ASPIRE · 2022 · VOLUME 4

LUXURY LIVING IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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INTRODUCTION ASPIRE

— Neal Hanks Jr., President

It is turning out to be another dynamic year for real estate in Western North Carolina. Our luxury market continues to show outstanding growth and stability, and its good health reflects the desire of so many to live in our magnificent mountain home.

Looking at the big picture, the market has cooled somewhat and is not quite so scorchingly hot. We welcome this trend. And, so do buyers. In fact, we’re encouraged to see more market equilibrium come into play. Sellers will be encouraged to note that demand continues to outweigh supply and pricing remains strong, especially in our luxury market. Homes priced appropriately sell quickly and for more. Across this issue, we aim to illuminate how life in the Blue Ridge offers exceptional and enduring value sustained by distinctive cultural resources, natural beauty in 360 degrees, and endless opportunity for inspiration.

Stellar market performance underscores a procession of good news as Beverly-Hanks enters a game-changing partnership with Allen Tate Realtors®, with whom we share the same standards of excellence. Leading the Carolinas as the #1 real estate firm, Allen Tate is a strategic partner of Howard Hanna Real Estate—the #1 privately owned real estate company in the country—covering Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

This expansive partnership raises the bar exponentially in the ability of Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS® to deliver our clients outstanding service, world-class marketing and expertise, and hands-on care. Our affiliates will benefit from even greater listing visibility in key feeder markets and across our newly expanded network. In today’s uncertain world, we are pleased to grow stronger and more innovative as a steadfast resource for you. Stay tuned as we share more about the suite of services now available.

In the midst of all of this opportunity and growth, we are proud to share our annual luxury magazine that now offers a more expanded offering of our finest properties. A luxury home isn’t only defined by price and beautifully appointed detail, but by its location. With so many exceptional communities and lifestyles from which to choose, we are pleased to showcase some of our best luxury offerings with you.

Real estate is a local business. Our community roots are deeper and broader than ever. If you’re looking to evolve your real estate portfolio, now is an excellent time. Let us be your trusted advisors.

Warm regards, W. Neal Hanks Jr. President of Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS®

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“Life in the Blue Ridge offers exceptional and enduring value sustained by distinctive cultural resources, natural beauty in 360 degrees, and endless opportunity for inspiration.”

Luxury Market Trends 10

The Tocqueville Society 14

Frederick Law Olmsted: ‘Parks for All People’ 18

Asheville Artist Larry Paul King 26

Chai Pani Wins James Beard Award 38

Putting Down Roots: The Appeal of “Agrihoods” 50

Mountain Vineyards 70

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Garret K. Woodward

LUXURY AGENT GALL E

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Donna Banks North Asheville (828) 284-0509 donnabanks@be v y v Chris Battista

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Champion Hills (828) 693-0072 championhills@ b y v u p@be ve erly-hanks.com heather Heather Chambers Hendersonville (828) 699-5914

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Nichole Davis Biltmore Park (941) 518-2175 Kelly

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Hendersonville (828) 471-4045 ste ve e doziergro

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Elizabeth Byrd Etheridge Biltmore Park (828) 712-4356 ebetheridge@

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Biltmore Park (850) 509-0488 khethering

Ben & Amanda Hill Waynesville (828) 606-6587 benandam

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Luxury Market Trends

Stronger than ever is a bold statement. It is also the good-news storyline emerging from the latest luxury real estate data in Western North Carolina (WNC). Despite rising interest rates and decreased intensity across the broader marketplace, upper-bracket property sales in the Blue Ridge remain strong in what is a stable and thriving landscape.

A healthy market is one with steady growth over time versus spikes and sporadic surges. Overall, the WNC market follows a steady trendline, offering outstanding investment stability for investors and homeowners alike.

From a low of 200 available listings in the first quarter, investors and buyers will welcome the news of a notable uptick in inventory. More properties mean more choices for buyers and less pressure on pricing and timing. However, in most WNC markets, all signs point to a luxury marketplace that favors sellers continuing into 2023.

Two promising indicators to keep an eye on in this landscape are volume

and price point. In 2019, there were just two closed sales above the $3 million mark. At the time of this editorial (fall 2022), there are 16 closings at or above that level, driven by appreciation and continued interest in this scenic corner of the Blue Ridge.

