Press Release: NC MCF Awards

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 27, 2021

 

Flat Rock, North Carolina— JenNis Beverage Marketing organized the inaugural North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine Competition.

The competition announces twenty-seven medals, three people’s choice winners, and a Best in Show each in Mead, Cider, and Fruit Wine.

A panel of nine highly qualified judges evaluated the entries by blind tasting, six professional and three amateur judges.

The goal of the North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine Competition is to increase awareness of North Carolina’s commercially licensed producers of mead, cider, and fruit wines.

The event is sponsored by The North Carolina Wine and Grape Council, Custom Chauffeured Wine and Beer tour company @Van in Black, NC Beverage Attorneys group @Beer Law Center based in Raleigh, and local wine blog @WineryEscapades.Com.

Judging was held May 24th at the elegant mountain resort The Lodge At Flat Rock just off Interstate 26 in Flat Rock, North Carolina.

Best in Show Mead: Dark Horse – Moonjoy Meadery, Lenoir

Best in Show Cider:  Stayman – GoodRoad CiderWorks, Charlotte

Best in Show Fruit Wine: Blackberry – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

🏆🏆🏆

People’s Choice Mead: Autumn – Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Marion

People’s Choice Cider:  Area 61 – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

People’s Choice Fruit Wine: Blackberry – Parkers-Binn Vineyards, Mill Spring

🥇🥇🥇🥇

Gold Medal (4):

Dark Horse (Mead) – Moonjoy Meadery, Lenoir

Autumn (Mead) – Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Marion

Stayman (Cider) – GoodRoad CiderWorks, Charlotte

Blackberry (Fruit Wine) – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

🏅🏅🏅🏅

Silver Medal (11):

Black “Bear”-Y (Mead) – Wehrloom Honey and Meadery, Robbinsville and Asheville

Royal Blue (Mead) – Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Marion

Honeyed Chamomile (Mead) – Starrlight Mead, Pittsboro

Blueberry Meadjito (Mead) – Honeygirl Meadery, Durham

Barrel Aged Fig’s Oak (Mead) – Honeygirl Meadery, Durham

Almonde Amarena (Mead) – Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Marion

Highway 64 (Cider) – Chatham Cider Works, Pittsboro

Kick-Ass (Cider) – Parker-Binns Vineyard, Mill Spring

Strange Encounter (Cider) – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

Area 61 (Cider) – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

Blackberry (Fruit Wine) – Parker-Binns Vineyard, Mill Spring

🎗🎗🎗

Bronze Medal (12):

BeeWizer (Mead) – Wehrloom Honey and Meadery, Robbinsville and Asheville

Everybody Loves a Ginger (Mead) – Wehrloom Meadery, Robbinsville & Asheville

Avogadro’s (Mead) – GoodRoad CiderWorks, Charlotte

Stride (Mead) – GoodRoad CiderWorks, Charlotte

Bjornbaer (Mead) – Moonjoy Meadery, Lenoir

Blackberry (Mead) Off-Dry – Starrlight Mead, Pittsboro

Mead Semi-Sweet (Mead) – Moonjoy Meadery, Lenoir

Melissa’s Gold (Mead) – Keeper’s Cut Meadery, Marion

Blue Byway (Cider) – GoodRoad CiderWorks, Charlotte

Pink Dogwood Rosé (Cider) – Chatham Cider Works, Pittsboro

Project Blue (Cider) – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

Chocolate Strawberry (Fruit Wine) – Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir

Quote 1 from Dennis Turner

The NC Fine Wines Competition promotes the state’s vinifera and hybrid wines, The North Carolina Muscadine Association promotes the state’s muscadine wine producers. We wanted to create an event to promote and raise awareness of North Carolina commercially produced Meads, Ciders, and Fruit Wines.

Quote 2 from Jenni Turner

We are very pleased with the overall execution of the event, we loved the venue, and we are thrilled with the quality of judges for our inaugural MCF. We hope through our persistence and marketing efforts to generate greater overall participation in the years to come, especially in the Fruit Wine category.

