes sufficient time to develop subtle flavors and character as they ripen.

Early settlers in the area noticed oddly shaped trees. The trees were formed and shaped by Native Americans to point out water, hunting grounds, a locations of food. The ancient navigation system now points directly to really outstanding wine.

Lance Hiatt and Tim Parks wanted to leave their careers in architecture and luxury retail sales. Today their stylish winery, with floor-to-ceiling windows with inspirational views of the hills and the vineyard, is the perfect location to enjoy award-winning North Carolina wine. The 2022 Grüner Veltliner is exceptional with grassy notes, stone fruit, and a peppery touch. The Chloe Rosé is a blend of Lemberger and Muscat Ottonel. It has a fruity mouthfeel of melon, citrus and strawberries. My favorite red is Watershed Red, a luscious blend of Cabernet Franc and Lemberger.

For more information about Hendersonville, see https://visithendersonvillenc.org/

Following the Surry County Wine Trail Yields Top North Carolina Wine Discoveries

North Carolina Is becoming a favorite destination for wine and culinary experiences. Join us as our travels explore Yadkin Valley and the outstanding wineries of the Surry County Wine Trail.

Round Peak Vineyards, Mt. Airy

Round Peak Vineyards is the northernmost winery in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina’s acclaimed wine country. Round Peak also holds another distinction as the first winery we visited in North Carolina.

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We were scouting to find a new home and Round Peak was close to the interstate as we travelled to Raleigh. As we walked through the doors, we thought, “If all the wineries in the state are like this, it will be fantastic.” Panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains added to the experience.

Owners Ken Gulaian and Kari Heerdt strive to make the winery a relaxing retreat. Indeed, sitting on the covered porch and looking out at the manicured vines is quite a peaceful experience. It’s certainly a change for the couple, who were introduced to California wine country while working jobs in the Bay area. The pair bought the winery just off Interstate 77 west of Mount Airy in 2008.

Today the winery produces estate wine from 12 acres of grapes and 13 grape varieties. Ken, led us through a tasting starting with the surprising Sparkling Elderflower wine. Eight hundred elderberry flowers were harvested from the vineyard, making the perfect summer quencher. It is a blend of 40% elderflower and 60% Vidal Blanc.

Round Peak produces Vidal Blanc in three styles: dry, sweet, and sparkling. La Petite Vendange (little harvest) is the dry version and is crisp and fruity with luscious pear notes.

Cabernet Sauvignon is a challenge for any North Carolina winery, so Round Peak focuses elsewhere. Ken is known for his Nebbiolo, an Italian grape that is grown by only one other winery in the state. The 2013 vintage is a tasteful experience, with leather, tar, sour cherry, and licorice notes. It is his signature wine.

Round Peak does small lots of wine, often in the 28 to 75-case range. Changes are afoot in the vineyard. Coming soon will be the first harvest of Petit Manseng and Chardonel, a hybrid with Chardonnay attributes, which will be planted this year.

After tasting the Petit Verdot and a robust Merlot, we closed with the 2019 Tannat. Tannat is the national grape of Uruguay but has soared in popularity in the Tar Heel State. The Round Peak Tannat is intense, with dark fruit flavors, pepper, and plentiful tannins.

Round Peak has something for everyone. In addition to the wide range of wines, it is also home to Skull Camp Brewery (with a tasting room in Elkin too). There are two cabins overlooking the vines, plus a one-of-a-kind disc golf course going through the vineyard featuring baskets constructed from retired barrels and recycled bicycle wheels.

Wally’s Service Station and Mayberry Squad Car Tour, Mt. Airy

Fans of the Andy Griffith Show may know Mt. Airy, Griffith’s childhood home, as the inspiration for TV’s town of Mayberry. Mt. Airy fully embraced it with the Andy Griffith Museum, Floyd’s Barbershop, Aunt Bea’s restaurant, and Snappy Lunch. Griffith’s grade school is now the Andy Griffith Playhouse. His childhood home is an attraction that’s available for nightly rentals.

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Wally’s Service Station is a popular attraction, an original service station built in 1937 and operated as a Gulf Station and then later as a Standard Oil Station or Esso. It has old-fashioned candy, bottled drinks, and a wonderful variety of unique gifts and souvenirs.

Nearby are the Mayberry Courthouse and Otis' Jail Cell and other replicas of the set of the show. The big attraction is the Squad Car Tour. The cost is $50 per car-load (we had three) and the tour with our knowledgeable guide was fun and memorable. He covered highlights of Mt. Airy (incorporated in 1885) and Andy Griffith as we tooled around in a vintage 1965 Ford Galaxie.

A surprise highlight was a mammoth granite quarry located east of town. It is the world’s largest open-faced granite quarry and produces what many consider the purest, densest, and most white granite available. The site covers 60 acres and has enough granite for at least another 500 years.

Stony Knoll Vineyards, Dobson

Stony Knoll Vineyards has a family history that is six generations long. It didn’t begin with the fine wine and grapes produced today, but rather in 1896 when Joseph Coe purchased a tract of land in Surry County. In the 1940s the land was cleared with hand tools and cultivation began. The cash crop then was tobacco and remained so until the late 1980s when a switch was made to hay and cattle.

In the late 1990s, Van Coe had a vision of changing to a new crop to preserve the family farm and way of life. Grapes were planted in 2001 and the tasting room opened in 2004. Today Stony Knoll grows nine grape varieties on 10 acres.

When Van decided to step back from running the day-to-day operation, son-in-law Jonah Hoosier stepped in to keep the family-led operation rolling. He certainly has the touch. The 2022 Viognier grabbed the 2023 NC Fine Wines Best in Show and Double Gold.

