4 minute read
Wineries & Breweries
An invitation to visit the High Country’s finest wineries Local Wineries
Introducing The High Country Wine Trail
Advertisement
On November 28, 2016, the Appalachian High Country was recognized as an American Viticulture Area (AVA) by the Department of the Treasury and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. This designation establishes the 2,400 square mile area above 2,000-foot elevation, across three states and eight counties as a unique viticulture area of the United States. An AVA is a designated wine-growing region that has distinct topography, climate and soil types. Most wine lovers are familiar with one of North Carolina’s other AVAs, the Yadkin Valley, and nearly all consumers are familiar with California’s Napa Valley. The High Country Wine Tour takes you to four of these wineries, about 30-40 minutes from each other. The four wineries include Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe, NC; Linville Falls Winery in Linville Falls, NC, and their Tennessee cousins, Watauga Lake Winery and Villa Nove Vineyards Farm Winery in Butler, TN. Each winery is known for their distinctive wines produced from the grapes grown in the Appalachian High Country American Viticulture Area.
Before you begin, check the individual wineries website for a complete listing of contact information and hours of operation. Each winery may also be hosting special events that you will not want to miss!
Read About the Wineries Here
GRANDFATHER VINEYARDS
FOSCOE. Grandfather Vineyard was founded in 2003 when Steve and Sally Tatum, in search of a hobby, planted a small block of wine grapes for some home winemaking. After a few years they realized the High Country of North Carolina had a similar climate as many of the famous grape growing regions around the world. In 2005 Steve and Sally tripled the size of the vineyard. Steve’s hobby then became more than just a hobby. After years of hard work, they opened their doors in May of 2011. Grandfather Vineyard is a terraced mountain-side vineyard located at the base of Grandfather Mountain right on the Watauga River. At the bottom of the vineyard is the tasting room and winery. They’re open Monday thru Saturday Noon to 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Live Music Thursday thru Sunday and Food Truck on site Friday thru Sunday n
828-963-2400. www.grandfathervineyard.com. See ad on page 55
LINVILLE FALLS WINERY
NEWLAND. Family owned and operated, Linville Falls Winery is the culmination of a life-long passion for wine by owner, Jack Wiseman. Nestled in the lower end of Avery County near the Blue Ridge Parkway is a state of the art tasting room on a 40 acre farm with its staple grapes Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, blueberries and raspberries. The winery is perfectly situated at
www.HighCountryWineTrail.com Also on Facebook and Instagram
54 VISITOR’S GUIDE SUMMER 2021
“Elevate Your Taste” and enjoy Wine Country in the High Country
Visit our Website: linvillefallswinery.com
to see our schedule of Events, Live Music, & Food Trucks!
9557 Linville Falls Hwy Linville Falls, NC 28647
(828)765-1400 Milepost #317 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
of the High Country
3200 feet with warm days, cool nights and minerally balanced soil. This magical combination of high elevation and microclimate terra produces a wine unique to the region with complex flavors creating award winning wines. Visit our Tuscan-inspired winery where you can taste our delicious High Country wines. We offer table service as our primary way of serving wine to our winery guests. Seating is first come first serve. On busy days in the summer we have our “Red Barn Lawn Bar” open where you can order by the glass or bottle. We’re open for tastings 7 days a week from 12 am – 6 pm. The winery features live music and a food truck on site Fridays thru Sundays n 828.765.1400. linvillefallswin-
ery.com. See ad on this page
WATAUGA LAKE WINERY & VILLA NOVE VINEYARDS
BUTLER, TN. Nestled in the Appalachian High Country, “Villa Nove Vineyards” is located just across the border in Butler, Tenn. The original owners, Wayne and Linda Gay purchased 35 acres overlooking the Watauga Lake and began construction of “Villa Nove,” an Italian inspired farmhouse, in 2002. Three years later, they planted the first grapes. Today, the winery has over 4,000 wine grape vines on the property and transformed the historic Johnson County Big Dry Run Schoolhouse into the Watauga Lake Winery. The five-room schoolhouse features a beautiful tasting room, an event center, and a full caterer’s kitchen for food-and-wine pairings, gourmet dinners and “hands-on” cooking events. The gym houses the entire wine production area and tours are available. Today the property is owned by the Waterfront Group. Visit us and enjoy “A Taste of Tuscany in Tennessee.”n