 

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Press Inquiries Contact:

Dennis Turner

Mobile: 864-357-1435

E-Mail: wineryescapades@gmail.com

Local Vineyard and Winery Tidbits, Notes, and News!

We’ll keep this pinned toward the top of our page and do our best to keep it updated as we hear interesting industry tidbits.

E-mail tidbits to WineryEscapades@gmail.com or text Dennis @ 864-357-1435

Let’s get going!!!

A new Cidery is planned for Raleigh. Shady Grove Cidery plans to open in 2022 as a tenant in the East End Market development.

Russ Gardiner has told us Eagle Mountain Vineyards in Travelers Rest, SC has set a Grand Opening date of Sunday, June 20th!

Old Farm Winery at Hartland is opening Fall of 2021. Located in Aldie, Virginia, this is the sister location of The Winery at Bull Run.

Botanist and Barrel has plans to open a second tasting room in Asheville!

Firefly Cellars in Hamilton, Virginia has a Grand Opening on May 29, 2021.

Hinnant Family Vineyards is turning their event room into their new tasting room. The renovation and new construction will give them a larger tasting room with additional indoor seating and larger gift shop. Located in Pine Level, North Carolina, Hinnant Family Vineyards is the largest muscadine vineyard in North Carolina, sprawling over 100 acres.

Adagio Vineyards is planting 1500 new vines. Existing are 7 acres total including varietals Arandell, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Traminette and Chardonnay.

Marked Tree Vineyard is planting 2200 new vines of Cab Franc and Petit Verdot this Spring.

Marked Tree Vineyards is also expanding their tasting room in Flat Rock.

Bold Rock Hard Cider is opening a new tasting room downtown Asheville in 2021.

Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon is this Spring replanting the entire vineyards planting fifteen acres under vine consisting of 25,460 new vines. New plantings will consist of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Pinot Grigio. Mountain Brook will also terrace off the sloped grass hill below the patio and redesign parking.

MountainBrookVineyards has hired Renteria Vineyard Mgmt to fly out from Napa Valley CA to Tryon NC to put in 15 acres of new vineyards. Planting is underway.

Burntshirt Vineyards in Hendersonville has started pre-construction on their On-site restaurant. The Winery restaurant will be located between the tasting room and the Vintner’s Cottage.

City Scape Winery in Pelzer, SC is building a brand new impressive tasting room. The original vineyard home has been gifted to charity and the land has been graded awaiting soon to begin construction.

Judging for the inaugural North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine Competition is scheduled for May 24th of this year.

JOLO Winery and Vineyards has recently acquired Hutton Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley AVA. The 45 acre Hutton vineyard and winery will be rebranded as Rayson Vineyards and open to the public in 2022.

Duplin Winery has broken ground on a third tasting room location in Panama City Beach, Florida. The original location in Rosè Hill, NC and second location in Myrtle Beach, SC. Some rumors have a fourth location considered for the Gatlinburg area?

FYI…..E&J Gallo Winery of California is considering a $400 million investment for a distribution center in Fort Lawn, South Carolina.

Ok…Send us your tidbits! WineryEscapades@gmail.com

Cheers! 🍷🍷

North Carolina MCF Wine Competition!

It’s time for a HUGE announcement!

We are thrilled to formally announce our newest wine competition.

The first North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine Competition is scheduled for May 24th, 2021.

The inaugural North Carolina MCF Wine Competition will be held at The Lodge at Flat Rock.

The North Carolina MCF will seek to generate increased awareness of all North Carolina commercially licensed producers of Mead, Cider, and Fruit Wines!

Jenni and I have been working on this event for the last year are ready to share the news!

We are beyond thrilled to announce the North Carolina MCF is sponsored by the North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council.

Our Medal Design!

Stay tuned as we set out in the next few weeks to visit many North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine producers and promote this exciting event.