“Viognier is a finicky grape,” said Hoosier. “There was a lot of uncertainty about the vintage. In the 2021 season, there was frost damage causing some vines to be replaced. In 2022 there were heavy rains in July and August, threatening to disrupt the timing of harvest. The results were unexpectedly good. The wine has a soft aroma of floral notes. On the palate, it has delicious light pear, grapefruit, and honeysuckle – an all-around winner!

The portfolio of reds includes some tasty selections. The 2018 Cabernet Franc flows with black cherry and chocolate flavors. This medium-bodied wine finishes with velvety tannins.

A special treat for red wine lovers is the Master Exquisite Black Oak Stick reserve line which includes Chambourcin, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Bordeaux-style blend. The Black Oak moniker came about when an oak stave was found floating in the wine barrel. The flavor was distinctive so the practice has continued.

The 2014 MEBOS Cabernet BVC Parts is an equal blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. This notable wine has a silky mouthfeel and integrated tannins. There are rich fruit flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla.

Stony Knoll has Old World winemaking and hospitality. Soon you can expect to see wines from Corot Noir and Arandelle vines planted in 2020.

JOLO Winery and Vineyards, Pilot Mountain

Nestled in the shadows of North Carolina’s iconic Pilot Mountain stands another landmark. JOLO Winery has established itself as one of North Carolina’s premier wineries – and one that is garnering national acclaim.

At this year’s Rosé Competition, judges selected 2022 JOLO Pink as the best of show, outshining more than 150 other wines. Judge Sunny Fraser remarked, “When a wine from North Carolina is the Best in Show, it is reminiscent of a Judgment of Paris moment.  There are no preconceived ideas in a blind tasting; you’re just judging what’s in the glass.”

JOLO Pink is primarily Chambourcin, with smaller amounts of Vidal Blanc, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, and Traminette.  It has lip-smacking flavors of strawberry candy and watermelon. This is a perfect match for goat cheese.

The allure of JOLO is readily apparent. The estate showcases the natural beauty of the foothills with stunning views of Pilot Mountain. JOLO has wonderful grounds and a tasting lodge to tickle the fancy of any wine lover. The estate is a wine and food experience, with on-site restaurant End Posts being one of Winston-Salem’s top-rated Open Table dining establishments.

The wines range from refreshing, fruit-forward whites to powerful, award-winning reds. JOLO also stands out from many wineries for its use of French hybrids and lesser-known grapes. Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette are featured alongside better-known Bordeaux varieties. JOLO also features Cynthiana (also known as Norton) prominently. It is used in one of my favorite wines, Pilot Fog.

JOLOTAGE is the winery’s most famed wine. The 2022 vintage blends 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17.5% Chambourcin, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10.5% Merlot, and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in French and American oak, it has a smooth and mellow body with fine tannins and blueberry and vanilla notes. It’s a bargain at $42.

JOLOTAGE Reserve is a blend of the 2020 and 2021 vintages, which receive extended aging. There are more extracted flavors with dark fruit flavors of blackberry and pie crust.

There are plenty of high-end bottles to explore with Pilot Shadow, Cuvee Selection, Carolus XII, and Devil’s Hill.

A wonderland for wine lovers, JOLO should be in your plans for your next trip. Its wines are also available online in 38 states.

Yadkin Valley and the Surry County Wine Trail offer friendly people, picturesque scenery, and wine that is elevating North Carolina’s reputation nationwide. To read the first part of this article, click here.

Surry County Wine Trail Highlights North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley Wine

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Part one of our journey in the heart of North Carolina’s wine country.

It’s a state of majestic mountains, scenic seashores, and lush pine forests. It’s also one of the top wine-producing states. No, we’re not talking about California, but rather North Carolina. North Carolina has approximately 200 wineries and 400 vineyards, ranking number 11 in state production of wine.

Not long after English settlers landed at Roanoke Island in present-day North Carolina, the grapevine was first cultivated in the New World. Wine growers in North Carolina cultivated a native grape variety, Scuppernong, which produces a sweet wine. Winemaking flourished. In fact, by the dawn of the 20th century, North Carolina was the leading wine-producing region in the nation.

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Prohibition changed all that, with the state becoming better known for moonshine and those moonshine runners helped to start the NASCAR sport. Now North Carolina wine is back in a big way. The heart of North Carolina Wine Country is Yadkin Valley. It recently experienced what some have called a “Judgement of Paris” moment for the Yadkin Valley when JOLO winery recently won “Best Rosé on the Planet” at The 10th Annual Rosé Competition.

JOLO is part of the Surry County Wine Trail in Yadkin Valley which includes 18 wineries in and around Surry County. The trail flows through the towns of Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy, and Pilot Mountain. Surry County could be considered the birthplace of North Carolina wine. Charlie and Ed Shelton of Shelton Vineyards in Dobson oversaw the effort to get the Yadkin Valley its official status as a federally recognized American Viticultural Area in 2003. It was North Carolina's first AVA. An area formerly known for tobacco farming; Yadkin Valley is now celebrated as a premier wine-producing area with over 40 wineries.

During a recent visit, we toured seven wineries that are part of the Surry County Wine Trail. We came away impressed with the quality and variety of the wine. Here’s the first half of our report.

NC Center for Viticulture and Enology at Surry Community College

Nothing demonstrates North Carolina’s commitment to producing premium wine more than the Shelton-Badgett NC Center for Viticulture and Enology. The center, located at Surry Community College in Dobson, was completed in 2009 and features a state-of-the-art commercial winery. Courses offered are targeted to those interested in becoming winery managers, tasting room managers, vineyard managers, winemakers, and wine marketers.

