Celebrate 2017 N.C. Wine & Grape Month

By Jennifer Primrose

Twitter: TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: trianglearoundtown 

September is N.C. Wine Month. It's time to celebrate all North Carolina has to offer when it comes to wine. And 2017 has certainly been good to the state's wineries. Several wineries brought home some bling from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition earlier this year, which included Biltmore Estate, Jones von Drehle, Mountain Brook Vineyards, Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery and Sanctuary Vineyards.

Several wineries also found themselves celebrating wins at the inaugural N.C. Fine Wines competition with "Best in Show" and "Best Red Vinifera" going to Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery for its 2014 Montepulciano Reserve.

Related Story: N.C. wineries win awards in largest American-made wine competition               

A huge collaboration leapt onto the scene with two of the state's finest winemakers joining forces. Some newer wineries, such as Roaring Rivers Vineyards, Midnight Magdalena and Westbend Winery and Brewery, are all buzzing with activity - and in the Fall of 2016, UNC-TV debuted "From the Vineyard," highlighting local wineries and vineyards with host Lisa Prince. The show also features certified Sommelier, Henk Schuitemaker, joining in with a "Tasting Room" segment in each episode.

Related Story: Autumn in N.C. Wine Country welcomes two new wineries in 2016

Westbound Winery in Lewisville, N.C.

Midnight Magdalena in Jonesville, N.C.

As for Triangle Around Town, we continue to make our way out to as many wineries as we can, paying a visit to our favorites and exploring those we have yet to discover.

This year, we once again took part in the Yadkin Valley Winter Reds and Herb Fest of Swan Creek. We were fortunate to attend the unveiling of RaRa Sisboombah, the collaboration wine between Raffaldini and Jolo, which we plan on opening later this month. We even ran the Shelton Vineyards Running the Vines 5K and stopped by the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival in Elkin that same weekend. In August, we attended the Riedel Varietal Wine Tasting at Hanover Park where Dathan and I had to settle an argument once and for all - does the glass really make the wine taste different?

Related Story: Made in Heaven? N.C. winemakers blend award winning wines in collaboration

Yadkin Valley Winter Reds 2017 
at Ragapple Lassie

We always have a great time exploring the state with all of these vineyards and love seeing all the great events happening with the wine industry. Follow along with us this month as we explore the different wine regions, grapes and types of wine, wine trails, events and anything else we can think of.

Cheers!