North Carolina commercially produced Meads, Cider, and Fruit Wines, will be judged be highly qualified panels of certified judges. Meads by certified mead judges and ciders by certified cider judges.

Members of the Press, commercially licensed Producers, potential Sponsors, and even potential judges may contact us via email at WineryEscapades@Gmail.com for additional details pertaining to the first ever North Carolina MCF!

Entry forms are assessable at WineryEscapades.Com Click Here ➡️ NCMCF

Pickup of entries by us or our associates available in Western North Carolina, Greater Charlotte area, and in the greater Raleigh vicinity. Contact Dennis at 864-357-1435 to coordinate pickup.

Press Release: 2020 Palmetto Wine Competition Awards Announcement

MEAD WITH WILD BLUEBERRY WINS PALMETTO WINE COMPETITION BEST IN SHOW.
PRESS RELEASE (1 pg. + attachment)
August 21, 2020

Boiling Springs, SC – The 3rd annual Palmetto Wine Competition was held August 18th at Carter’s Steak and Seafood restaurant located near Lake Bowman in Inman, South Carolina. The competition featured 68 entries of wine, mead, and cider produced from 11 different South Carolina wineries.

Awards announced include the following winners.

• Palmetto Grand Best in Show: Mead with Wild Blueberry – Bee Town Mead and Cider, Bluffton, SC

• Best Estate Wine and Best Muscadine: Magnolia – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

• Best Cider: The Mangy Heifer – Fat Ass Heifer Cidery, Campobello, SC

• Four Double Gold Medal Winners

• Ten Gold Medal Winners

• Six (Half Case) Palmetto Signature Wines – The six highest scoring entries produced entirely from South Carolina grown fruit.

• Twenty-one Silver Medal Winners

• Thirty-three Bronze Medal Winners

Organizers Dennis and Jenni Turner of WineryEscapades.Com stated, “with the Palmetto Wine Competition, we seek to promote awareness of the twenty plus commercially licensed wine, mead, and cider producers of South Carolina.”

Best in Show Sponsor for the 2020 Palmetto Wine Competition is Bristow Beverage Law of Charleston. Double Gold Medal sponsors are The VinoWine App, WineryEscapades.Com, and OurWineTonight.Com.

Thirty-one Bronze Medals

Sauvingnon Blanc – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Runway Lights – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Muller Two-Goats – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Raspberry Honey Wine – Island Winery, Hilton Head Island, SC

City Limits – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Pineapple Riesling – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Blueberry Session Mead – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Sauvignon Blanc – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Sea Island Red – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Carlos – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Peachy Keen – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Tiger’s Blood – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Lowline Dirty Heifer – Fat Ass Heifer Cidery, Campobello, SC

Dry White Muscadine – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Curiously White – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Pinot Grigio – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Tropical Escape – Carolina Vineyards Winery, Myrtle Beach, SC

Son of 7 – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

Baron Theodor – Wandering Bard Meadery, Greenville, SC

Sangria (Blueberry) – Carolina Vineyards Winery, Myrtle Beach, SC

Mead from Cotton Blossom – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

Naked Cat Spiced Apple Cider – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Naked Cat Raspberry Lime Cider – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Blackberry Banger – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Riesling – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Creamsicle Session Mead – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Peach Fruit Wine – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Sassy Black Baldie – Fat Ass Heifer Cidery, Campobello, SC

Pineapple in a Pear Tree – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Black Spanish – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Santa’s Reward – Carolina Vineyards Winery, Myrtle Beach, SC

 

Twenty-three Silver Medals

Red Cherry – Carolina Vineyards Winery, Myrtle Beach, SC

Peach on the Beach – Island Winery, Hilton Head Island, SC

Oaked Black Cherry – Wandering Bard Meadery, Greenville, SC

Delight – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Malbec – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Rise and Wine – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Raspberry Chocolate Port – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Hustle – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Blackberry Merlot – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Peris Mueller – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Mead with Coffee Bean – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