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Program Assistant Matthew Wilson provided a tour of Surry Cellars and its vineyard. Since the center receives many donations, they are blessed with an array of winemaking equipment that would be the envy of many in-state wineries. Surry Cellars produces a sought-after traditional method sparkling wine, Lot 154, made with 70% Petit Manseng, 20% Chardonnay, and 10% Traminette.

The program provides authentic hands-on experience including planting and tending the vineyard, making and bottling the wine, and marketing the final product. Even the eye-catching Surry Cellars label was designed by a student.

I’m a fan of Surry Cellar’s Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and their Chambourcin. Their Chambo is a Chambourcin that is made in a natural wine style. Kudzu flowers are used to isolate yeast used in its natural fermentation. Hard to believe that pesky kudzu can be used to produce such a beautiful wine, rich with raspberry and plum flavors and a touch of spice.

Chambo is part of the Surry Labs label produced by Surry Cellars. Surry Labs allows students to test ideas and winemaking methods in low-production runs. The Chambo is made with the malolactic fermentation and micro-oxygenation was used with French oak chips. This process gives the wine the character of more than a year of barrel aging in only two months.

There are eleven grape varieties in the vineyard including Petit Verdot, Tannat, Albariño, Traminette, Chardonnay, and Chardonel. Muscadine grapes will be added as part of a vineyard redevelopment project over the next two years.

Favorite Wine: 2022 “Chambo” Chambourcin

Surry’s Famous Ground Steak Sandwich

Before our next winery visit, we stopped for lunch at the Central Café in Dobson. The café is just the sort of place to enjoy a great homestyle meal. We got that plus a nice surprise. Dobson tourism coordinator Travis Frye introduced us to a historic treat: the ground steak sandwich.

Ground steak is a tasty variation of the hamburger with its origin in the Great Depression when local cooks devised a way to stretch the amount of food that could be made from a pound of ground beef or ground chuck.

Don’t confuse this with a sloppy joe, which is spicier and typically has ketchup or Worcestershire sauce. Ground steak can also be served on thick bread or entrée-style on a plate without the bun. Some restaurants in the area have been serving this favorite for more than 50 years. Each has its special recipe. The beef can be browned or boiled, spices include salt and pepper and in some cases hot sauce, was or milk is used to get the perfect consistency.

My sandwich was melt-in-your-mouth good. Explore this heritage food on the Surry Ground Steak Trail which includes 11 restaurants in Mt. Airy, Pilot Mountain, Dobson, and Elkin that serve this treat on their everyday menu.

Jones von Drehle

Jones von Drehle is a 130-acre estate winery and, according to co-founder Chuck Jones, everything about it is a fluke. In 2007 while driving through Yadkin Valley after his daughter’s soccer game, they passed a beautiful pasture and he exclaimed to his wife (and co-founder) Diana that this hillside would be perfect for a vineyard. Continuing to drive slowly past the property they spotted a ‘for sale” sign. Two weeks later they bought the land.

Another case of serendipity is the lovely Jones von Drehle 2022 Estate Viognier. When Chuck was looking to plant the vineyard, he wanted to plant Albariño but the nursery didn’t have any vines. Instead, he planted Viognier. It would be hard for Albariño to surpass the wonderful Viognier.  The 2022 vintage has a floral aroma leading to lush peach flavors and a soft finish.

Chuck describes growing grapes and making wine as a “slow-motion game.” Indeed, the winery is known for its long aging of wine. On the tasting menu are a 2017 Cabernet Franc and a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from 2015.

The wines are fruit-focused, from the rich cherry and plum notes of the 2015 Merlot to the 2020 Petit Manseng, a white with bold flavors of stone fruit and balanced crispness. Also crisp and delightful is the 2021 Blanc de Blanc, a gorgeous sparkling wine from Chardonnay made in the time-consuming traditional method.

Jones von Drehle offers a summer concert series in their scenic amphitheater and music follows you throughout your visit to the winery. In the tasting room and on the grounds music is featured from groups that have performed at the winery.

Favorite wine: 2018 Steel & Stone, a blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon

Serre Vineyards

At the end of Beast Trail in Mt. Airy lies not a haunted house, but a winery boasting scenic views and flavorful wines. Serre Vineyards is the passion project of Christian Krobisch and Melissa Hayes. The husband and wife team chose the name “Serre” which is pronounced like “share” and means greenhouse in French.

Serre opened in September 2020 and so at this point, the grapes and winemaking come from outside sources, specifically Round Peak and Childress wineries. The vines are now in the ground for the estate vineyard and as they bear fruit, the winery will transition to its own grapes.

The property is 70 acres of farmland at more than 1,300 feet in elevation with a stellar view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 3,000-square-foot tasting room is open and airy. It’s built in the modern farmhouse style with European accents.

The best spot to enjoy Serre is outside from the comfort of an Adirondack chair taking in the view of the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Cumberland Knob. With a glass of wine in your hand, of course.

“Flavor is why we’re in the business,” said Melissa. The wines we sampled certainly lived up to that billing. The 2022 Rêvasser, a carbonated Vidal Blanc, is the quintessential pick for a sultry summer day. The name is French for daydream, it’s crisp, bubbly, and bright.

New since our last visit is the 2019 Port Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is aged for 17 months in Port barrels, which conveys depth and a delectable sweetness not normally found in a North Carolina Cabernet. The 2019 “The Blend” is a Super Tuscan-style bottle that charmingly blends Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Montepulciano.

Favorite wine: 2019 The Blend, a Super Tuscan blend

Shelton Vineyards

Our first full day in Yadkin Valley was capped with a visit to Shelton Vineyards and their celebrated restaurant Harvest Grill. Shelton, with a 400-acre estate and one of the largest vineyards on the East Coast, is a leader in North Carolina wine.

