Located between 20 and 70 miles north of my home in North Carolina is the Yadkin (River) Valley. This area’s combination of rolling hills, plentiful sunshine and favorable soil has contributed to it gaining a wonderful reputation for growing quality grapes and producing award-winning wines. In the last decade 35 operating wineries and vineyards have made their home here.
It’s becoming tourist business for the local area and for us “locals” it can provide a fun day of wine tasting and beautiful scenery, requiring only a short drive.
Nice to have such a place so close. We have quite a few wineries in Northern Michigan near Traverse City that produce some really good wines. Since I was just in California, we also went through Napa Valley which was quite amazing. Grapes everywhere!
Mark, I would have thought it a short growing season as far north as Traverse, MI, but then I know little or nothing about growing grapes! :-) I can imagine how Napa Valley must be.
They make some really good ice wine. :-)
Can’t say i know much about wine or wineries but they do seem to be in the most beautiful places, such as you’ve captured here. We drive down to wine country here in NYS just to take in the scenery. Isn’t it great to be so close to such beautiful countryside?
Very cool Earl, I went to Prince Michele Vineyard last weekend! I took some similar photos. I’m not really big in wine and I prefer micro brews – but wine is a nice change of pace once in a blue moon. I’m sure you had a great time :)
Surprisingly, we have wineries here in our area and talk about short growing seasons. At least, they surprise me. Our winters can be quite long. But, the wineries do make for nice scenery and, in your case, just about right for a long summer-Sunday drive.
You certainly captured the sense of the subject with this series. Love that building.
That sounds like a fantastic way to spend a Sunday! I hope they make some cooling Prosecco as well, nothing beats that for a hot summers day. :)