Chardonnay (unoaked) – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Green Apple Gewurztraminer – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Raspberry Giggles – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

The Barbarian – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Tupelo Mead – Wandering Bard Meadery, Greenville, SC

Rockin’ Robin Red – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Pinot Noir – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Cabernet Sauvignon – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Pomegranate Pinot Noir – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Lime in da Coconut – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Naked Cat Mixed Berry Hard Cider – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Peggy’s Chocolate Cherry Decadence – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

 

Palmetto Signature Half Case

Blueberry Fruit Wine – Island Winery, Hilton head Island, SC

The Mangy Heifer – Fat Ass Heifer Cidery, Campobello, SC

Magnolia – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

Dry White Muscadine – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Carlos – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Blueberry Session Mead – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

 

Ten Gold Medals

Montepulciano – Enoree River Winery, Newberry, SC

Viognier – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Blueberry Fruit Wine – Island Winery, Hilton Head Island, SC

Gewurztraminer – Old Rock Quarry Winery, Enoree, SC

Magnolia – Deep Water Vineyards, Wadmalaw Island, SC

The Mangy Heifer – Fat Ass Heifer Cidery, Campobello, SC

Honeysuckle Honey Wine – Boardwalk Winery, Myrtle Beach, SC

Old World Bochet – Wandering Bard Meadery, Greenville, SC

Runway Nights – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Raspberry White Zin – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

 

Four Double Gold Medals

Reserve Petite Sirah – City Scape Winery, Pelzer, SC

Cabernet Sauvignon – Elevation 966 Winery, Greenville, SC

Mead with Chocolate & Raspberry – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

Mead with Wild Blueberry – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

 

Palmetto Grand Best in Show

Mead with Wild Blueberry – Bee Town Mead & Cider, Bluffton, SC

Press Inquiries Contact:
Dennis and Jenni Turner
wineryescapades@gmail.com

Mobile: 864-357-1435

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A Few Things We Love About North Carolina Wineries.

It’s safe to say our hobby has turned into an obsession. What started as a way to spend time together, has turned into a way of life. Therefore, we celebrate 2018 North Carolina wine month with our 2nd annual post of a few things we love about #NCWine.

Still love that Burntshirt Vineyards in Hendersonville was the first winery we ever visited together. It was also where I proposed. Love sitting under their portico, enjoying the Meritage or the Sunset Sippin’.

Love that Cabo Winery stays open late and offers fun wines such as Hissy Fit (Strawberry) and the Bless Your Heart (Coconut) and Over Yonder (Chocolate Covered Cherry).

Love the million dollar views at Raffaldini and Piccione in Ronda, and Silver Fork in Morganton, and Parker-Binns in Tryon.

Parker-Binns

Raffadini

Love the incredible improved Mountain Brook Vineyards.

Love enjoying a glass by the fire pit at Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyards.

Love Henry the Peacock at Catawba Farms Winery.

Love the White Merlot on the back patio at Brandon Hills Vineyards .

Love brick oven pizza and live music on Sunday Funday at Parker Binns.

Love that overnight accomodations are available in a treehouse at Treehouse Vineyards.

Love that Biltmore Winery is the most visited winery in the country.

. Love sipping on wine slushies at Eagle Fork Vineyards. 

Love the Killer Bee spirits from the distillery at Windsor Run Cellars. 

Love the Four off Nine in the Tryon Foothills area – Parker Binns, OverMountain, Mountain Brook, and Russian Chapel Hills.

                       

Love the Bordeaux style at South Creek Vineyards.

Love JW’s style at JOLO Winery and Vineyards.

Love the bourbon barrel aged Cab Sauv at Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyards.

Love strolling through the vineyard to St. Anna’s Chapel at Russian Chapel Hills. 

Love the listening to the river while enjoying a glass on the porch at Roaring River Vineyards. 