We’ve been to Shelton on several occasions but this was a remarkable evening. Executive Chef Mark Thrower prepared an assortment of mouth-watering small plates based on the restaurant menu to accompany our wine selections. We savored the dishes in a prime location in the restaurant as we watched dusk fall on the vineyard and grounds.

In a creative twist on shrimp and grits, our first course was Shrimp & Middlins. Middlins are the broken and smaller pieces of rice from the hulling process. The dish was jumbo shrimp, wild boar sausage, blistered grape tomatoes, butter and spring onions on creamy Carolina Gold Rice “grits.” This was paired with the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s tropical fruit notes and light acidity were a pleasing pairing.

The strawberry bibb salad featured goat cheese from a local farm and aeroponically-grown lettuce. Aeroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil, quite a trick. This summery dish was matched with the 2021 Two-Five-Nine Dry Rosé, which has flowing strawberry and citrus flavors.

The Two Five Nine Tannat was paired with seared duck breast and blackberry-Malbec reduction. This Tannat recently received top honors in a tasting of Tannat from around the world conducted by sommelier and friend merlot2muscadine.

Big entrées call for big wines and so 2017 Two Five Nine Franklin was paired with the center-cut filet mignon. This was served with duck fat cipollini onion and cremini mushroom confit, scratch bordelaise, parsley truffle butter, and roasted fingerlings. Wow!

This limited reserve wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Tannat. The Tannat provides the heft for this wine which features dark fruit, chocolate, and leather. This is a substantial and beautiful wine.

Shelton is a shining example of North Carolina wine, fine food, and hospitality.

Favorite wine: 2017 Two Five Nine Franklin

Shelton Vineyards Hosts Special Event

Iconic North Carolina winery hosts wine writers and media.

 

Shelton Style And Quality Wines Impress

Story by Dave Nershi, CSW  -   Photos by Corrie Huggins

Eastern wineries have long labored in the shadows of their West Coast counterparts. We get it. As much as we appreciate bottles from Napa, there are stellar wineries on the other coast, right under our noses. One such gem is Shelton Vineyards, one of the largest vineyards on the East Coast. It’s located in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley and shares a growing season and climate similar to the best wine-growing regions of Europe.

Shelton recently threw open the doors to the winery and tasting room during a special event for wine bloggers, writers, and influencers. The event featured a dine-around throughout the winery. We wound our way from the crush pad to the tank room and the barrel cave before ending in the tasting room. All the while we enjoyed selected wines crafted by winemaker Ethan Brown with tasty small dishes by Executive Chef Mark Thrower.

The winery was founded by brothers Charlie and Ed Shelton in 1999. Today, a wide range of grapes are grown on the Shelton estate, which has more than 400 acres. Varieties include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng.

The wine and food pairings were:

Crush Pad: Sauvignon Blanc & Joyce Farm’s Chicken Napa cabbage roll with lemon and basil

Work Room: Cabernet Sauvignon & Slivered peppered “Naked” duck breast, cherry-cab gastrique, Farro salad

Tank Room: Tannat & Lamb lollipop, Danish blue stuffed Castelvetrano olives, roasted tomato coulis

Barrel Cave: Sparkling Riesling & Poached shrimp on Lavosh, honey-lime mascarpone, pickled golden beet, pepper jelly

The food pairings were delicious. Chef Mark oversees the on-site restaurant, the Harvest Grill. We’ve dined at the grill on several occasions and were dazzled each time. My favorite pairing was the lamb lollipop with their smashing Tannat. Of special interest is the sparkling program. Still in its infancy, it’s making some nice strides. We finished the formal program in the cool barrel cave with a toast of sparkling Riesling.

Many thanks to Summer Baruth, Shelton marketing director, for putting together all the wonderful pieces, and to my blogging friends and colleagues. Shelton is a destination winery in North Carolina’s wine county that should be on your next itinerary.

Quartet Of Wineries Featured in #NC Wine Summit Tour

It hardly seems possible. I just attended the Fifth Annual #NC Wine Digital Media Summit. I attended the summit back in 2019 and had a blast. The last two have been virtual, and while it was a good program, there’s just no replacing a face-to-face meeting with real, live people.

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For me, the highlight of the event, organized by the NC Wine Guys, is the pre-summit winery tours exploring North Carolina wine. This year we visited Shelton Vineyards, Hidden Vineyard, Haze Gray Vineyards, and finished off with a dinner at Golden Road Vineyard. We were transported in style by Van In Black.

Shelton Vineyards

Shelton’s vineyard is one of the largest on the East Coast. There are 10 varieties grown at Shelton and heading to the tasting room, we passed row upon row of carefully pruned vines. Grapes grown on the 1,000-acre estate are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng.

We were treated to a spectacular tasting of their reserve wines in the tank room. Winemaker Ethan Brown led us through the tasting of seven different wines that ranged from sparkling rosé to Yadkin Valley Port. The range of their wines is dazzling, with more than 20 different wines available. Of special note are the Petite Manseng, Sparkling Rosé, Franklin, and Yadkin Valley Riesling. The Petite Manseng is one of the best white wines in North Carolina and this one has vibrant tropical flavors with limestone and acidity. The Franklin is a blend of Cabernet, Merlot, and Tannat. The Tannat gives Franklin a kick in the pants with robust dark fruit, oak, and cherry flavors. We capped our visit with a delicious lunch in the intimate setting of the barrel room.

Shelton is one of the leaders of the North Carolina wine industry and with good reason.

Hidden Vineyard

From one of the largest wineries in the state, we next traveled to one of the smaller ones. Hidden Vineyard has a well-tended nine-acre vineyard that yields eight different grapes including some of our favs: Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Chambourcin. Located between Dobson and Pilot Mountain, this secluded boutique winery is well worth finding.