Once considered a modest regional luxury market, Western North Carolina is off and running as buyers and investors from all over the country are drawn to our captivating mountains and vibrant culture. To capitalize on the expanding market potential, Beverly-Hanks’ has teamed up with Allen Tate Realtors®, the number one real estate company in the Carolinas. Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS® offers clients access to an elite network of prospects through our affiliation with Howard Hanna and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®.

For fresh insights on the Western North Carolina real estate market, visit Beverly-Hanks.com/Market-Research-Center.

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The Tocqueville Society A catalyst for positive change

The Tocqueville Society is a vital branch of the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, aimed at not only bringing the community together but also ensuring that family, friends, and neighbors are cared for.

“United Way has made a big impact on our whole region in various ways,” said Amy Hanks, who is co-chair of the Tocqueville Society and president of Beverly-Hanks Mortgage Services. “At its foundation are a lot of like-minded people who want to put back into our community. It’s about helping people move forward.”

The core of United Way’s mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. In terms of the Tocqueville Society, that means bringing together people from all walks of life, backgrounds, and skill sets and combining forces to bring about the growth needed to sustain and perpetuate the culture of a place and its people.

For Amy, getting involved in the Tocqueville Society with her husband, Neal, who is the president of Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, was a way to put their life experiences, skills, and connections to work in a charitable context, amplified by a network of community and business alliances that feed into what is a dynamic support system for the nonprofit.

“We quickly realized that the Tocqueville Society was a group of individuals and couples throughout our community who were not only giving financially, they were also giving their time and expertise in ways that could help United Way better serve its mission,” Amy said.

Formed in 1990, the Tocqueville Society in Asheville and greater Buncombe County is composed of individuals who donate $10,000 or more each calendar year. Nearly 23 years since its inception, the organization has garnered more than $21 million in donations directed toward issues in the community of utmost importance.

“It’s important for us to give back,” Amy said. “We have employees, clients, and friends who can all benefit from the services we’re able to support through monetary donations directly put back into our community.”

Kevin Montgomery, Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, says the Tocqueville Society “makes up roughly 20% of our annual fundraising efforts through 87 households. [Tocqueville raised] over $1.6 million in 2021, a 33% increase over the previous year.”

“Tocqueville Society members are a network of like-minded philanthropic leaders that help to sustain our work and strengthen our community,” Montgomery said. “They play a vital role in every United Way community across the globe by engaging in the work and giving of their personal treasures at a high level.”

The Asheville and Buncombe County chapter is shifting its focus by putting a spotlight on the issue of education. The organization’s goal is to make certain each child in its backyard is given a quality education.

“Specifically, for the next 13 years, we’re hyper-focused on achieving the bold community goal that all Asheville and Buncombe County students graduate from high school ready to pursue their dreams and goals,” says Montgomery.

For Amy and Neal Hanks, and the Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks family of agents, it’s about actions speaking louder than words. The two believe leaning into our community as an active participant goes a long, long way, as opposed to sitting on the sidelines.

“You have to focus on those little steps of helping people, which leads to bigger things happening overall. If there’s a need you can serve, you can make a difference,” Amy said. “We encourage everyone to come to one of our events and to see for yourself how you can get involved, and how much need there is for your help and expertise in the community.”

If you’re interested in joining or learning more about the Tocqueville Society, contact Kevin Montgomery at kevin.montgomery@unitedwayabc.org, or scan the QR code to donate.

Tocqueville Society fundraising event at Little Jumbo.

Amy and Neal Hanks supporting United Way's Tocqueville Society.

Frederick Law Olmsted ‘Parks for All People’

In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of iconic American landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), the Biltmore Estate in Asheville has been actively participating in a yearlong celebration. Around the nation, 120 entities are coming together as part of the programming known as “Olmsted 200: Parks for All People.”

Transitions between formal and natural gardens were important to Fredrick Law Olmsted, designer of the landscaping at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. THE BILTMORE COMPANY PHOTOS

“His work was about advancing the democratic experiment. He realized that there should be places in which all people could go regardless of their background.”

