Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Stories from N.C. wine country

The summer is drawing to an end, the days are hot and the nights are cool. It's perfect weather to take a mini-vacation, and fall is the perfect time to visit the N.C. wine country. So we did. I expected to have a good time with my husband, and my sister and brother-in-law who came down from Pennsylvania to join us. Turned out I got more than I expected.

We broke the trip down into two day-trips, one in the Yadkin valley area, and one in the Albemarle area. We enjoyed the scenery, expecially when our travels took us to a cool mountain top overlooking a vineyard spilling down into the valley below. We enjoyed tasting (just sips!) of different wines and comparing one to another. I ended up with a  collection of glasses and a collection of something I hadn't looked for: stories.

People love to talk about their work--in many cases, their passion--and so after asking few questions we sat back and listened.

One woman told of almost losing the family farm before they switched from growing tobacco to growing grapes. Now three generations work there.

Another couple met in middle age, both divorcees, and honeymooned in France. They came back with a dream of having their own vineyard, and combined their second marriage with a second career.

Some traveled to France or Italy to learn their craft. Some apprenticed themselves to other vintners in the area. Some took classes at N.C. State University.

Some make their wines from tested formulas. Others treat wine making as an art and confess that trial and error is their best teacher.

In addition to people, we met a variety of freindly and courteous dog assistants, and in one case, llamas -- who weren't all that friendly.

I  came away with three bottles of wine that probably won't last out the month, and memories of some very special people that will last a lifetime.
 

9 comments:

  1. Been in SC 5 years now. Have yet to visit NC and its mini Napa Valley... I'll put it on my to-do list.

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    1. Carole, I think you would enjoy a trip. We also spent a day in Seagrove where there are about 130 potteries. Needless to say, we did not get to see all of them.
      Sandy

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  2. I've been to wine country here in NY, and also Napa Valley. Cy and I went every Fall to Dunkirk on Lake Erie, and always brought home baskets of grapes, I especially like the pale green Niagaras. His Aunt Mary lived in wine country, Naples, NY. She would always bring nus grapes from there. But I never learned to like the taste of wine. Glad you folks had a good time. Audrey

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  3. Stonefield up northwest of Greensboro has a CAT for a mascot! They make delicious Merlot Gato. Next year, go visit him to see how a cat manages things differently from how a dog manages.
    It's great now that NC wineries are growing more viniferas, getting some of the more complex varietals, and moving away from some of the very sweet wines that used to characterize wines in this region. Slurp! Slurp! Whether the glass is half full or half empty, it just means there's room for more wine!!

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    1. Oh, I am sure a cat "manages" while a dog "welcomes!"
      My sister was pleasantly surprised by the variety of wines, especially the cabernet sauvignon. She thought they would all be fruit wines.

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  4. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Amazing, being story tellers, how we love to listen and learn from the stories others have to tell.

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  5. You are so right. People are willing to share their stories--and some are amazing--if they know we are really listening.

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  6. The "Cab" from the Dennis winery was the best I've ever had!!! And I've had a lot-some very expensive and some not. Can we go to Greensboro next year to see the CAT? Nancy

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