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The tasting room was built in the industrial farmhouse design with stylish contemporary touches as well as barnwood. It is compact, but if it fills up, there is plenty of seating and picnic areas outside. You can also stroll down Pilot Path amongst the vines. The path is so named because you get a perfect view of Pilot Mountain during your walk. The vineyard and tasting room are on the site of a former tobacco farm and a restored tobacco barn is now available to rent as a cabin.

Owners Tim and Lisa Sherman aim to produce quality Bordeaux-style wines and we tasted some outstanding ones. The wines have whimsical names and Lunchbox is a tasty barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Call Me A Cab is Cabernet Franc with tart berry notes, earthiness, and some herbaceousness. 131 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot aged in French Oak. Claus is barrel-aged Chambourcin that has flavors of vanilla, cocoa, and black cherry. A first-time visit for us and we’ll certainly be back.

Haze Gray Vineyards

I’ve heard the name Haze Gray Vineyards many times. Uneducated person that I am, I assumed Haze Gray was a person, perhaps an early settler of Yadkin Valley. But no, turns out that haze gray is the color of US Navy ships. Haze Gray is a veteran-owned and operated vineyard and winery that displays the Homegrown by Heroes brand. It certifies ranchers, farmers, and fishermen of all military eras to sell their products as veteran-owned and produced. Owners Deane and Becky Muhlenberg both were raised in military families and Deane served for 30 years in the US Navy as a flight officer.

The tasting room opened in 2019. One of the focal points inside is a wall that features a large wooden propeller and dozens of photos of veterans. Photos from veterans or family members are welcome to be displayed in this area, just one way Haze Gray salutes veterans. Their nine acres of grapes produce some outstanding wines, including Aviator Red. It’s a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Chambourcin. It qualifies as a “party in your mouth” and one dollar from each bottle sold is contributed to the USO.

As far as white wines go, three are offered: a stainless steel Chardonnay, a barrel-fermented Chard, and a dry Traminette. The 2019 Stainless Steel Chardonnay has crisp flavors of pear and apples. Another excellent wine is the 2021 Dry Traminette. Traminette is related to Gewürztraminer and is an aromatic wine with floral scents and apricot and stone fruit flavors. Beautifully done!

Golden Road Vineyards

Golden Road is another Homegrown Heroes winery. It’s owned and operated by Chad and Christa Guebert. Chad served as a submarine officer in the US Navy and became interested in wine while stationed in Italy. They purchased Golden Road in 2017 to convert a vineyard that sold grapes to other wineries into one that produced its own wine. The tasting room opened in 2019. As part of the pre-summit activities, we enjoyed a rollicking good catered dinner at the winery paired with some wonderful wines.

We first tried the Emergency Blow sparkling Traminette. I was first introduced to this by my good friend Arthur Barham. I wondered about the name, but it turns out that it’s a submarine maneuver that forces compressed air into the ballast tanks to blow out the water. This causes a rapid rise to the surface. Emergency Blow is the first sparkling Traminette that I’ve tasted. It’s light, lovely, and packed with flavor.

The tasting room is small and beautifully furnished. One wall is finished with wine barrel staves. Outside there are comfortable chairs with a perfect view of sunsets. Our favorite red was the 2018 Go With The Flo’, which is a blend of Merlot and Petit Verdot. The Petit Verdot grapes were harvested under the gray clouds from Hurricane Florence. This is rich, smooth, and flavorful.

And this only covers the action-packed day before the #NCWine Digital Media Summit began. the summit itself, held at the Surry Community College NC Viticultural Center, was stuffed with great educational sessions, networking, food and – yes – wine. Many thanks to the sponsors, speakers, and Matt and Joe of NC Wine Guys (our organizers).

Divine Llama Vineyards: North Carolina Winery Visit

Critters with four hooves steal the show at this North Carolina winery.

A Nice Glass Of Wine Plus Llamas To Boot

We were enjoying a nice lunch in North Carolina Wine Country when the Green Dragon (my wife) mentioned that she had heard of a winery with llamas. We’ve visited a good number of wineries in Yadkin Valley, but never Divine Llama Vineyards. A quick check of the map showed we were just a short hop away, so off we went.

Divine Llama, located at 4126 Divine Llama Lane in East Bend, has dual attractions. First, it has an enjoyable tasting room with great outdoor space for picnicking with a nice glass of vino. Second, it has llamas galore. We decided to explore the wine first and then visit the llamas.

We settled into the covered outdoor tasting area to enjoy a flight. There are a variety of seating areas: rocking chairs, picnic tables near the vines, sofas, and more spread around the grounds. We opted for the outdoor bar because it had ceiling fans and this was one of those humid North Carolina days.

Divine Wines

Divine Llama has a wide range of wines, including Traminette, Chardonel, and Chambourcin, three French hybrid grapes that do particularly well in the soil and climate of Yadkin Valley. Traminette has spicy notes akin to Gewürztraminer while Chardonel has many characteristics of Chardonnay. Chambourcin is a red wine that simply shines in North Carolina.

There is a wine for every palate at Divine Llama. Some are semi-sweet, some sweet, and some even have a touch of berry or fruit juice added. If you visit Divine Llama you’ll be served in plastic cups unless you buy glasses or bring your own – so come prepared.

For our flight, we opted for a nicely chilled Pinot Gris followed by the Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Chambourcin. The Pinot Gris was a great refreshing sip that dispelled our clammy summertime blues. It has flavors of pear and green apple. The Cabernet Franc was light-bodied but delivered scrumptious flavors. It gets 20 months of oak aging to develop added complexity.