“[Olmsted] understood that public spaces could bring people together,” said Anne Neal Petri, president and CEO of the National Association for Olmsted Parks. “His work was about advancing the democratic experiment. He realized that there should be places in which all people could go regardless of their background. It underscores one of the most revolutionary concepts that we’ve ever known, and can be thankful for — parks belong to all of us.”

Known as the father of landscape architecture, Olmsted was a true visionary. His key achievements were Central Park (New York City), U.S. Capitol Grounds (Washington D.C.), Prospect Park (Brooklyn), Mount Royal Park (Montreal), Niagara Reservation (Niagara Falls), Emerald Necklace (Boston), Grand Necklace of Parks (Milwaukee), World Columbian Exposition (Chicago), and Highland Park (Rochester). But his vision extended to numerous other projects, as well.

“He was living at a very crucial time in American history, amid the pre/post-Civil War, and at a time of vast industrialization,” Petri said. “[Back then], we were really moving from a rural country to an industrial and urban one. Unlike most people of his day, and even those of us today, he understood that contact with nature was essential, that it builds our physical/mental health and wellbeing.”

Olmsted had the universal foresight and creative mind to see not only the beauty, but the necessity of public parks in large, sprawling cities throughout the United States and beyond. But he also had the passion and persistence to open the eyes of government officials and the general public as to what he felt was of the utmost importance.

“It was an interesting combination of very creative individuals who were connecting with very ambitious civic leaders, both seeing the need for these public spaces. Their work is why today we’re still able to benefit from that collaboration,” Petri said.

Aside from the grandeur of these public parks across the country, private citizens would also commission Olmsted to work for their properties. One such citizen was George Washington Vanderbilt, whose vast Biltmore Estate has been open to the public for many years.

With the mansion constructed from 1889 to 1895, the 125,000acre Biltmore Estate property was handed over to Olmsted. The master felt the landscape could not only be an opportunity for a park to surround the house, but also a chance to incorporate new techniques for forest management and commercial timbering.

Olmsted suggested Vanderbilt hire Carl A. Schenck and Gifford Pinchot to manage the massive forested section of the estate. With the duo brought on to oversee the project, Schenck launched the first forestry education program in America in 1898. Dubbed the Biltmore Forest School, the organization became the seedling of what we know today as "forest management" — techniques still valued and implemented in our modern world.

“Even though Vanderbilt was a private individual, he viewed the [Olmsted project] as an opportunity to think big, and to think about scientific forestry,” Petri said. “It was a way to think about the estate as something more than just simply a pleasure ground, but also as a place that can help advance farming and forestry [techniques]. Vanderbilt wanted to explore new ideas, and he had the resources to do so.”

Now, in the midst of the 200th anniversary celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted, it’s hard to imagine what the physical, emotional, political, and cultural landscape of this country would look like without his presence in the national dialogue and forward movement of our society those many years ago.

“Olmsted was a creative genius,” Petri said. “And the principles that guided his work have had a lasting importance to all of us now, and into the future. It’s about sustaining these beautiful places that sustain all of us.”

Larry Paul King’s conceptual art has been described as “very sophisticated and very powerful.” His work was recently on exhibit at the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center in downtown Asheville.

Larry Paul King

A long and winding road

At 86 years old, artist Larry Paul King has never lost that childlike wonder of discovery, curiosity, and creation.

“I’ve always been creative,” King modestly says. “And the thing most people don’t realize is that everybody’s an artist. They don’t realize it unless they just attack an idea [within the creative process].”

Though King has called Asheville home since 2000, he’s originally from Chicago. His former urban environment constantly sparked his imagination — something that has definitely played out in the industrial nature of his intricate and thought-provoking sculptures and mixed-media pieces.

“When I was a kid coming up in the projects in Chicago, we had two playgrounds: one in the projects and one that was a junkyard across the street,” King says. “And the junkyard was just the place we loved to go. You would see all these shapes and forms. Junk piled up, broken bottles, and the moon shining over — it was a beautiful place.”

As a kid, King would often find himself at his father ’s body shop, where the youngster developed a skill set for repairing and restoring automobiles.

“I was eight or nine years old doing body and fender work, things like that,” King says. “And I was pretty good with using tools and doing stuff with my hands. It’s something I’ve been doing all my life.”