Love the Outer Banks Ice Wine from Sanctuary Vineyards.

Love that the oldest vine in America, the Mother Vine on Mateo in the OBX is still producing grapes.

Love the beautiful grounds at Daveste’ Vineyards.

Love the 360 degree mountain views at Point Lookout Vineyards.

Love the “Love” Alchemy Herbal Mead from Addison Farms Vineyard.

Love that Duplin in Rose Hill is the largest Muscadine producer in the World!

Love that Hinnant is the largest Muscadine Vineyard in state.

Hinnant Vineyards sure has racked up many awards!

Love that even though we have visited almost 120 North Carolina wineries there remain nearly 80 more for us still to visit, and more opening each year.

Happy weekend wining! Get out this September and celebrate North Carolina Wine Month by visiting and enjoying the nearly 200 North Carolina Wineries!

Return to WineryEscapades.Com

South Carolina Winery Reference

As native South Carolinian’s, we set out here to provide a reference for each operating destination vineyard and winery in the state. Our research has uncovered 18 operating wineries and 2 cideries and 2 Meaderies.

Majority of South Carolina offers a challenge to grow the common European vinifera varieties, yet some offerings can be found. Many unique offerings of muscadine, native, French-American hybrids, and some excellent fruit wines, meads, and hard ciders are certainly produced.

We encourage as you travel into and through South Carolina, stop and enjoy some of the excellent wines and destination vineyards in the Palmetto state. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If you’re local, you will find your local winery a great place to spend a relaxing day with family and/or friends.

First we’ll take a look at the operating wineries with estate vineyards.

1. CityScape Winery – Pelzer (Greenville County)

A small rural boutique winery south of Greenville, operating since 2007 ish. The current owners bought the winery just five years ago. Growing Carlos, Noble, Spanish Black, and Blanc du Bois on site. Josh and Deb, owners and winemakers, also import grapes from other prominent wine regions. The wineries mascot, is the adorable Pinot the Pig. You can often find him tethered outside the tasting room sporting his super hero costume.

Location: 589 Dunklin Bridge Rd.

Recommendation: Müller Two-Goats (Müller-Thurgau)

2. Victoria Valley Vineyards – Cleveland

Mountain vineyard and winery styled after a French chateau, offering a bistro with enchanting views of the mountains overlooking their vineyards. Growing several varieties of vinifera wines, which can be enjoyed with lunch from their gorgeous open air terrace.

Location: 1360 S. Saluda Rd.

Recommendation: White Merlot

3. Enoree River Winery – Newberry

Open 11 years now and still going strong, this vineyard and winery sits just off Interstate 26 about 30 miles Northwest of Columbia. Growing Carlos and Noble, plus Herbemont and Lenoir on site, offers several handcrafted blends and fruit wines along with several seasonal wines available. The winery offers a spacious tasting room and a beautiful deck overlooking the vineyards, perfect for relaxing with a bottle of good wine.

Location: 1650 Dusty Rd.

Recommendation: Curiously White

4. Mercer House Estate Winery – Lexington

The Winery at Mercer House is a rural craft estate winery. Many muscadine and blends are offered, along with a few very unique wines. Try the very unique Blueberry Jalapeño wine.

Location: 397 Walter Rawl Rd.

Recommendation: Apple Pie

5. Deep Water Vineyard -Wadmalar Island

Charleston area’s only Vineyard and Winery, originally Irvin – House Vineyard. Nestled among the live oaks just outside of Charleston.

Location: 6775 Bears Bluff Rd.

Recommendation: Magnolia

6. Wellborn Winery – Travelers Rest

This Winery in the Woods is growing French-American Hybrid varietals and sourcing other fruit from local South Carolina Farms. A Small tasting room is complimented with a beautiful scenic outdoor patio and seating spread about the yard. A small AirBnB house overlooking the vineyards is available for overnight accommodations.