Petit Verdot is a grape variety that has been crushing it (pardon the pun!) in North Carolina. This was a winner with nicely developed tannins and rich blackberry and cherry notes. For me, the Chambourcin was the highlight. The profile is fruit-forward with a healthy dose of raspberry and vanilla flavors. Each bottle we tasted was $24, except the Petit Verdot, which is $28.

Up Close And Personal – With Llamas

Fortified by wine, it was time to visit the llamas. The on-site Four Ladies & Me Farm is a family-run North Carolina llama farm and the largest llama farm in the Southeast. If you come only to visit the llamas and not enjoy the wine, there is a $10 charge. Otherwise, you can head down the gravel road to visit the featured guests.

If you are planning a visit, we suggest checking the weather first. While you can enjoy the wine tucked nice and dry in the tasting room, it is a 10-minute walk to the llamas. While we walked down, we kept one eye on a billowing thundercloud that luckily didn’t spoil our fun. The walk down the gravel road also won’t be fun in high heels or uncomfortable shoes.

Along the way, you’ll see ponies and a working farm. We found one friendly llama grazing near the fence, but most were concentrated in two buildings that had hay bales and fans to keep them cool. The Green Dragon was over the moon spending time with the llamas.

If you want to go “all in” with the llamas, you can do a llama trek. The treks cost $50 per person. You must make reservations and – unfortunately – they are not available in the summer. The treks are about two miles long and follow a path over rolling hills and along Miller Creek. About halfway it is time for a water break beside the creek. This provides a perfect spot for pictures with your llama while feeding them treats. Treks begin and end near the wine-tasting facility where you can finish your adventure with a bottle of wine. Allow about two hours for your trek.

Looking for a wine trip that offers something extra – look no further than Divine Llama.

Dynamis Prepares To Open Doors To North Carolina’s Premier Luxury Winery

North Carolina wine lovers, get ready to take things up a notch! June 1 Dynamis Estate Wines will open their tasting room. 

Dynamis Wine Estate

By Dave Nershi, CSW

Driving up the curving roads to Dynamis Estate, the latest addition to the North Carolina wine scene, the sense of anticipation grows. We are in the Swan Creek AVA, which also includes such standout wineries as Shadow Spring, Raffaldini, and Piccione. The road to the top passes through fruit trees and immaculately groomed grapevines. Dynamis Estate Wines is located at the pinnacle, and that is the lofty place they hope to maintain both literally and figuratively.

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We were treated to a preview tasting at the Dynamis tasting lodge. The lodge is a historic building with beautiful views of the vineyard, and it will eventually be replaced by a new tasting room.

The estate is in the highest spot in Yadkin Valley, on the easternmost outcropping of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tasting room itself sits at 1,650 feet. “To have a premium wine brand, you need to have a premium site,” said winemaker Mat Worrell. He handles winemaking duties along with Katy Kidd. Their task is an arduous one, to craft wines that are measured not against those in North Carolina, but the best in the nation.

Elevated Wine Experience

One of the reasons that the high elevation is so important, is that it allows longer hang time for the red grapes. One of the failings of some North Carolina reds is that they are unable to stay on the vine long enough to develop rich flavors. The slope provides excellent drainage, and the mountaintop breeze chases the humidity which might cause early ripening or disease.

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Dynamis offers a compelling white wine, a 2020 Sauvignon Blanc that is fermented in a concrete egg. It has tastes of apricot and peach with a creamy texture. The body is somewhere between the crispness of stainless steel and the warmer tones of oak aging. In my mind, it’s a great place to be. SRP $35

There will always be at least one white on the tasting menu, but the focus is on complex red wines. The 2019 Merlot opens with a delicious flavor of jam accented with herbal notes. This is no weak-kneed Merlot, but a full-bodied wine. SRP $50

Complex Red Wines

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a bold wine, made using free-run juice. This is considered the very best juice that comes out of the grape press. Since no pressure is applied, you get the best expression of the wine and no harsh flavors that you get when the press presses harder and harder.

It ages for 22 months in new medium-char French oak barrels. The first impression is, “Wow.” The tannins are really beautiful and unexpected in a North Carolina Cabernet, which is one of the most difficult grapes to grow in the state. It has a touch of Petite Verdot (4%). It's elegant and powerful with vanilla and dark fruit. SRP $100

Dynamis will always have two red blends each year. The 2019 Alpha is a blend of Petite Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet. This wine leads with red fruit. It’s a panorama of Dynamis vineyard blocks and winemaking techniques. A silky mouthfeel rolls into wild cherry, red currant, and vanilla. SRP $95

The pinnacle of Dynamis Estate Wines is the 2019 Mountain. It is the very best of the vintage with specially selected blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot grapes. It’s fermented in a combination of stainless steel and oak. Aging is done in oak barrels of various sizes and toast levels. It’s powerful and focused on black fruit with blackberries and toffee flavors. Dynamis is defined as limitless power and the might of the mountain is certainly harnessed in this bottle. The commitment to excellence in every step has resulted in a complex bottle seldom seen in North Carolina. It has a rich, savory finish. SRP $125 ($150 for the gold label first edition).

Like the wines, the premise of Dynamis is audacious. It seeks to offer only the best of the best for wine aficionados in North Carolina and beyond.

The Tasting Lodge is open 11 to 5 Wednesday through Sunday. Tastings are by appointment only. A 60-minute tasting of current releases is $45 per person. A guided 90-minute tasting with a wine ambassador is $55.

Overmountain Vineyard: North Carolina Winery Visit

This family winery proves to be a perfect oasis during our road trip through the mountains.

Wine Oasis At Overmountain

Tryon, North Carolina, is called the “friendliest town in the South.” We didn’t visit the town of Tryon proper, but our latest winery stop had a Tryon address – and we came away impressed.