After high school, King pursued his passion for art and sculpture in college. At least, that was the plan at the time. But, a young family soon appeared in his life, so King shifted away from his creative urges and got a job with the United States Postal Service, a gig he held for 32 years.

Through his position as a clerk for the railroad arm of the postal service, King traveled to numerous cities across America. In whatever city he’d land in, King would wander into the local art museums and galleries — continually inspired, the creativity spark still burning bright in his soul.

One night, when he was in his mid-50s, King was driving home from work in Chicago and heard about an art class being offered at nearby College of DuPage. Something deep within King convinced him to sign up for the course and finally circle back to his true calling in life: making conceptual art for any and all to embrace and immerse themselves in.

“Larry’s work embodies the spirit of freedom and liberation, something that younger artists nowadays are tapping into,” says Jeff Arnal, executive director of the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center in Asheville. “In his work, Larry imbues this kind of ‘lived experience’ in his pieces. There’s this maturity in how he’s able to present his work. It may be simplistic to a certain degree, but it’s very sophisticated and very powerful.”

King’s work was recently honored in a highly-anticipated exhibition at the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center. Titled “adVANCE! Modernism, Black Liberation + Black Mountain College,” the showcase ran from February through May 2022.

“Not all artists get to a point where they’re not afraid of experimentation. In my eyes, Larry’s work is so fresh and unique,” Arnal says. “With a lot of older artists, they get to the mid or later part of their career, and they just want to go in the easy direction. There’s nothing that indicates to me that Larry’s ever been one to go that way.”

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SARAH HOSKI PHOTO

Chai Pani wins James Beard Award

At the 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago, Asheville’s Chai Pani was named “Outstanding Restaurant,” a recognition honoring the finest establishments and chefs in the culinary industry.

MOLLY MILROY PHOTO

“Our goal is to bring the vibrancy of the streets of India into our restaurant space — we do this by engaging all of the senses. From the rhythm of Bollywood music to the smell of fresh roasting spices to the mouthwatering food, we are taking our guests on an adventure to India.”

Meherwan Irani.

TIM ROBISON PHOTO

“The honor of this award means so much,” said Molly Irani, hospitality director and co-founder of Chai Pani. “It’s an acknowledgment that belongs to our team who show up every day with the goal of excellence.”

Specializing in intricate Indian street food, Chai Pani has been well known for its delicious and tantalizing cuisine amid a cozy, welcoming ambiance since it opened in 2009 on Battery Park Avenue in downtown Asheville.

“Our goal is to bring the vibrancy of the streets of India into our restaurant space. We do this by engaging all of the senses,” Irani said. “From the rhythm of Bollywood music to the smell of fresh roasting spices to the mouthwatering food, we are taking our guests on an adventure to India. And we execute this adventure around a shared mission of blowing people away with how much we care.”

Alongside her husband, Executive Chef Meherwan Irani, who hails from India, the couple has created one of the most beloved and soughtafter foodie experiences in Southern Appalachia.

“Restaurants are a gathering place. As our world recovers from the strain and trauma of the pandemic, restaurants will be one of the vehicles that brings us back to each other again,” Molly said. “Running a successful restaurant is not an easy task, but there’s nothing we would rather do. We love the energy of a packed house, making amazing food with love, nurturing and growing our team.”

And with the recent Beard Award, Chai Pani also tips its hat to its Asheville culinary colleague, the renowned Spanish tapas restaurant Cúrate, who took home “Outstanding Hospitality” at the ceremony.

“[Curate co-owners] Katie [Button] and Félix [Meana] brought an elevated dining experience to Asheville. We’re over the moon to have two Asheville restaurants celebrated by the James Beard Awards,” Molly said. “We know the passion and attention to detail that they pour into their business, and it shows. We’ve been alongside each other in our restaurants’ journeys, and have called on each other for support and advice over the years. So, it feels extra special to celebrate this accomplishment together.”

When asked about the Asheville restaurant scene being recently ranked as Yelp’s top foodie city in the United States, Molly can’t help but be proud of the constant evolution of inspiration and creativity flowing out the kitchen and onto the table in our region.

“To have the quality of locally-sourced ingredients paired with such talented chefs, makers, and artists in such a small town is incredibly unique,” Molly said. “There’s a spirit of inspiration rooted in the earth here, and in the area’s history, where independent, hands-on businesses thrive and set the tone of our town. It’s an honor to work among the craftspeople, artists, and small business owners here. It’s a community of locals who really show up in support.”

