Gotta Visit This North Carolina Vineyard
I was driving back from Myrtle Beach yesterday afternoon. After a whirlwind visit to the coast moving my son from one living arrangement to another as we try to get…
I was driving back from Myrtle Beach yesterday afternoon. After a whirlwind visit to the coast moving my son from one living arrangement to another as we try to get him out of college, my mind was wandering behind the wheel. Summer's coming to an end soon. Fall will be here. There's two things I love to do in the fall: watch football and visit breweries/distilleries/vineyards. I was making a mental list of the vineyards we've been to that I'd like to see again. Then, no sooner did I get home than I came across mention of Parker Binns Vineyards in Mill Spring, North Carolina. Just when I thought I'd been to every vineyard between Charlotte and the mountains, one pops up that I've not only not visited, but is on the list of "How did I miss this?!"
The 411 On Parker Binns Vineyard
85 miles west of Charlotte and 45 miles southeast of Ashville lies the Parker Binns Vineyard on 40 acres in Mill Spring, North Carolina. It was founded by Bob and Karen Binns. Their story is detailed on the Vineyard's website. After only a couple of years of retirement, we were bored and needed inspiration. With our background in the food and beverage industry, we decided that we wanted to be part of the emerging East Coast wine industry. We searched up and down the region and finally found what we felt was the perfect parcel, 10 acres in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Binns' daughter, Kelly has joined the business, and their grandson Cory (and his family) will soon be a part of this family venture as well.
What's Available At The Parker Binns Vineyard
I must say there is a much larger than usual selection of wines of all varieties at The Parker Binns Vineyard, but what sets it apart to me is the food selection. I mean, you can't really enjoy a good wine unless you're able to pair it with a light snack or charcuterie board, right? Well, they've got you covered at PBV with a relish menu that includes light meals, shareables and charcuterie.
I'm telling you, fall can't get here fast enough and Parker Binns Vineyard, me and my crew are coming! If you can't wait for fall, here are the summer hours of operation.
List: The Top 20 North Carolina Wineries And Their Best Wine
If you know me you know I love a good glass of wine. And going to wineries and tastings is a great way to spend an afternoon. While North Carolina isn't exactly known for our wine the way California, Oregon, and even Virginia are it doesn't mean North Carolina doesn't have some great wineries to check out. But knowing where to start can be hard, especially if you're just a casual wine drinker.
Well, you're in luck, the dating reviews website MyDatingAdvisor.com ranked the best wineries across the country and that includes the top 20 of North Carolina's more than 100 wineries. Yes, you read that right North Carolina is home to more than 100 wineries. North Carolina is known for its muscadine grapes, particularly the scuppernong variety. And while a lot of NC wine, especially near the coast, is muscadine there is still a good variety!
The North Carolina "wine country" is divided into five sections the mountains, piedmont, Yadkin Valley, coast, and Haw River Valley. I've been to several of the ones in NC mainly in the Yadkin Valley and the Mountains. And while the coast is known for the muscadine, the Haw River is known for its hybrid grape varieties. These include Chambourcin, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc.
But what makes a winery "the best". Obviously, to a degree it's opinion. Something that I love others might hate, as well as the reverse.
However, the metrics used in this are the following:
List: The Top 20 North Carolina Wineries
20. Sliver Fork Winery
Location: Morganton, NC
Best Wine: Four Dog Red
Flavors: Four Dog is their signature red. It's a medium-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlots, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot that features aromas of rasberry and currant.
19. Deep Creek Winery
Location: Bryson City
Best Wine: Southern Hospitality
Flavors: This Chardonnay is infused with peach for a smooth, crisp flavor.
18. Silver Coast Winery
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Best Wine: Calabash Red
Flavors: The plum-like color of Calabash Red is a hint at its flavor profile. This red features notes of raspberry as well as a hint of smokiness.
17. Divine Llama Vineyard
Location: East Bend
Best Wine: In A Heartbeat
Flavors: This wine is a Cabernet Franc and Merlot blend that features notes of chocolate and coffee.
16. B&C WInery
Location: Maggie Valley
Best Wine: The Blast (Blackberry Blast Merlot)
Flavors: This blackberry dessert wine is also an award-winning variety.
15. Laurel Gray Vineyards
Location: Hamptonville
14. Round Peak Vinevards
Location: Mount Airy
Best Wine: '20 Dry Rose
Flavors: This wine is fermented in stainless steel and features floral and citrus aromas.
13. Elkin Creek Vineyard
Location: Elkin
Best Wine: Soft White 2019
Flavors: The best-selling wine is described as crisp and balanced with fruit.
12. Mountain Brook Vineyards
Location: Tryon
Best Wine: 2017 Pinot Noir
Flavors: This variety of pinot noir stands out with it's cherry and black plum flavor.
11. Daveste Vineyards
Location: Troutman
Best Wine: Rkatsiteli
Flavors: This white wine is aged in stainless steel and has grapefruit, lemon, and floral characteristics. Daveste is one of only a handful of vineyards in the country that grows the Rkatsiteli grape.
10. Cabo Winery
Location: Concord
Best Wine: Red Dirt Road (Watermelon)
Flavors: Red Dirt Road is a sweet and fruity California white merlot.
9. Parker-Binns Vineyard
Location: Mill Spring
Best Wine: Pea Ridge Red
Flavors: A red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc with aromas of brambles and raspberry preserves.
8. Weathervane Winery
Location: Lexington
Best Wine: 2019 Rooster Red
Flavors: Described as a sweet, plum-red wine Rooster Red features Chianti grapes with the crisp taste of cranberries.
7. JOLO Winery & VIneyards
Location: Pilot Mountain
Best Wine: 2020 Crimson Shadow
Flavors: Crimson Shadow is a medium-bodied lightly oaked red wine. It features cherry and red fruit aromas, and notes of baking spice, cedar, and earth.
6. Banner Elk Winery
Location: Banner Elk
Best Wine: Watermelon Jalap
Flavors: This watermelon-flavored wine also features a good kick.
5. Treehouse Vineyards
Location: Monroe
Best Wine: Rock Quarry Reisling
Flavors: This Reisling is semi-dry with notes of pear.
4. Childress VIneyards
Location: Lexington
Best Wine: Riesling 20
3. Grandfather Vineyard
Location: Banner Elk
Best Wine: 2019 Appalachia Red
Flavors: The medium-bodied red is a blend of Marquette and Chambourcin grapes. It has a tart acidic flavor.
2. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Location: Hendersonville
Best Wine: 2015 Roseraie
Flavors: This sparkling Rose features aromas of lime and strawberry with crisp notes of mango and lychee.
1. Biltmore Winery
Location:
About: Asheville, NC
Best Wine: Century Sweet Red Wine
Flavors: Aromas of strawberry and dark caramel, complemented by notes of blackberry and vanilla.