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We were on the road to Asheville for a concert and a stay in a cabin. Wineries weren’t on the agenda, but after about three hours on the road, I became parched. I became especially thirsty when I saw the sign for Overmountain Vineyard.

Overmountain Vineyard is located on a 70-acre farm in the Tyron Foothills of Polk County. The focus is on handcrafted French-style wines made from their 18 acres of vines. The tasting room opened in 2010.

It was a radiant day with blue skies the shade of which you can only find in North Carolina. We rumbled up the driveway past impressive landscaping and rows of vines. A bit of apprehension hit when I saw “by reservation only.” Yikes! We had no way of knowing that just from the highway sign. I knew from its reputation that we certainly wanted to visit Overmountain and we were graciously shown a table on their covered patio.

Wildfire Alert!

I decided on a tasting while the Green Dragon opted for a glass of chilled rosé. My first wine was the 2020 Chardonnay. This is a crisp, unoaked (our preference) wine. Floral notes paired nicely with citrus and apple.

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The 2020 Wildfire Rosé was next. Although billed as a Provence-style rosé, this is made with Cabernet Sauvignon and so is a bit heartier than the French wine. Fleshy flavors of strawberry and kiwi combine in total refreshment. The wine on the inside is matched with a very cool label of a horse (with wildfire in its eyes).

Next in the tasting flight was Sofia, a white Port-style wine. It is named for Sofia Lilly, who along with her father Frank, handles the winemaking duties. Just recently I tried my first white Port and wanted to see how this one stacked up. This is fortified estate Petit Manseng. I found the flavors to be delightfully light with the accent on tropical fruit.

The only red I tasted was the Patriot Red and it was my favorite wine. A 50-50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this dazzled us with succulent fruit and a smooth finish.

I will be chastised for this by my friend Arthur Barham (of Merlot2Muscadine), but I wasn’t looking forward to the last wine – a 2019 Muscadine. Mark, our very helpful tasting room server, quickly assured me that this was a dry Muscadine made from the Scuppernong variety. Well, he was right. The wine was light, dry, and cooling with a flavor that reminded me the the Labrusca wines made in Ohio and New York from Catawba and Niagara grapes.

May is North Carolina Wine Month, so this is the perfect opportunity to visit Overmountain Vineyard. You’ll be glad you did. PS – don’t forget the reservation!

Exploring The Wine, Food, And Wonders Of Hendersonville, North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina have an abundance of natural beauty, wine, and dining.

When our planned trip to visit family in Ohio got COVID-canceled, we had to do some quick juggling of plans. We had already arranged for a dog sitter, not an easy feat, so we decided we’d travel elsewhere. Our first thought was a trip to Washington, DC. However, with the uncertainty of whether museums and when museums would be opened, we charted a course for the western part of our home state. Here’s what we discovered…

High Mountain Wineries

We were able to visit four wineries in the Hendersonville-Flat Rock area. Most of our North Carolina wine adventures have been in Yadkin Valley or even closer to our Raleigh stomping grounds, so we really anticipated the opportunity to see when wineries in this scenic area. Point Lookout Vineyards, Marked Tree Vineyard, and Stone Ashe Vineyard are all in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, while Parker-Binns Vineyard & Winery is located in the Tryon Foothills. Each has a spectacular setting near the Eastern Continental Divide.

Parker-Binns Vineyard & Winery, 2275 Whiteside Road, Mill Spring, NC

We arrived at Parker-Binns on a chilly and wet afternoon, so we didn’t have the chance to fully enjoy the beautiful grounds and outdoor seating area at the winery. As we say, it’s always sunny in the tasting room and found great hospitality and super wine inside.

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Parker-Binns is a multi-generational winery founded in 2007. Their focus is growing traditional European grapes and they offer a wide selection of estate wines. They are also well known for The Burger Barn, their onsite kitchen. The burgers will have to wait until our next trip, but we got our share of liquid refreshment as we enjoyed their wine tasting ($15 pp).

I was impressed with the 2020 Reserve Chardonnay which has a deft touch of oak and sur lie aging. It has a creaminess thanks to malolactic fermentation with nice vanilla and coconut components. Petit Manseng is a white grape really gaining traction in North Carolina, and Parker-Binns offers a great one, with intense flavors of apple, tropical fruit, and brioche. We took home a bottle of 2019 Pea Ridge Red, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Point Lookout Vineyards, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, NC

This winery gets our vote for most dramatic setting for a North Carolina winery. Its slogan is 30-mile views and even longer memories. The vineyard and tasting room are on top of the southeast slope of Point Lookout Mountain. We find that grapes grown in mountain vineyards have an extra level of intensity and complexity, and that certainly is the case here.

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Point Lookout has a beautiful lodge-style tasting room and banquet facility, but honestly, the prize seating area is outside gazing at the panoramic view of the mountains. Point Lookout has expanded beyond wine to include World’s Edge Meadery. The cost of a tasting is $12 for five wines and one mead (or five meads and one wine).

The property has been in owner Mike Jackson’s family for three generations. He piloted the transition from apple growing to grapes, with vineyards planted in 2008. The tasting room opened in 2018. There’s a lot to like here, in particular, we were taken by the 2019 Riesling with pretty floral notes and the 2018 Bliss Cabernet Franc, which offers cranberry notes, smooth texture, and a long finish. This is a premier destination wedding venue.

Marked Tree Vineyard, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC

This upscale winery located on the Eastern Continental Divide with views of Mt. Pisgah and Mt. Tryon opened in 2020. The stylish tasting room has floor-to-ceiling windows and the winery features some prime sitting areas outside, furnished with Adirondack chairs and an assortment of tables. The view of the hills and the vineyard is relaxing and inspiring.

