Carolina Mist Winery

At my last winery stop, Raintree Cellars, I picked up a brochure for the Catawba ValleyWine Trail (www.catawbavalleywines.com).  This wine trail consists of 5 wineries located on a 30 mile stretch near interstate 40, between the foothills of the Blue Ridge and the South Mountains. As you could imagine, marketing for these small, often family owned wineries, is probably not in their budget.  Cleverly, these 5 winery owners teamed together to help each other promote their unique NC winemaking establishments.  Unknowingly, I had already conquered the first two stops (Waldensian Heritage & Raintree Cellars).  I found it natural to continue my journey along this trail to my third stop.

My husband and I decided to take a trip to Carolina Mist Winery on a rainy Saturday afternoon, the choice was either cleaning or visiting a winery so I chose the lesser of the two evils (ha ha).  Before we left home I did a little research online, I found a list of Carolina Mist’s wines and saw ones that I was hoping to try during my visit.  The Kiawah Sunset Red had me craving for a trip to the coast and the description of the Bohicket Dunes White, a chardonnay flavored with peach, had my mouth watering! 

I also found the street address (to GPS) on their website and double checked their hours by calling.  We made our way into the charming town of Lenoir but the address online was incorrect (not good).  So we walked into the Crow’s Nest Antique Store that shared the address listed on the winery’s website.  A couple inside told us they recently moved a block over and were helpful enough to guide us in the right direction. 

Everyone in the quaint downtown was most kind.  I happened to stop into Abigail’s Gifts, off Main Street, to make sure we were going in the correct direction.  The owner, Cynthia was precious.  She stepped out of her shop and pointed exactly where to go.  She even gave me pointers on visiting the local distillery and brewery, all located in the town center.  So, if you’re looking for directions, attraction advice, or a unique gift, while in downtown Lenoir, NC, stop in at Abigail’s Gifts.

With the help of Cynthia, we made it to 118 South West Main Street, the NEW location of CarolinaMist Winery, right beside a substance abuse counseling service (great placement, I was laughing all the way into the shop).  The outer appearance was nice, with the two bright red Adirondack chairs and white trimmed hexagon shaped window, but the inside was magnificent!  The walls were a sunny yellow and the décor was a mix of eclectic, trendy, and artistic.  When you first walk in there is an adorable seating area with couches and a seasonal window display.  Walking into the actual wine bar area, they had white lights lining the molding, stylish artwork on every wall, and a groovy jazz melody playing.  I was ready to dance!  And their wine gift section had something for everyone.

Justin, the barista, fit perfectly with the scheme and he met us as we approached the bar.  He was a real sweet guy with plenty of knowledge about wine and the history of Carolina Mist.  He told us, like many of the wineries I’ve visited; Edward & Carolyn Campbell started their venture by producing wine in their home for personal consumption.  In 2010, their wine making business was taken to a new level with the opening of Carolina Mist.  He continued by telling us that Edward makes all but 3 wines in the building off Main Street.  The Holly Hill, Kiawah Sunset Red, and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler are their driest reds and require aging in wooden barrels, which they don’t have on site.

After hearing a little about each of the wines we both decided to try a few of them.  We did a sampling of 6 of their sweet wines and 1 of their dry.  The dry was the Kiawah Sunset Red, a Cabernet Sauvignon.  It was earthy and bold without being grotesque.  I could really see me sipping this while watching a sunset on the porch of a Kiawah beach cottage this summer.

We continued our samplings with 5 sweet reds and 2 sweet whites.  All were scrumptious with their various blends of fruits but my favorite was the Bohicket Dunes, white chardonnay.  It was light, crisp, and had a slight sweetness of peach, absolutely delicious!  Of course, I had to purchase a bottle to take home with us.  But I would have liked to have bought them all.  It was a time consuming decision to choose just one. 

We left that day very satisfied and eager to come back.  Justin told us that the decorations are ever changing so we will definitely be back to see what they come up with for the holidays to come.  And unlike some wineries that carry the same selection continuously, Carolina Mist constantly changes their selections based on the best ingredients available and to offer the favorites that their patrons prefer.  That alone is a reason to become a frequent visitor.

