Helpful Tips to Celebrate N.C. Wine Month

Burntshirt Vineyards in Hendersonville, North Carolina

By Jennifer Primrose

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*Note: Originally published for 2017 N.C. Wine Month, this blog has been modified and updated.

N.C. Wine month is celebrated during the month of September.  Are you looking for ways to celebrate? Are you new to discovering wine or what the state has to offer? Are you an experienced N.C. wine connoisseur, but looking for something different and unique to do? We hope to have you covered with our ways to celebrate this month.

TAKE A DAY TRIP

Gather up your friends and discover what this state has to offer when it comes to wineries and head out for a day-trip, or even a weekend getaway, and visit all the wineries in a wine trail. Check out ncwine.org for some wine trail recommendations.

Tip: Know before you go! If you have a discriminating palate or know that you are strictly a sweet wine drinker or a dry wine drinker, do your homework before you venture out for a more enjoyable experience. Or, if you are an adventurous wine drinker, be sure to try all the winery has to offer. You never know, you may find a new favorite!

Related Story: Raleigh Wine club visits the Swan Creek Vineyards

ASK A WINEMAKER TO SIGN A BOTTLE OF WINE

If you are fortunate enough while visiting your favorite, or new favorite, winery, inquire if the winemaker or owner is around and ask him or her to sign a bottle for you. This makes for a great souvenir!

Tip:  We always have a wine bottle pen marker on hand just in case the opportunity arises.

Jones von Drehle's winemaker Dan Tallman signs a bottle.

PACK A PICNIC

Pack a picnic and head out to your favorite winery with the best scenery, buy a bottle of wine and relax in a beautiful setting. Many wineries also host local musicians on the weekends. Check out this blog from NC Wine Guys on Wineries Perfect for Summer Picnicking.

Tip: Several wineries sell picnic items and/or may have a food truck on site. Be sure to look for Carronni's Handcrafted Creations. They do pita crackers, cheese wafers, stone ground and dijon mustards and other items perfect for that winery themed picnic. You can find their products in several wineries across the state.

Related Story:  Carronni's Hand Crafted Creations have N.C. wineries in mind

Related Story:  Music In The Vineyard ... Featuring James Vincent Carroll

Take a picnic out to one of N.C.'s 120-plus wineries.

GOOD OLE FASHION GRAPE STOMP

If you want to get up close and personal with the grapes, participate in a grape stomp. Wineries such as Gregory Vineyards in Angier, Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, Cypress Bend Vineyards in Wagram, Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe and even Childress Winery in Lexington all host grape stomps and Harvest Festivals.

Tip: Check the winery website for event information before you go, some may be ticketed events. Many have fun events scheduled throughout the day such as Lucy look-a-like contests, arts & crafts vendors, food, music, winery tours and tastings. Fun for the whole family!

Grape Stomp at Duplin Winery in Rose Hill          Photo c/o Duplin Winery

 TAKE A TOUR

Take a winery or vineyard tour to see exactly what takes place from grape to bottle. Some wineries offering tours are Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, Childress Winery in Lexington, Biltmore Winery in Asheville, Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe - to name just a few. Check out ncwine.org for more wineries with this option.

Tip: Some wineries only do tours on certain days and times. To avoid disappointment, check out the winery website ahead of time. The tours can be very interesting and informative. Get the most out of the experience.

JOIN A WINE CLUB

Joining a wine club is a great way to enjoy your favorite North Carolina wine all year round as well as being a part of special perks and benefits that members get along the way. 

Tip: Most wineries do offer wine clubs. Be sure to look over the perks and decide what is best for you. Typically, a wine club shipment would consist of 3 bottles every quarter, 6 bottles twice a year or 2 bottles every other month. In other words, a case a year! And many wineries, if not all, will ship your wines to you or even hold your wines until you are able to make the trip back for pick up. 

Piccione Winery Wine Club Installment

HOST A TASTING

Host a local North Carolina wine tasting with friends. After visiting your favorite wineries, or discovering new ones, pick up a couple of bottles and have friends over for a themed evening of wine and BBQ. Why not throw in a Raleigh beer or two to also celebrate Raleigh Beer Week, coming up in late September.

Tip: If you are doing a more "formal" tasting, do your homework on the wines you plan to open. This way you will be able to talk about the wine and shine in front of your friends with your knowledge of the N.C. wine industry.

Related Story: Going Local with NC Wines and Raleigh Beers

Triangle Around Town's wine club, the Falls River Wine Club in Raleigh.

SHARE YOUR NORTH CAROLINA WINE ADVENTURES WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As you go out and explore NC Wine country, share your photos with us on social media. Be sure to use the hashtags #NCWine, #NCWineMonth, #DrinkLocal, #GotToBeNC and #TriangleAroundTown. You can find Triangle Around Town on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram ... and recently even on Pinterest!

Shadow Springs Vineyard