Marked Tree is a premium experience, so you should plan on making reservations for your tasting. Unfortunately, picnicking isn’t allowed and there is an upcharge for bringing in outside food. Offsetting that, there is a wide choice of really cool food trays including smoked salmon, hummus, and pimento cheese.

The wines are some of the best we’ve had in North Carolina. From our perch outside in our armchairs, we thoroughly enjoyed the tasting ($15) flight. Highlights include the peppery Lemberger and the rich and rocking 2018 Petit Verdot. On the white side, the Chardonel was crisp with a touch of honeysuckle. The sparkling Vidal Blanc added a festive flair to our gorgeous day tasting.

Stone Ashe Vineyard & Winery, 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC

Stone Ashe was our last winery stop of the day, the sun was dropping below the mountains, and the temperatures began to dip. We circled a heating tower on the patio and ordered a tasting flight ($15 for five or $18 for six). According to owner Craig Little, he and his wife Tina sought hillside vines in order to focus on Bordeaux grape varieties. The terrain is similar to the Graves region of Bordeaux.

The winery is brand new (opening in 2020) with a stylish tasting room and inspirational views. The Cab Franc Rose and Sauvignon Blanc are tasty, but where Stone Ashe truly over-delivers is on its elegant reds. The 2018 Petit Verdot is a good example of why this grape is taking center stage in North Carolina.

This is the first in-state winery I’ve seen where they have both Right-Bank and Left-Bank style Bordeaux blends. The 2019 Davenport is a Merlot-driven blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc. Our favorite was the 2019 Coppedge Hill, the Cabernet-led (Left Bank) blend with Petit Verdot. This is a deliciously dark wine with deep cherry and chocolate notes.

Hendersonville - Flat Rock Restaurants

I visited Hendersonville once before, for the USTA state tennis tournament. After our matches, we stopped in town for dinner. I was impressed by the beautiful downtown and the abundance of eateries and bars. That really gave me the spark to return and this time we had a chance to enjoy three highly recommended restaurants.

Never Blue, 119 S Main St, Hendersonville, NC

Never Blue is a crazy creative tapas restaurant on Main Street. After hunting for and finally finding some street parking, we enjoyed one of the best dining experiences we’ve had since COVID reared its head. We have mostly been dining outdoors, but in Never Blue, we felt comfortable in the high-ceilinged area off the main dining room. Plenty of elbow room and social distancing.

Our dishes were prepared to perfection: 1) Malbec-brown sugar roasted red beets, chardonnay-ginger pickled golden beets, goat cheese mousse, Marcona almonds, balsamic gastrique, 2) Hand-made, colossal 5 cheese ravioli, smoky chipotle asiago cream sauce, baby spinach served with garlic toast, and 3) Lamb Kofta: Zah'taar spiced, house-ground lamb patties, warm pita, baby greens, feta cheese, champagne pickled onions, house-made dill-mint garlic toum sauce, spiced curry mustard, and house-made lemon garlic hummus. Each sauce and each bite was a masterpiece. Our wines were Prosecco, Sauvignon/Semillon, and Petite Sirah.

Beautifully presented food with an intriguing wine list make this a new favorite for us.

Shine, 202 N Main Street, Hendersonville, NC

Shine is a creative American bistro right in downtown Hendersonville. The décor and friendliness of the staff really do shine, just perfect on the chilly night we stopped.

There's a warm laid-back ambiance and a cool bar scene. The service is outstanding and the food is beautifully crafted. I opted for the short ribs, but they were sold out. I recalibrated to a cup of chili and a savory, comforting French Dip sandwich. My wife got the delectable Mahi Mahi with some Pinot Gris. Shine also provides excellent craft cocktails and rooftop dining is available.

Honey & Salt, 2730 Greenville Highway, Flat Rock, NC

Honey & Salt is located in the Rainbow Row in Flat Rock, a grouping of restaurants and shops a short, scenic ride from Hendersonville. It serves up locally sourced and organically-grown farm-to-table breakfast and lunch dishes.

This restaurant has a small dining room and is popular with locals and tourists alike. There is locally-ground coffee and fresh-baked goods. We stopped for breakfast and loved the vibe and the vittles. The cheddar grits were amazing and the French toast and hash cake filling.

Outdoor Adventures

Cruising around Hendersonville and environs, you are swept up by the natural beauty all around. Two top picks are Chimney Rock State Park and the Park at Flat Rock.

Flat Rock Park, 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock, NC

This park was a delightful find as we did a windshield tour of the area. the 66-acre park has a flat, open green space and a 1.3 mile perimeter trail that you can walk or run. The park is wonderfully developed with a variety of trails, a picnic pavilion and two playgrounds. We really enjoyed “the Quiet Place,” a small shelter near the wetlands area, a great place to chill and reflect. There is also an open-air nature center with plenty of info on the animals, plants, and history of the area.

Chimney Rock State Park, 431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC

The tiny village of Chimney Rock, with its shops, cafes and even a winery tasting room, is the gateway to even more fun. Chimney Rock State Park is a paradise of spectacular views and incredible hiking trails. The main attraction is Chimney Rock, a 315-foot towering rock formation that is 535 million-years-old. From its peak you can see 75-mile views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

You can hike to the top or, as we did, you can take a state-of-the-art elevator inside the rock up 21 stories to Chimney Rock. The view from the windy rock is awe-inspiring. We climbed even higher, to the Opera Box overlook in order to snap an iconic photo of Chimney Rock with Lake Lure in the background. There are trails for all levels of fitness, so don’t hold back.

We hiked down the 200-plus stairs and then marched to Hickory Nut Falls, a 404-foot waterfall that was featured in the movie, “The Last of the Mohicans.” After our day of hiking and climbing, we truly had earned a few glasses of wine. Don’t miss this landmark!