Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA

Artisan Wine and Cider

Artisan Wine and Cider

In this episode of Cork Talk, we talk with Alan Ward from Saint Paul Mountain Farms in Hendersonville, NC! Saint Paul Mountain Farms produces wine as Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and ciders as Appalachian Ridge Hard Cider. In this conversation, we touch on the history of the farm, what it means to be producing quality wines an ciders, and just how important preserving agricultural land is.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back again! Join us as they talk about the wine style Piquette. For more information about the Wine Mouths, head to https://www.winemouths.com/ or find them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @Winemouths. The Wine Mouths theme was written and performed by Joshua Morris. You can find him at twitter.com/joshtimejosh.

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

This episode was made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. For more information, please visit https://www.ncwine.org

This episode was also sponsored by Visit Hendersonville. For more information, please visit https://visithendersonvillenc.org

Posted by Matt Kemberling in Podcast, 0 comments
In the Wine Light – Henderson County Cider, Wine, & Dine Weekend

In the Wine Light – Henderson County Cider, Wine, & Dine Weekend

Visit Hendersonville

In the Wine Light we celebrate Henderson County, NC’s Cider, Wine, and Dine Weekend!  This annual event is back again for 2022.  This year’s event runs from April 22 – 24.

Per the website and press release, “The three-day celebration welcomes people to vineyards and orchards where artisan craft beverages are produced in this thriving agricultural region. Almost 60 events take place throughout the weekend, including specialty tastings, dinners, tours, and lots of live music.”

Participants include:

Tasting Room - Appalachian Ridge

Tasting Room Pre-Pandemic – Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – Hendersonville, NC

Barrel Room at Burntshirt

Barrel Room at Burntshirt Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

Vineyard and Blue Ridge at Marked Tree Vineyard - Flat Rock, NC

Vineyard and Blue Ridge Mountains at Marked Tree Vineyard – Flat Rock, NC

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards - Hendersonville, NC

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

Stone Ashe Vineyards - Hendersonville, NC

Stone Ashe Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

In addition, the weekend will feature the grand opening of Henderson County’s newest winery and vineyard, Souther Williams, on Friday, April 22.  Souther Williams sits on land that has been in the family since 1800.  Souther Williams is located at 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732.

Activities include wine and cider tastings, live music, and more!  For a full list of activities, download the event brochure.

Henderson County has a rich history of agriculture and agro-tourism.  It is the largest apple growing county in North Carolina producing 85% of North Carolina’s apple crop.  This Cider, Wine, and Dine Weekend coincides when apples are in bloom.

Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA

Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA – Elevation Map

In addition to apples, Henderson County is now known for growing grapes as well.  It’s home to North Carolina’s newest American Viticultural Area, Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County.  It’s one of our favorite spots in North Carolina, so we recommend you go check it out too!

#InTheWineLight #NCWine #CrestOfTheBlueRidgeHendersonCountyAVA #CiderWineDineWeekend

 

Posted by Joe Brock in In the Wine Light, 0 comments
In the Wine Light – Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA

In the Wine Light – Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA

AVAs for North Carolina

American Viticultural Areas in North Carolina

In the Wine Light we continue our series on American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in North Carolina.  Our focus in this post is the sixth AVA in North Carolina, the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County.  This is the newest AVA in the state located in most of Henderson County, NC including the town of Hendersonville.

Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA

Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA – Elevation Map

Name

The petition for creating the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA originated from Mark Williams, the executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, on behalf of local vineyards and winery operators.  This AVA straddles the Eastern Continental Divide in Henderson County.  The larger area is known as the Crest of the Blue Ridge, so to make it clear the location of the AVA, “Henderson County” was added to the name.

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards - Hendersonville, NC

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

Distinguishing Features

The Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA is distinguished from the surrounding areas and other AVAs due to topography and climate.  At the time of the petition to establish the AVA, there were 14 vineyards and 2 wineries.  As of this writing, there are four additional tasting rooms open in the AVA.

Burntshirt Vineyards - Hendersonville, NC

Burntshirt Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

Per the petition, the crest separates two physiographic provinces, the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which covers the southern and eastern portions of the AVA, and the Blue Ridge Plateau, which covers the northern and western portions of the AVA. The Blue Ridge Escarpment rises steeply, so that this region of the  AVA has an average elevation more than 950 feet higher than the region immediately south, and more than 1,200 feet higher than the region immediately east.

Stone Ashe Vineyards - Hendersonville, NC

Stone Ashe Vineyards – Hendersonville, NC

Climate

The growing season averages between 200 and 220 days within the AVA.  This is shorter than the growing season to the south and east of the AVA but slightly longer than the growing season to the north and west of the AVA.  Annual precipitation is lower than regions to the south, east, and west of the AVA but higher than the region north of the AVA.

Vineyard and Blue Ridge at Marked Tree Vineyard - Flat Rock, NC

Vineyard and Blue Ridge Mountains at Marked Tree Vineyard – Flat Rock, NC

The Hendersonville area is a wonderful tourist destination that’s often less busy than Asheville.  The AVA is producing some outstanding wines including wonderful Rieslings, Chardonnays, Cabernet Francs, and Cabernet Sauvignons.  Be sure to go visit and see for yourself.

Quick Facts

Name:  Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County

Petitioner:  Mark Williams, the executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, on behalf of local vineyards and winery operators

Effective Date:  August 19, 2019

Square Miles:  215

Counties within boundaries:  Most of Henderson County, NC

Geography:  Elevation ranges from 1394 ft to over 4396 ft with mean elevation of 2362 ft

Climate:  The mean annual temperature is 55.5 degrees with a growing season that averages 200 – 220 days.

Source:  TTB Website

#InTheWineLight #NCWine #CrestOfTheBlueRidgeHendersonCountyAVA

 

Posted by Joe Brock in In the Wine Light, 1 comment
Enjoy Your Path – Marked Tree Vineyard

Enjoy Your Path – Marked Tree Vineyard

This episode features Tim Parks and Lance Hiatt of Marked Tree Vineyard in Hendersonville, NC! We visited the vineyard in the early fall (a perfect time of year) and recorded this conversation with Tim and Lance. Their love of wine started when Lance visited Chablis many years ago. Together, the pair visited many wine regions across the globe. It was the east coast wineries that really made them consider running a vineyard as an option.

The story behind the Marked Tree is that Native Americans would use a bent tree to mark a path. These Marked Trees would guide you along a path to different destinations, depending on the type of tree they used. At Marked Tree Vineyards, Tim and Lance encourage you to relax and enjoy the path you’re on.

Wine Class with the Wine Mouths is back. This time they talk to us about Syrah. For more information about the Wine Mouths, head to https://www.winemouths.com/ or find them on Facebook and Instagram @Winemouths. The Wine Mouths theme was written and performed by Joshua Morris. You can find him at twitter.com/joshtimejosh.

Closing Content

If you like this episode, please leave us a rating and review. It really helps spread the word. Subscribing and sharing with a friend is another great way to support Cork Talk.

Did you know we have a Patreon page that offers Patron Only content, early access to episode, blooper reels, and more? Head to patreon.com/CorkTalk to learn more and sign up!

This episode was made possible in part by a grant from the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. For more information, please visit https://www.ncwine.org/

Posted by Matt Kemberling in Podcast, 0 comments