MOLLY MILROY PHOTO

SARAH HOSKI PHOTO

A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO LIVE

Residents of The Ramble community enjoy acres of lush woodland forest and miles of peaceful trails just steps from their own backyard. Explore the options to build your handcrafted home in Asheville’s most elegant gated community.

Putting Down Roots

The down-to-earth appeal of “Agrihoods”

Housing developments that offer an agricultural component are becoming an increasingly popular trend in the real estate market.

These communities are called “agrihoods” and, according to the Urban Land Institute (ULI), they “are meant to facilitate food production, as well as offer up green space, recreation, aesthetics, and value for a community.”

Within The Cliffs at Walnut Cove is Creekside Farms, a working organic farm that helps feed those who live there. The farm aspect of the community is specifically what attracted Tracey and Ken Ward to the development.

When the Wards were looking for a home, they each had different visions: Tracey had her heart set on a farm; Ken wanted to be near a golf course. At Creekside Farms, both got what they wanted.

“We found that here, we could have the golf course on one side of our property and the farm on the other,” she said of the Creekside Farms agrihood. “It was the best of both worlds.”

Tracey raves about the classes held at the old schoolhouse in the devel opment. She’s learned about canning, medicinal herbs, and all the ways to use apples. “Education is a big part of what agrihoods are all about,” she said.

Plus, she takes great satisfaction in knowing she’s eating healthy foods and reducing her impact on the land and the planet when she picks up her weekly vegetable box from the farm.

JARED SEARCY PHOTOS

“Sustainable farming is becoming such an important thing for those worried about climate change, but it’s also just healthier to have food grown locally and sustainably. You know, you go into the grocery store and see strawberries from California, and it just doesn’t make sense,” she said.

Real estate professionals and developers are taking note of the interest in this kind of development. The Urban Land Institute estimates that there are more than 200 agrihoods in 28 states, a number that’s expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Being near green space increases home values by as much as 30 percent while also providing both aesthetic appeal and a healthy lifestyle.

Josh Smith, who is an agent for Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks and the president of Walnut Cove Realty, recognizes the appeal of these kinds of developments. He raised his own children on a farm just a few miles from Creekside.

“When we started our family, we wanted the opportunity for our kids to

grow up playing in the creeks and along the river, working around the farm together,” he said. “It was about raising our kids in more of a country setting instead of a traditional neighborhood setting.”

Another residential/commercial broker associate for Allen Tate/BeverlyHanks who has a first-hand appreciation for the lifestyle of agrihoods is Billy Taylor, who also happens to own a fifth-generation ranch.

“It’s just a wonderful way of life,” said Taylor.

“Just the other night, we were eating beef off the farm and cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden,” Taylor says. “You don’t have to go to the grocery store — you can do all your food shopping right here at home.”

As for the Wards, they couldn’t be happier with the lifestyle they’ve embraced since moving to Creekside Farms.

“I have definitely acclimated to this,” said Tracey Ward. “I don’t think I could live in concrete anymore. I’m definitely feeling my country girl genes.”

“The reason we created Creekside Farms was to help create the change we want to see in the world, and provide people an authentic connection to nature and healthy food. It's a place where people can come together to support locally grown, eat healthy and delicious food, and live a more grounded way of life. Come to events. Meet your neighbor over food. Support noble causes. Join us as stewards of the land and a life well lived."

— Developers Robert and Kara Turner (longtime residents of The Cliffs at Walnut Cove)

KEN WARD PHOTO

Western North Carolina has been not so silently sneaking onto the national scene as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Our neighborhoods provide high quality education and health care, shorter commutes than the national average, and the conveniences of larger communities, all nestled into the folds of welcoming mountain landscapes.

At Allen Tate/Beverly-Hanks, REALTORS®, we love introducing visitors to the region’s finest communities. With convenient offices across the entire region, our local agents can help you explore the communities best matching your needs.

Call us today, (866) 403-4052.

Here are a few of our favorites...

