NC Winery and Wine Events

One of the finest fun and knowledge-inducing events in North Carolina are the wine events. The state boasts itself as one of the greatest wine-producing region in the country, with vineyards spread throughout the counties. One popular vineyard can be found in Cleveland County, the Owl's Eye which is housed on 140 acres of land, owned by Frank Hannah. The business has been operating for more than thirty years now. This wine place located just 2.5 miles from the historic downtown Shelby court square with the South Mountains as backdrop, offers tours, free wine tasting and private events and parties such as wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. Owl's Eye has the following varietals: Merlot, Malbec, Sangiovese, Cabernet franc, Petit verdot, Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Viognier.

Located at Pikeville in Wayne County is the aptly named A Secret Garden Winery. What started out as a family hobby by Linda Wall Hall has transformed into a rewarding business when it opened to the public in the spring of 2002. The winery's main claim is that all their wines are purely organic and no chemicals have been added, just juice, water and sugar. Included in their wine list are the following: Mary Rose Red in dry and semi-dry varieties, Southern Breeze, Golden Harvest in semi-dry, Next in the list is the award-winning RagApple Lassie Vineyards in Boonville County. Some of its citations include First Place in the Best label Series category in the Pacific Rim International, Grand Champion in the 2003 Chardonnay and Finalist in the Best New Winery in the United States as prepared by the Wine Appreciation Guild.

Among their wine list includes Viognier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Zinfandel and Syrah. In addition, RagApple also serves as entertainment venues. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks, a family owned and operated winery. Aside from wines, they also include ciders and honey on their products. They are also proud to ay that their winery facilities are energy-efficient and delicate, utilizing gravity flow technique in the winemaking process, assuring a balanced elegant wine product. The winery also offers membership that will give wine lovers to receive discounts on wines and receive other goodies such as notes and recipes. They also exhibit events such as the Spring Open House that inaugurates the incoming wine festival period. Other events in the winery include First Anniversary Weekend Celebration, Summer Red, White & Blues Picnic, Cider Festival and Thanksgiving Weekend Open House.

Try and visit other winery and vineyards in the North Carolina area: Martin Vineyards in Knotts Island, Stony Mountain Vineyards in Albemarle, Windy Gap Vineyards in Ronda, Grove Winery in Greensboro, Buck Shoals Vineyards in Hamptonville and Hinnant Family Vineyard in Pine Level.