Their wine pricing is very reasonable, the Kiawah Sunset Red was the most expensive I saw at $13.75 per bottle.  The winery is open Tuesday through Thursday 1-6pm, Friday & Saturday 1-8pm.  Tastings are offered at a nominal fee of $3 for 7 wines or try them all for $6.  Carolina Mist is pet-friendly so feel free to bring Fido too!  They offer shipping by request and you can find them at a handful of local festivals around the area. 

Visit Carolina Mist online at:  www.carolinamistwinery.com

If have you visited this or another winery here in NC and would like to share your story, or offer suggestions for my next trip, please email it to natasha3911@aol.com.

Raintree Cellars

So far so good, my winery a weekend pledge is going full force, 2 stops down and 100+ to go!  My next stop is just right up the road from Hickory, NC, off Hwy 70.

Tucked away in Eastern Burke County, is a little winery gem named Raintree Cellars.  It’s so small if you blink you might miss it.  The location, between a pawn shop and martial arts studio, in the small town of Hildebran and the outer appearance, of timeworn red brick, might make you second guess stopping in, but as you've probably heard before "don't judge a book by its cover".  And that’s just want I did.

I walk into the door and was immediately greeted by the owner, Ed Yoder.  He’s the type of guy you can get to know easily.  He tells great old-timer stories and doesn’t leave room for those awkward silences.  I guess he contains all the qualities you would desire in a wine tasting host. 

The inside of Raintree Cellars is open and crisp.  You have a 3 seated wine tasting bar and a few scattered 2 top tables.  The left portion of the area is dedicated to wine tasting and purchasing but there is also an area to the right where Ed displays his handcrafted wooden knickknacks.  Ed is a man of many trades.

Ed started his business due to the popularity of his homemade wine at his daughter’s wedding.  The “Fuzzy Blossom” is the wine he served then and is still his most popular wine now.  I was able to try a sample of it but unfortunately it was out of stock for bottle purchases.  It’s a scrumptious white wine with a peach aroma.  It’s has a light body with a slight sweetness.  I will definitely be back to nab a bottle of this liquid gold!   

Raintree Cellars offers over 20 different wines to choose from, so there is a little for everyone.  They have your sweet or dry, reds and whites with iconic names like “Golden Globe” (sweet white), “Torpedo Juice” (dry white), “Black Beauty” (sweet red), and “Lover’s Companion” (dry red).  They even have an offering of holiday wines, such as, “Sugar Plum” and “Kandy Kane”.  Can you say yum?

When visiting wineries I always purchase a bottle to take home to enjoy.  On this trip, I purchased the “Oldie Lodie”.  Ed told me it was his most “complex” wine and was costly to produce.  When I had the sampling at the bar the taste told a story of rich berries and cherries with an undertone of chocolate, nut, and spice.  The end has a distinctive pepper sensation.  I was quiet taken back and amazed by all the different flavors in just one little sip.  $20 is on the high side for my typical bottle of wine but there was something special about “Oldie Lodie” and I thought he was worth the investment.

All the wines offered by RaintreeCellars is made right there on the spot.  The location previously housed Ed’s father’s grocery store.  However, Raintree Cellars has only been located off Highway 70 for about 2 years.  Originally it was started in Ed’s home basement (cellar) off Raintree Street, in Burke County. 

I would have to say stopping in at RainTree Cellars was a real delight.  The inside is minimalist and there’s not much room for larger groups but that’s what makes it so exceptional.  Those close intimate conversations with Ed make you feel like he’s family.  And because the property has been owed by his family for decades, when you visit he will make you feel at home. 

Pricing per bottle starts at $10 (Fuzzy Blossom, sweet white) and goes up to $20 (Oldie Lodie, dry red).  The winery is open Wednesday through Saturday and offers free wine tastings.  The winery doesn’t offer shipping but they do attend about 10-12 NC festivals per year where you might be able to find Ed and his exotic wines.  Ed told me “alcohol is a trait of the Yoder Family” and it goes back centuries.  You can taste Ed’s passion and history with wine in each bottle he makes.

Visit Raintree Cellars online at:  www.raintreecellars.com

 If have you visited this or another winery here in NC and would like to share your story, or offer suggestions for my next trip, please email it to natasha3911@aol.com.

Waldesian Heritage Winery

Like most women, I like my wine.  I also like to travel to new places, take photographs, and meet new people.  I’ve combined all my passions and talents in a series of NC Wine-Down Weekend columns.  From my encounters with wineries in the past I’ve noticed each has their own unique charm and story.  Each week I’ll be visiting a different winery here in NC and give you a little insight on what each of these places have to offer.  The first spot on my journey was Waldensian Heritage Winery in Valdese, NC.

