Greensboro, NC -- We returned to the Yadkin River Valley on Sunday to snap more photos of vineyards signs with us in them. Since we're having a "wine themed" wedding, each of our guest tables at dinner will be named after a North Carolina vineyard. A photo of that vineyard with us in it will be displayed in the center of the table. The other reason, and perhaps more important, is to taste more local wines. Here are the places that we visited, but did not try any of their wines:
- Westbend Vineyards
- RayLen Vineyards (closed on Sundays)
- Brandon Hills Vineyard
- Allison Oaks Vineyards
- Shadow Springs Vineyards
- Sandy Ridge Vineyards
We did stop, interact, and taste several wines from two vineyards; Misty Creek Vineyards and Hanover Park Vineyard. The proprietor for Misty Creek must have been one of the nicest people that I have ever met. With a gentle demeanor, the owner provided a dazzling display of his finest wines. He even offered us a free puppy after his dog recently gave birth to five puppies. A true gem of a winery with first class service.
On our second stop, we tried a generous tasting of wines crafted by the owners themselves. At this place, the husband and wife ownership concocted several blends by mixing various wines (similar grapes but different ages) together. The "HP Reserve," a $42 bottle, was perhaps the best wine that I tasted all weekend. A power couple of art instructors, the owners' marriage brought them to the south of France on their honeymoon where a dream of owning their own vineyard became a reality in the Yadkin Valley. Just another treat along the Yadkin River trail.
