DreamScapes....

A TOAST TO NORTH CAROLINA WINES
Wine, dine, maybe even sleep at many scenic vineyards

From Canada to France to California and--yes--North Carolina, I love to travel to enjoy wine, food, and beautiful scenery. That’s why the tasty pairing of wineries, dining, scenic vineyards, and occasional accommodation at or near several Tar Heel State vineyards is so appealing.

Grape Vine Growth

The phenomenal growth of the North Carolina wine industry is worthy of a champagne toast. Ironically, before Prohibition in the United States, North Carolina was once the nation’s largest wine producer. Plus, many may not know that the oldest known cultivated grape vine in the world is actually located on Roanoke Island (near Manteo) on the Carolina coast!

Once again producing world-class wines, the state currently has more than 70 wineries--triple the number from 2001. That makes North Carolina the 10th largest producer of both grapes and wine in the United States, but that ranking is only part of the tasty story. Wineries throughout the state are winning major awards in worldwide competitions, putting North Carolina on the map with renowned wine-oriented destinations like Niagara, Napa, Sonoma, Willamette, Burgundy, Tuscany and more.

This growth has led to many tourist-friendly wineries and vineyards, where visitors are welcome for tastings, tours, shopping, and other enticements. “Wineries are springing up all across the state, and they are attracting restaurants, inns, and boutiques to set up shop nearby,” says Margot Knight Metzger, executive director of the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council. “Travelers can spend a day, a weekend, or even a week exploring our wine country, taking in the scenery and enjoying life’s finer things.”

Tastings and So Much More

Most of North Carolina’s wineries have some sort of formal or informal tasting room or area, where the winery’s various wines can be tasted (sometimes for a small fee). This experience can vary from a quick taste of a few wines to a more elaborate “education” on history and varietals (like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon). Tours of the winery and vineyards are also often available, as is shopping (from bottles of wine to all sort of wine-oriented items).

Childress Vineyards provides a perfect example of what to expect. Those who think NASCAR and world-class wine don’t pair well haven’t been to the Childress tasting room in the Yadkin Valley. Founded by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress in 2004, the winery and tasting room have quickly become a stand-alone destination in the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area.

The tasting room was recently ranked “Top 25” by Wine Enthusiast magazine. “Our tasting room and many others in the state offer premium quality wines that showcase the best of North America’s newest and notable grape growing regions,” says winemaker Mark Friszolowski.

I like the “Signature Tasting,” which reveals Friszolowski’s best work to date. The Reserve Syrah and the Signature Meritage are both sublime, as is the setting--a stone and stucco building with a terra cotta-style roof that houses the large tasting room, shop, and The Bistro restaurant--all reminiscent of Tuscany.

Bon Appetit

Winery dining is definitely a growing part of the North Carolina wine experience. Along with the flavorful regional fare at Childress, there are many other options to enjoy throughout the state. For instance, the Century Kitchen at Flint Hill Vineyards near Winston-Salem has received rave reviews from many, including me.

Like many wineries with restaurants, Flint Hill’s tasting room is a great place to start (I love their Chambourcin, a grape doing very well for vineyards in the state). After choosing a wine or wines for dinner (or waiting for pairing advice once you‘ve ordered), there are several dining room options in the historic main house and inside or outside the addition--where the open kitchen is also located.

Set in rolling vineyards near Elkin (south of Mount Airy), The Kitchen at Elkin Creek reveals another excellent wine, food, and scenery trio. The menu here includes creatively prepared salads and brick oven pizzas--both using many local organic ingredients. Their “Rossa” blend of Merlot, Cabernet, and Barbera works perfectly with most items on the menu for lunch, dinner, or brunch.

Other dining possibilities include: lunch or dinner overlooking the vineyards at the Harvest Grill Restaurant at Shelton Vineyards; alfresco dining at Arbor Grill, which is located next to the Biltmore Winery on the sprawling Biltmore Estate; The Bistro Restaurant at Duplin Winery (with casual dining and entertainment paired with the health benefits of muscadine grapes); the Country Squire Restaurant & Vintage Inn (located at the Country Squire Winery and featuring a 72-ounce steak that cries out for a big and bold red); the new Homeplace 1847 Restaurant at Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery; popular Wolf’s Lair Restaurant at Black Wolf Vineyards; and Scuppernongs, a Mount Airy restaurant, deli, and wine bar that’s connected with nearby Old North State Winery.

Spend the Night

Along with tasting rooms, restaurants, and shopping, it’s becoming more common to find accommodations options at or near North Carolina vineyards. This makes it easy to pursue a wine- and food-oriented vacation--and not have to worry about drinking and driving. There‘s also a new Yadkin River Wine Trail Trolley that runs between several Winston-Salem area wineries. Becoming known as the Napa of North Carolina, Winston-Salem is a great central base for winery exploration.

Accommodations possibilities at or near wineries include: a Hampton Inn (with a wine bar) just up the road from Shelton Vineyards; a new Holiday Inn Express overlooking the vineyards at Childress; Frog Holler Cabins just across the creek from Elkin Creek Vineyards; renovated log houses at Grassy Creek Winery; the Villa at Blueberry Villa at Banner Elk Winery in the mountainous “High Country”; Cabin in the Vines and Cabernet Cabin at Autumn Creek Vineyards; and the upscale Biltmore Inn on Biltmore Estate.

Travel Planner

For more information, log on visitncwine.com or call 877-3-NC-WINE. For Yadkin Valley specifically, www.yadkinwines.com is quite helpful including a downloadable map and guide.

General tourism information can be found online at visitnc.com or by calling 800-VISIT-NC. Those flying into or out of Charlotte or Raleigh-Durham will find wine bars in the terminals that feature North Carolina wines!