{"id":306,"date":"2014-09-28T22:16:06","date_gmt":"2014-09-29T02:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/?p=306"},"modified":"2024-04-21T15:20:31","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T19:20:31","slug":"high-country-wineries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/high-country-wineries\/","title":{"rendered":"High Country Wineries &#8212; Winery Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Today we traveled to the High Country Wineries of North Carolina to visit three unique wineries, each with stunning vistas and delightful wines. \u00a0The wineries, Linville Falls Winery, Grandfather Vineyard, and Banner Elk Winery, are located in the western North Carolina mountain area nestled in with the ski resorts and smaller mountain towns. \u00a0The journey to get there is full of winding roads, steep inclines and fantastic views. \u00a0<!--more--><\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-306 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3965-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3965-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Linville Valls\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-294\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-294'>\n\t\t\t\tPart of the vineyard at Linville Falls.  \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3967-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3967-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Linville Fals\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-297\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-297'>\n\t\t\t\tA panoramic view of Linville  Falls Winery. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3973-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3973-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Grandfather Vineyard\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-298\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-298'>\n\t\t\t\tThe tasting room at Grandfather Vineyard.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3971-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3971-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Grandfather Vineyard\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-300\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-300'>\n\t\t\t\tThe vineyard at Grandfather Mountain.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3980-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3980-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Grandfather Vineyard\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-299\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-299'>\n\t\t\t\tThe first row of grape vines at Grandfather Vineyard.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3986-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3986-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Watauga River at Grandfather Vineyard\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-301\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-301'>\n\t\t\t\tThe Watauga River running along the parking lot of Grandfather Vineyard.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/images\/img_3991-jpg\/'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/IMG_3991-150x150.jpg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"High Country Wineries - Banner Elk Winery\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-304\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-304'>\n\t\t\t\tThe entry sign for Banner Elk Winery.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<h2>Linville Falls Winery<\/h2>\n<p>The first winery we stopped at was <a title=\"Linville Falls Winery\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linvillefallswinery.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Linville Falls Winery<\/a> in Linville Falls, NC. \u00a0The winery is set on a 40 acre plot of land growing Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. \u00a0Since the winery has only been open for a few years, they have arrangements with other local vineyards as well as some in California to buy the fruit and make the wines at their facility on property. \u00a0The wines they have\u00a0are mostly\u00a0dry with\u00a0one or two sweeter wines. \u00a0Of particular interest are the Cabernet Sauvignon, which displayed deep dark smokey notes as well as a light balance of fruit, and the Syrah which was light and peppery. \u00a0An interesting wine they have is the Cherry Bounce. \u00a0It is a fortified wine made from fermented sour cherries and apple brandy. \u00a0It follows the same recipe that Martha Washington was famous for and it doesn&#8217;t disappoint.<\/p>\n<h2>Grandfather Vineyard<\/h2>\n<p>The next stop on our list was <a title=\"Grandfather Vineyard\" href=\"http:\/\/www.grandfathervineyard.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grandfather Vineyard<\/a>. \u00a0Located at the foot of Grandfather Mountain, this vineyard is in a picturesque setting with the mountain as the backdrop and the Watauga River as a boarder. \u00a0The mountain vineyard is stunning and makes for a grand first impression as you park your car in the lot. \u00a0They also buy some fruit as well as use their own to produce their wines. Our top pick white wine here was\u00a0the Pearls of the Vine, a bubbly white blend consisting of Seyval Blanc and Traminette which was crisp and clean with hints of apple. \u00a0For the red we picked the 58\u00b0 Fusion, which is mostly Syrah with a splash of Merlot and it was smooth, smokey and delightful.<\/p>\n<h2>Banner Elk Winery<\/h2>\n<p>Our last stop lead us to <a title=\"Banner Elk Winery\" href=\"http:\/\/www.bannerelkwinery.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Banner Elk Winery and Villa<\/a>. \u00a0It is one of the highest altitude wineries on the east coast which provides warm days and cool nights, perfect for growing grapes. \u00a0The tasting room is cozy inside, much like a mountain lodge with oversized furniture, exposed rafters and a tall vaulted ceiling. \u00a0They offer different wines that aren&#8217;t always easy to find in the south. \u00a0The Seyval Blanc is crisp and clean with notes of citrus. \u00a0The ros\u00e9 they offer is made from the Steuben grape and mostly dry with hints of cranberry. \u00a0They also offer a\u00a0Marechal Foch which is a lighter style red full of berry flavors. \u00a0If you&#8217;re in the area and are looking for accommodations, they also have a wonderful bed and breakfast on site.<\/p>\n<p>The High Country Wineries are definitely ones to visit when you&#8217;re in the mountains. \u00a0They&#8217;re not too far off the beaten path as they&#8217;re just right around the corner from most attractions in the area. \u00a0 If you&#8217;re there, you need to plan a visit and see for yourself.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Check out our other NC Wine Month postings:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[su_posts template=&#8221;templates\/teaser-loop.php&#8221; id=&#8221;156, 696&#8243; posts_per_page=&#8221;-1&#8243; post_type=&#8221;page&#8221; taxonomy=&#8221;post_tag&#8221; tax_operator=&#8221;0&#8243; order=&#8221;asc&#8221; orderby=&#8221;id&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today we traveled to the High Country Wineries of North Carolina to visit three unique wineries, each with stunning vistas and delightful wines. \u00a0The wineries, Linville Falls Winery, Grandfather Vineyard, and Banner Elk Winery, are located in the western North Carolina mountain area nestled in with the ski resorts and smaller mountain towns. \u00a0The journeyContinue reading &rarr;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":300,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[379],"tags":[134,136,137,135,81,203,74,151],"class_list":["post-306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-cellar","tag-banner-elk-winery","tag-grandfather-vineyard","tag-high-country-wine","tag-linville-falls-winery","tag-nc-wine","tag-nc-wine-month-2014","tag-winery-review","tag-wnc-wine-trail","has-thumb"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=306"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11265,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/306\/revisions\/11265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/300"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}