Biltmore Lake

diverse opportunities for ownership and amenities. Enjoy having a shimmering 62-acre lake, miles of trails, boating, swimming, sport courts, and playgrounds in the neighborhood. All located just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. biltmorelake.com

Bear Lake Reserve

There are places deep inside the Blue Ridge Mountains where it is still possible to

frontage fringed by beautiful mountains, Bear Lake Reserve isn’t just an escape from the daily grind, it’s a portal to another place and time. bearlakereserve.com

Bright’s Creek

Life here is as tranquil or as adventurous as you want. Private, but not solitary; active, but never rushed. A true community of kindred spirits who share a passion for Western North Carolina. Bright’s Creek is best known for being recognized by Golf Digest as one of the top 20 golf courses in North Carolina. brightscreekclub.com

Champion Hills

Founded in 1988 by a small group of investors looking for an amazing golf experience in WNC, Tom Fazio was so inspired by the land that he joined the project as both designer and investor in 1989. Today, Champion Hills is a debt-free community and a premier country club that is entirely owned by its members. championhills.com

Whether you fancy the convenience of a downtown condo, a sprawling mountain view from the side of a fairway, or the sense of community from knowing your neighbors, we are experts at matching people with our favorite communities’ lifestyles.

We are more than a little biased.

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Josh Smith

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Mountain Vineyards

With all the national and international attention and acclaim placed on Asheville and greater Western North Carolina in recent years as a mecca for craft beer, another industry is quickly rising in the background of “Beer City USA”: wineries.

“The wine scene has really taken off here in Henderson County,” said Lance Hiatt. “We have the same climate and the same soils as other renowned wine regions, so you can expect a certain kind of grape to be grown in this area.”

Co-owner of Marked Tree Vineyard in Flat Rock, Hiatt is at the helm of a new era in the storied agricultural sector of Southern Appalachia. Located at 2,300 feet in elevation along the Eastern Continental Divide, the vineyard is

home to several unique varietals.

Recently, the region was designated an “American Viticultural Area,” a highly sought after recognition given out by the United States TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau).

“Compared to the rest of North Carolina and its clay soil, we have sandy soil and mountainous, hilly terrain. Grapes need dry roots, so the terrain here

Marked Tree Vineyard in Flat Rock is one of several award-winning wineries now operating in Western North Carolina.

helps water drain off very quickly,” Hiatt said. “And then, you have our weather, which consists of warm days and cool nights — perfect for photosynthesis-making sugars to go into the glass clusters.”

Aside from its vineyard headquartered in Henderson County, Marked Tree also has a cozy tasting room in the heart of downtown Asheville. It’s not only an ode to the grapes and products offered, but also a way to increase awareness of the regional wine scene among those perhaps unaware of what lies just beyond the mountain horizon due south.

“Most of our team at Marked Tree has worked out in the vineyard,” Hiatt said. “Team members have a great knowledge of where things come from and how grapes are grown, to the point that they’ll go down to the winery or Ashe ville tasting room and be able to speak at length about what is being poured.”

Western North Carolina now boasts several award-winning wineries: Marked Tree, Stone Ashe, St. Paul Mountain, Burntshirt, Point Lookout, Botanist & Barrel, and Plēb. The demand for visiting these serene properties has exploded thanks to the thriving tourism business in the Asheville-metro region. Cue Blue Ridge Wine Tours.

“The grapes, the wineries, the wine scene itself here — it’s growing, and it’s super exciting,” said Kasey Hotchkiss, co-owner of Blue Ridge Wine Tours. “Asheville and Western North Carolina have such an incredible craft beer and foodie scene. Now everyone is looking for other culinary areas to explore, with wineries being one of them.”

Aside from the robust and delicious wine products being offered in Western North Carolina, the picturesque views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and vast, wide-open vineyards also add to the flavor of the experience, either in your glass or in your presence.

“Each vineyard is just so breathtaking,” Hotchkiss said. “It’s a really special feeling to be out there in the fields and surrounded by the mountains, drink ing a glass of wine made right here with these amazing views around you.”

“Wine people are really starting to notice this area,” Hiatt added. “And those of us who work onsite at the vineyards? We’re out there at five o’clock in the morning, taking care of the vines and working hard to get the farm running efficiently. All of these things ensure that we’re making the best wine possible.”

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Billy Harris