Location: 254 Mush Creek Road

Recommendation: Rustic Red

7. Hyman Vineyards – Florence

Not a destination winery, a working vineyard which doesn’t support a tasting room. Their wines are sold at local farmers markets.

Location: Pee Dee Farmers Market, Florence

Recommendation: Southern Sunrise

8. Lazy Bear Winery – Easley

International award winning small winery focusing on fruit and berry wines produced from estate grown and local farm sourced fruit. Lazy Bear is also producing several award winning meads.

Location: 644 Hester Store Rd.

Recommendation: Peach Berry Medley or Plum

9. Cartersville Country Winery – Timmonsville

Working Vineyard and Winery and wedding venue located just off the intersection of Interstate 26 and Interstate 95 near Florence. Growing muscadine with twenty acres under vine and also producing real fruit wines. Overnight accommodations and full camper hookups available. No joke, winemaker is named Carlos Noble.

Location: 571 Lamar Hwy.

10. Bowman Vineyards -Round O

Family owned Muscadine vineyard and winery since 2004. Open only each Saturday Bowman wines can also be purchased at their farm store in Augusta Hwy just outside of Walterboro.

Note: La Belle Amie Vineyard and Winery – Little River

Technically not a winery though a working vineyard, tasting room, and gift shop serving the Grand Strand area. The vineyard is popular among the millions of visitors each year to the Myrtle Beach and surrounding Grand Strand area.

Location: 1120 St. Joseph Rd.

Recommendation: Cabana Boy “Just Peachy”

The wineries listed below are operating without support of their own vineyard. Each is unique in it’s own way and provide a destination to relax and enjoy some good wine.

11. Cats Paw Winery – Rock Hill

Small craft winery nestled on farm land just Southeast of Charlotte.

Location: 1567 Fayrene Rd., Rock Hill

Recommendation: Strawberry Sensation

12. Old Rock Quarry Winery -Enoree

Small rural craft winery in Spartanburg county located just off Interstate 26. Offering a diverse selection of semi-dry and sweet fruit infused wines. Described to be reminiscent of visiting your neighbors, whom just happen to make good homemade wine.

Location: 629 Old Rock Quarry Rd., Enoree

Recommendation: Snap Apple Sassy

The following three are urban wineries in the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area. All three are in high tourist shopping venues.

13. Carolina Vineyards Winery – Myrtle Beach

Location: Barefoot Landing, N. Myrtle

Recommendation: Bare-Foot Blush

14. Boardwalk Winery – Myrtle Beach

Location: Broadway at the Beach

Recommendation: Wine Slushie

Coastal Carolina Winery operates tasting rooms in Myrtle Beach and Pawley’s Island, however the wine is produced in North Carolina.

One urban winery can be found on Hilton Head Island.

15. Island Winery – Hilton Head

Location: 12A Cardinal Rd.

Recommendation: Southern Passion

One urban winery can be found in Greenville.

16. Elevation 966 Winery

Urban winery about one mile from downtown near the downtown airport. Really nice outdoor patio for enjoying a nice weather day.

Location: 301 Airport Rd.

Recommendation: Delight

South Carolina‘s Newest Winery

17. South Bend Winery – Greenwood

Nestled on 6 acres of old farm land on the South side of Greenwood. The tasting is a remodeled old farm house. The winery has plenty of of outdoor space and a nice fire pit out back.

A few others of mention.

18. Silver Dew Winery is found on Dafuskie Island near Hilton Head. A very historic and significant winery in South Carolina history.

You may also find of interest…,

Duplin Winery operates a tasting room in North Myrtle Beach, however Duplin is a North Carolina based Vineyard and Winery.

Cideries.

Windy Hill Apple Orchard and Cidery in York is alway busy during the fall Apple harvest season.

Fat Ass Heifer Cidery operates in Campobello, opening each Saturday for tastings. You know you want the t-shirt!

Location: 10125 New Cut Road.

