I bet you didn’t know that North Carolina
- Was the largest producer of wine volume prior to the Prohibition.
- Houses the most visited winery in the United States.
- Is home to scuppernong, also known as muscadine grape. This grap is native to North Carolina and a few other southern states, but grows nowhere else except as an exotic grape.
- Has more than 100 wineries.
I’m not a wine connoisseur, but I do enjoy visiting new areas of the Carolinas and tasting different wines. Each year at the Christmas and Spring Shows several wineries come in to feature their wines and to educate Carolinians on the variety of wines:
- The Southern Spring Show in Charlotte usually is in town during February/March and features many different vendors from gardening to major home renovations.
- The Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte usually is in town prior to Thanksgiving in November and features many different vendors from painters to Christmas décor.
These shows are also a great place to begin planning a day trip to somewhere new. Each year, I try to venture out and try a new place.
Last year, I visited the most visited winery in the United States, The Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville, NC. Their wine selection features anything from a Brut to a Cabernet Sauvignon. While this area is very well known for the Biltmore House which was built by George Washington Vanderbilt II during 1889 and 1895 as 135K square foot “mountain retreat”, the area is also very well known for the changing of the leaves during the fall months as well as the Bele Chere Festival in the summer (a free outdoor street festival).
With the Biltmore Estate behind me, I’m looking forward to my next adventure, which includes a day trip to Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC (a featured winery at one of the shows a few years back in Charlotte). Childress Vineyards is owned by Richard Childress, former Nascar driver and current owner of Richard Childress Racing and is managed by winemaker, Mark Friszolowski. With Winston Salem not too far away, I may have delay my trip so I can check out the film festival going on between April 8th and 17th.
If you too are looking to get out and visit some of these wineries, be sure to check out Visit NC Wine – a perfect website to help you plan your trip.
Cheers!
By Regina Walter
I tatally agree with you and having visitied the wineries in your article would like to suggest you visit the Yadkin Valley Appellation which runs from Mocksville to the Va border and from Winston Salem to Wilkesboro. These may have the most mature winneries in NC and with several importing wine makers from the Napa Valley produce and excellent product. My favorite is the Shelton Vineyards in Dobson NC.Here is a link to the Yadkin website; http://www.yadkinvalleywineries.com/index.html
April 1st, 2011 at 10:44 am
Regina, My husband and I toured the Biltmore winery several years ago. It was the best winery tour we've ever been on. I recommend it highly. Carol
April 1st, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Walt, thank you for the suggestion! I'll have to add it to my list.
April 6th, 2011 at 9:28 am
Carol, when I was there last winter I did make a point to schedule a day at the spa as well! Definitely made the trip that much better!
April 6th, 2011 at 9:29 am
[...] During the summer, I love to take a trip for a day or weekend and explore the numerous vineyards that we have in the area. Even if you aren’t an avid wine lover, the vineyards themselves are located on some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen. Don’t believe me? Then check out a recent post from my friend, Regina Walter, who talks about the stunning Biltmore Estate. [...]
May 19th, 2011 at 9:21 am