What’s New in NC Wine for Fall 2009
Raleigh, N.C. – Sample a taste of what's going on in North Carolina's wine country. For the whole story, go to www.VisitNCWine.com or call 1-877-3NCWINE.
In a proclamation praising North Carolina as a state gaining national recognition as a significant producer of grapes and wine, Gov. Bev Perdue declared September 2009 as North Carolina Wine & Grape Appreciation Month.
Harvest is in full swing in N.C. Some vineyards have already finished. Others are still at it. Have you captured harvest for your viewers, listeners and readers? There’s still time. Contact Stephanie Lowder at slowder@lkmideas.com to get your story. IMAGES AND B-ROLL AVAILABLE.
The Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, N.C., is one of many new wineries now open across the state. The vineyard features a tasting room and a five-acre pasture for llama and miniature horses. (And yes, you can pet the llamas; they might even give you a kiss.) Varietals planted on the property include Chardonnay, Chardonnel, Traminette, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. www.divinellamavineyards.com
The Big Woods Restaurant at Sanders Ridge in Boonville opened in early September for dinner as well as for private special events. All of the dishes at The Big Woods are served with fresh ingredients (including the meats and seafood items), as well as vegetables and herbs from their own certified organic vegetable supplier, Sanders Ridge Farm. Sanders Ridge is located off I-77, about 45 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem. www.sandersridge.com/big_woods/big_woods.htm
Remember that nasty Easter freeze a few years back? The whites took a beating, but our new North Carolina reds from the 2007 harvest are our best yet. We’d like to recommend the 2007 Chambourcin from Flint Hill Vineyards and the 2007 Shiraz from RayLen Vineyards. Countless other excellent reds are being released from now through Spring of 2010. Let us know if we can send you a sample.
Bringing the RV to tour our wine country? Print out the downloadable PDF of RV-friendly wineries and nearby campgrounds before you go at www.VisitNCWine.com
Want to see our industry tastemakers up close and personal? Visit the oral histories captured by the Southern Foodways Alliance in their “Wine in the South” special feature at www.southernfoodways.com/documentary/oh/wine_in_the_south/index.shtml Biltmore Estate, Duplin Winery, Garden Gate Vineyards, Hinnant Family Vineyards, RagApple Lassie Vineyards and Westbend Vineyards are all featured.
Also, join us on facebook and Twitter for the latest North Carolina news and events.
Fall Events
Fall Harvest Festival & Grape Stomp, Wagram
Sept. 12, 2009
Cypress Bend’s Fall Harvest Festival features the Jim Morgan Jazz Group, vendors, wine tasting, and, of course, the ever popular Grape Stomp. www.cypressbendvineyards.com
Music in the Vineyards Series, Lexington
Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October
Childress Vineyards will feature free performances on the lawn beneath the terrace. Come out to the winery, relax with the music and enjoy lunch and award-winning wines. www.childressvineyards.com
35th Annual Grape Stomp, Rose Hill
Sept. 19, 2009
At the country’s largest muscadine winery, enjoy wine tasting, follow the grapes from picking to corking, savor lunch in the vineyard, and experience the thrill of victory and the purpling of "De Feet" during the Grape Stomp. Call 1-800-774-9634 for reservations. www.duplinwinery.com
Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Music Festival, Charlotte
Oct. 3, 2009
Bring your friends and family and picnic blankets to Symphony Park and listen to some of your favorite tunes while tasting hundreds of your favorite wines from North Carolina. Enjoy great food, stroll the exhibits, or take in one of the wine and food seminars. www.uncorkthefun.com
Vineyards of Swan Creek Harvest Festival
Oct. 10 – 11, 2009
Join the Vineyards of Swan Creek as they celebrate harvest and another great vintage. Tour all five of the Vineyards of Swan Creek and enjoy two days of wonderful, award-winning wines, great music and entertainment, complimentary seasonal refreshments and great gift ideas while overlooking the beautiful and scenic Swan Creek AVA. www.swancreekvineyards.com
The Harvest Festival at Shelton Vineyards
Oct. 10 – 11, 2009
Join in the fun at the fourth annual Harvest Festival at Shelton Vineyards. Enjoy live bluegrass music, grape stomping, face painting, pumpkin painting (for the children or the young at heart), hay rides, an antique tractor competition and more. Also, hand-crafted items made by local artisans are available for purchase as are locally grown pumpkins and produce. www.sheltonvineyards.com
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
Oct. 17, 2009
Taste the wine of Yadkin Valley wineries and enjoy crafts, food and entertainment and a grape stomp for kids at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. http://yvgf.com/
NC Wines: Tasting Is Believing
North Carolina ranks 10th for wine and grape production in the United States and is home to almost 90 wineries; the number has more than tripled since 2001. The industry is diverse, featuring both European vinifera wines as well as native muscadine wines which are known for health benefits and high levels of resveratrol.
For additional North Carolina wine events and to learn more about our wineries, go to www.VisitNCWine.com. Visit our NC wine media kit at www.media.visitnc.com, join us on facebook and Twitter @VisitNCWine.
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Contact
Susan Dosier
(704) 953-9408
sdosier@visitnc.com
Margo Metzger
(919) 715-9463
mmetzger@nccommerce.com
Stephanie Lowder
(828) 697-0998
slowder@lkmideas.com