Ships Wheel Hard Cider operates tasting room in North Charleston. Ciders are currently produced in New York, though plans are for new ciders to be produced in this location.

Location: 1033 E. Montague Ave.

Meaderies.

Wandering Bard Meadery just recently opened a taproom in the Greenville’s Hampton Station .

Bee Town Mead and Cider is located in Bluffton near Hilton Head Island.

SOON TO OPEN

Eagle Mountain Vineyards  Vineyard and boutique winery in the foothills of the Upstate slated to open in Fall of 2020. 

As always, use the VinoWine app for details and directions.

Updated 11/08/2020

Masala – World’s Edge Meadery

Masala – World’s Edge Meadery.

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Mead infused with natural Chai Tea flavor.

Color of polished gold, very clear.

Prominent nose of chai tea with notes of wildflower honey, almonds, and vanilla.

Flavor notes of sweet honey, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, cumin, and vanilla.

Medium finish with notes of honey and baking spices.

Overall a mead of very good quality.

11% ABV

$20 per bottle.

Serve chilled.

Pair with soft cheeses or carrot cake.

Révant – Biltmore Estate

Révant

Biltmore Estate Winery

White wine blend.

Pale lemon in color.

Nose of white peach, honeysuckle, lemon, banana, lychee, and cream cheese.

Light bodied with medium-high acidity.

Labeled as off-dry but drinks more semi-sweet.

Flavor profile prominent of white peach, persimmon, banana, paw paw, lemon custard, and cream.

The finish is short but pleasant.

An easy-drinking crisp white wine perfect for hot summer evenings.

12.5% ABV.

$18 a bottle. Available Online or at the winery.

JenNis Beverage Marketing score of 88 points.

Biltmore Estate’s Révant series of labels are inspired by the most intriguing elements of George Vanderbilt’s magnificent estate.

“The label features an enhanced photograph of a detail from one of the hand-carved stone friezes on the facade of Biltmore House,” Biltmore Wines Marketing Manager Chris Price said, “while the name was drawn from the French word for dreams.”

Apple Pie Spiced Wine – Carolina Heritage

A perfect Fall wine! 

Spiced Apple Wine! 

Fermented of North Carolina grown apples with raisins, almonds, and spices added.

Vintage 2017. 

Medium yellow in color.

Smells like apple pie….

Nose is pronounced of spices, expressive of cinnamon and steeping of nutmeg.

Sweet with low-medium acidity and light bodied.

Pronounce flavor intensity showing green apple, nutmeg, and cinnamon, with a medium almond finish.

Indeed it smells and taste like a freshly baked hot out of the oven apple pie!

11% ABV

$18 a bottle.

Order Online Here!

This Apple Pie Wine has won silver at the Dixie Classic Fair and gold at the N.C. State Fair.

Carolina Heritage Vineyards is the first USDA certified organic vineyard in North Carolina.

Dry Rosé – Biltmore

Dry Rosé

The Winery at Biltmore Estate.

Vintage 2019

Medium pink-orange in color.

Medium bouquet of strawberries , cranberries, fresh sliced watermelon, honeysuckle, white peaches, and rose petals.

Mildly prominent legs, medium acidity, and nice mouthfeel for a rosé.

It’s dry on the tongue though does lend some slight residual sugar.

Medium flavor profile of strawberries, honeysuckle, red cherries, dried cranberries, watermelon jolly rancher, and orange blossom honey.

The finish presents notes of dried red fruit, just not as lingering as we’d prefer.

13.5% ABV.

$17 a bottle.

JenNis Beverage Marketing score of 86 points!

Chocolate Strawberry – Twisted Vine Winery

Chocolate Strawberry.

Twisted Vine Winery, Lenoir, North Carolina.

Real Strawberry Fruit Wine with natural chocolate flavor.

Beautiful color of light orange. it can be difficult to good good color from a real strawberry wine. This on has a very nice color!

Medium intensity nose with blended notes of strawberries and chocolate.

