Monday, March 12, 2018

Kill Two Birds With One Stone: Morgan Ridge Vineyard & Brewery


ROAD TO 100 NORTH CAROLINA WINERIES ... 

#75

Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse  is located in Gold HIll's Piedmont region. What makes Morgan Ridge stand out is the addition of its brewhouse, similar to the likes of Westbend Winery & Brewery and Round Peak/Skull Camp. What we did not know before we arrived is that they also serve Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. as well as lunch Wednesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. 

With friendly hospitality, a pen in hand and a tasting sheet before us, we strategically chose our wines for tasting ensuring between the two of us we could try as many wines as were on the tasting sheet. As we learned about the wines we also learned a lot about Morgan Ridge and like so many other wineries in our state, the stories from farming to growing tobacco and turning that land into a winery holds true here as well.



Amie Baudoin inherited 33-acres of farmland from her father and alongside her husband, Tommy, decided to dive into the winery and vineyard business in 2000. This beautifully landscaped land, with a private pond and open air pavilion overlooks the Uwharrie mountains and makes for a nice Sunday afternoon sipping wine. They began planting grapes on-site in 2004 on seven acres with seven different varietals. Several years in the making, Morgan Ridge wine was officially ready to make its debut.

We decided on two tastings of 5 wines for $5. The current offerings were: Chardonnay,  Syval Blanc, Blush, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Syrah, Applelicious (fruit wine), What The Fruit (fruit wine).

We enjoyed all we tried, although with some differing opinions between us. Morgan Ridge produces approximately 1,500 cases per year with all being made and bottled on-site.



Morgan Ridge also has a brewhouse. They saw the need to incorporate craft beer into their business plan to appease both the wine- and beer-drinker alike. 

Following our wine tasting, we split a flight of beer.  

For our flight, we sampled the Caramel Coconut Cream Ale, VaCa IPA, Creek Bottom Brown and the Almond Stout.



Just recently, Morgan Ridge Brewhouse opened another location, the RailWalk Brewery in Salisbury. 

Triangle Around Town's top 🍷 choice: Chambourcin
Triangle Around Town's top 🍺 choice: Hands down the Caramel Coconut Cream Ale with its lightness and coconut flavor we described this beer as a "cruise beer"

Wine tastings are either 5 wines for $5 or 10 wines for $10 with an option for a full tasting of all wines in a Riedel "Ginormous" stemware for $20 

Beer flights are 6 for $8 or 4 for $6

Hours are 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday 

Visit their web page at www.morganridgevineyard.com or Facebook for upcoming events

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By Jennifer Primrose & Dathan Kazsuk
Twitter: TriangleAT | Facebook: Triangle Around Town | Instagram: trianglearoundtown | Pinterest: TriangleAT | Email: trianglearoundtown@gmail.com

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