Fingers Are For Burning

“Give me books, good wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music played out of doors by somebody I do not know.”  ― John Keats

The Bold & The Beautiful – It’s all about North Carolina Wines!!

I recently had the pleasure of touring a few of North Carolina Wineries with an amazing bunch of my blogger friends. Thanks to NC Department of Agriculture for organizing the tour.

North Carolina’s wine industry has grown over the years and is now home for nearly 200 wineries and more than 525 vineyards amidst scenic landscapes from mountains to the coasts. A recent study shows that the NC wine industry continues to grow at a rate of 15% which has huge impact on economic growth of the state.

The micro climate here in NC enables us to grow Muscadine grapes which are native to this region as well as European Style grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Tempranillo, Merlot, Viognier.

North Carolina has four agriculture regions known as American Viticultural Areas – Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek, Haw River Valley & Upper Hiwassee Highlands. The Yadkin Valley holds the status of being the regions first viticulture area. The climate and elevations here allow a lot variety of grapes to thrive.

Did you know that North Carolina is also the house to world’s largest and oldest producer of Muscadine Wine – Duplin Winery. Duplin’s award winning wine Magnolia featured in Martha Stewart Living as a favorite summertime wine. Hatteras Red another wine from them paired well with southern BBQ. And Scuppernong the oldest wine in America, well interesting isn’t.

During our tour we visited 2 vineyards and got to taste some of the finest wines they produce. Got a lot of insight about them, how they function and how different they are from the wineries across country.

NC wineries produce a lot fine Muscadine Wines, European varieties to suit different palette.

And yes, September is the NC Wine month where you will find a lot of fun activities happening at the wineries all across the state. Check out NC Wines for activities happening at different places.

Don’t miss out on the fun and discover some of the finest wines which North Carolina has to offer.

Our first stop “Grove Winery & Vineyards”

Grove Winery located in Gibsonville, NC is federally recognized as part of Haw River Valley wine country. The microclimate and the mineral rich estate favors them to grow European variety like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tempranillo, Chardonnay and a lot more. They hand harvest the grapes which are further used to produce around 4200 cases of premium wines each year.

Yes, Grove Winery is one of the most awarded wineries and estate vineyards on East Coast.

They host parties, painting classes, wine & song concert and wine appreciation classes. So check on their calendar and visit them to experience some of the finest wines they have to offer.

Grove winery offers some really good European style wines. Since I like my wine on dry side so personal favorites are Traminette (Dry) & Viognier from their collection. Loved their Chardonnay too.

You must visit them.

Check them out here : Grove Winery

Then we visited “Gregory Vineyards”

It is the 106^th winery of North Carolina located in Angier, NC. This family run vineyard is very picturesque, ideal for hosting weddings, parties or for that matter any event.

Gregory Vineyards features lakefront Vineyards, a Winery, Distillery, Tasting Room, & Lane’s Seafood & Steak House.

Gregory Vineyard is known for their fine Muscadine Wines.

Lane’s Seafood & SteakhouseThe Muscadine grapes are native to North Carolina. The climate with all the humidity and heat make it suitable for the muscadines to thrive. These grapes have thick skin and used in making a variety of artisan wine, juices and jelly. The wine made with Muscadine grapes are also referred to as dessert wines as they are on a sweeter side.

Tasted a few of the finest wines they have to offer –

• Bald Eagle – Dry White Muscadine (pairs well with seafood, chicken, salad)
• Stella Mae – Semi Sweet Reserved White Muscadine (pairs with poultry, pasta in white sauce, grilled veggies)
• Sunset – Sweet White & Peach Blend Muscadine (pairs well with fruits like peaches, apple, banana, pear, vanilla desserts)
• Mary Elizabeth – Sweet White Muscadine (pairs with fruits peaches, apple, pear, bananas)
• Sly Fox – Dry Red Muscadine (pairs with beef, smoky cheese)
• Happy – Sweet Red Muscadine ( pairs with desserts, dark chocolate)
• Lee Love – Sweet Red Muscadine (pairs with desserts, dark chocolate)

They have good brandy wines as well.

Love the names of the wines here. How cool isn’t??

If you ask me my preference would be Bald Eagle, little on dry side the kind I like. If you love sweet wine you must check them out.

Later after nice lunch and the tasting session at the Lane’s Seafood & Steakhouse (the nice restaurant at the winery) Lane Gregory, the owner took us around the property and showed us the distillery. He also took us through the process of wine making. Got to know the difference between Brandy Wines and Moonshine, do you know the difference? Well the former is made with fruit and Moonshine is made with grains.

Check them out : Gregory Winery & Vineyards

 And finally to “The Wine Feed”

Our final destination for the day was The Wine Feed, not a winery but a paradise for wine lovers. The Wine Feed founded in 2011 by two friends Philip Zucchino (Owner & Director of Wine Programs) and Philip Rubin (owner & Director of Sales and Marketing). It is basically a wine club, wine bar or wine store whatever you prefer.

They have something for everyone from their huge collection. A place to just drop in with your buddies, get a bottle, order some snacks and enjoy over a nice conversation.

You can check them here :

A big thanks to Kate Kelly & Jack Nales for organizing such a fantastic tour and my fellow bloggers who could make it. Had such a fantastic time with everyone. Look forward many more such tours.

Until then,

Lotsa love

K