Sweet, a light body wine with light acidity and soft tannins.

On the tongue, sweet but not cloying. Strawberry notes up front, finishes with chocolate notes, lingering finish reminiscent of a tootsie roll.

A really solid fruit wine, flavors nicely balanced.

12% ABV

Perfect for dessert or just Sippin on the porch!

Bronze Medal winner in the 2021 North Carolina Mead-Cider-Fruit Wine Competition.

Sangiovese – Mountain Brook Vineyards

Sangiovese

North Carolina grown.

Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon, North Carolina.

Vintage 2019.

Decanted for 30 minutes.

Medium ruby in color.

Medium pronounced aromas of cranberries , dried cherries, cocoa, lilac, and black tea.

Medium high body with high acidity and high tannins.

Medium pronounced flavor notes of cherries, cranberries, red plums, dried figs, cedar, thyme, roasted peppers and smoke.

Medium finish of bell peppers, green olives, and pipe tobacco.

13.5% ABV

JenNis Beverage Marketing score of 88 points.

Put this one on your list visit. Just minutes from the Tryon International Equestrian Center.

In 2020 Mountain Brook uprooted the existing 18 year old vines and in 2021 have replanted 12 acres under vine.

Check their website ➡️ Mountain Brook Vineyards

Dry Riesling – Biltmore

Dry Riesling.

The Winery at Biltmore Estate.

Vintage 2020.

Limited Release.

Serve chilled.

Medium Lemon in color. Beautiful, just shimmers!

Medium-high intensity aromas of grapefruit, lemon tart, mango, peach, pear, cantaloupe, apricot, mint, and dried herbs.

Off-dry with medium-high acidity and medium-light body.

Complex flavor profile with notes of lemon, grapefruit, pear preserves, apricot, sliced peaches, apple pie, and baking spices.

Finish is lingering with the notes of spice and sliced peaches.

Overall quality is very good.

A nice crisp easy drinking Riesling. Great for summer nights on the porch.

JenNis Beverage Marketing score 89 points.

Apple Cranberry Cider – McRitchie CiderWorks

Tonight’s wine is the special release Apple Cranberry Hard Cider from McRitchie Ciderworks.

Artisan hard cider produced from North Carolina mountain grown apples blended with sweet-tart cranberries.

Beautiful reddish-pink in color.

7% ABV

Apple flavors shine with a cranberry finish. Well balanced with the slight tartness from the cranberry.

This is a very good quality cider.

Sean McRitchie is one of the more respected winemakers in North Carolina’s emerging Yadkin Valley AVA.

Served chilled as suggested. #NCWine #NCCider #YadkinValley

Cuvée Richeaume – Domaine Richeaume

Cuvée Richeaume from Domaine Richeaume in France.

Vintage 2016

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Red Provence wine.

Expressive nose of cedar, damp forest leaves, tobacco, black tea, black licorice, and earthy spices.

Blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah, 8% Merlot, 3% Carignan.

Richeaume Vineyard on the red flanks of Cézanne’s beloved Mt. Saints Victoire.

Dry on the palate.

Flavor notes of black currents, cloves, black cherries, plums, espresso, vanilla flavoring, coffee liqueur, and finishing bold with hints of leather, chewing tobacco, bitter herbs and earthy spices.

Decanting recommended.

14.5% ABV.

$30 a bottle.

Love Drunk Rosé

Our wine tonight is “Love Drunk”, a Rosè from Oregon’s Maison Noir Wines. This brand was established by Sommelier Andrè Hueston Mack. Check the link above to learn about this wine superstar.

Pinot Noir -Chardonnay blend.

Beautiful light pale salmon in color.

Nose of strawberry, watermelon, pink grapefruit., lemonade, and honey.

Off dry

Pronounced flavors of strawberry, raspberry, watermelon, grapefruit, and bubblegum.

A good crisp refreshing Rosé!

JenNis Beverage Marketing score of 88 points.