Vineyards

It's a Family Affair

Writers/ John & Carrie Byrd

If you have not been before (or you have not been in a while), it's time to make the scenic drive down Highway 268 to visit Stony Knoll Vineyards located in the Rockford community of Dobson. Stony Knoll Vineyards is a century farm, which means the farm has been in the same family for at least 100 years. While there are approximately 46,000 farms in NC, only about 1,800 have the distinction of being a century farm.

Stony Knoll Vineyards began when the ancestors of Cathy Coe purchased the land in Southern Surry County in 1896. It was originally planted as a tobacco farm in the early 1940s and continued that way until the early 1980s. After that time, the farm was switched to cattle and hay until the 1990s when owner Van Coe began to cultivate a new use for the farm to continue its use and preservation in the family.

In 2001, 5.25 acres of vines were planted on what was once the tobacco farm. They opened their tasting room in 2004 and have since grown to 10 acres of vines. As with most of the vineyards in the Yadkin Valley, Stony Knoll faces the challenges that Mother Nature brings...weather, insects, birds, deer and more. But despite these challenges, they are still producing lovely wines.

In the past few years, Van and Cathy have taken a step back to enjoy retirement and their son-in-law, Jonah Hoosier has taken over operations to continue keeping the farm in the family. Jonah wears many hats at the vineyard and does a great job of doing so. He manages the vineyard, the tasting room and is always happy to take a moment to talk to visitors about the family farm.

Take an afternoon soon and ride out to see them—they have a little something for everyone, including two sweet style wines named for family members. Stony Knoll is located at 1143 Stony Knoll Rd in Dobson. They are open Monday and Thursday through Saturday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. Please note, they are not open on Sunday in an effort to preserve the day for family time. If you are visiting from out of town, check out their cabin on Airbnb. The property is beautiful and the tasting lodge is well-decorated. You are sure to enjoy a leisurely visit.

2nd Annual Yadkin Valley Chamber Carnival

The Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce will host their 2nd annual carnival for two days

Friday June 9 & Saturday June 10 at the Heritage Trails Center on Standard Street in Elkin. Enjoy fun rides, a kid’s zone, food trucks and other vendors from 2 pm to 10pm each day. For more information call the Yadkin Valley Chamber at 336-526-111.