There we were, three women on a mission to try some new wine.  The event started off on the wrong foot because Waldesian Heritage Winery is not an easy place to find.  Even the winery’s directions online guide you to a town kiosk to locate for instructions instead of taking you straight to the building.  “Go left on Main Street until you reach the Town of Valdese parking lot adjacent to Wachovia Bank. A kiosk with local information and a town map is in the north-western corner of the parking lot.”  You can see why we were a little concerned.

When we thought we were lost that’s when we found it.  I flopped in my seat as we took a sharp turn down a suspicious looking road and I was shocked that we had arrived.  The outside of the winery literally looks like a countryside barn but without the red paint.  My mind went to a scene from “Deliverance” with the banjos playing.  Looking around my new surroundings I was able to see a view of a miniature vineyard which made me feel more at peace.  There was also a covered “Boccia” court (lawn bowling) with outdoor seating.  It was interesting to find such a rural area within minutes of the downtown area of Valdese, NC.

Thinking “we made it this far” we decided to take our intrepid troop indoors.  Unanticipated the inside had a calm and leisurely ambiance.  There are no windows so it felt like we stepped into the night.  The décor is the memoirs of past times.  The history of the Waldesian wine-making journey can be seen through the photos they’ve collected throughout the years.  There are a handful of barrel base tables with chairs scattered through the small sitting area, nothing fancy but practical.

  

The tasting counter is located exactly when you walk in.  Right away we were warmly greeted by a lady who faintly reminded me of my grandmother.  So I felt a little awkward getting our wine samples from her, since my granny really isn’t a boozer.  Needless to say my discomfort departed because we sampled them all (hey, we were on a mission) from the Villar Rouge Sweet (their sweetest wine) to the Heritage Burgundy Valdese (their driest wine). 

I found that the Burgundy Valdese, not to be confused with the Heritage Burgundy Valdese (two different wines), fit my taste buds the best (but I rarely find a wine I don’t enjoy).  I was also pleased to find out that it was also their biggest seller!  The Hertiage Burgundy Valdese had a slight bite at the end but because of the Burgundy Valdese’s residual sugar it left me with a delighted palate.  As with most burgundy wines it’s served at room temperature.

After a small chat with our familiar looking bartender we found out that this winery was constructed by Italian immigrant descendants in 1930.  Prohibition didn’t end until 1933 but they were only making small batches for “personal consumption”, is what we were told.  The original Waldensian settlers arrived in the small town of Valdese in 1893 after famine struck their homes in the Alps.

Today they use the same wine making skills they learned in their country over a hundred years ago.  So here in the small town of Valdese you’ll get authentic Italian wine!  The winery production, distribution, marketing, and tours are performed by volunteers only (absolutely no paid workers).  So maybe it was my nana who was serving us our tasty beverages.  Their series of wines are made from concord grapes that they bring in (that petite vineyard outside doesn’t supply enough for their production).  This is what gives each of their wines an attractive fruity aroma and taste. 

We each purchased a glass of the wine we enjoyed the most and found a seat to sit and survey our pastoral surroundings.  A group came through the door within minutes.  It appeared as though they just left work and were coming here to drink and hangout.  There were also a few “good ole boys” that came in to just buy a bottle of wine.  You know you’ve found a good place when it’s one of the local’s favs.

We stayed for a few hours, chatted a little with some of the bar patrons, and finished our delicious beverage.  We thanked the bartender again for the spirits and headed out the door for our short trip back home.  The bright sunshine was an alarm our eyes.  It took a few minutes to get readjusted and then we were on our way.

If you can get to Waldesian Heritage Winery make it soon!  They are planning to make renovations that will change it forever.  Don’t let the location fool you, here you’ll find a one-of-a-kind place with the history and all.  Inside that rustic barn you can have a relaxing good time and some yummy wine!  WaldesianHeritage Winery is open Thursday through Sunday 1-6pm (other times by appointment only). 

 

Visit Waldesian Heritage Winery online at:  www.waldensianheritagewines.com

If have you visited this or another winery here in NC and would like to share your story, or offer suggestions for my next trip, please email it to natasha3911@aol.com.