North Carolina in recent years has discovered that growing grapes can be a major source of fun and satisfaction, for the region along the Piedmont Yadkin River is well suited to grow the little fruit. They are not for grape juice, but for that wonderful sipping experience of mellowed out vintage wines. I enjoyed my first trip to Shelton Vineyards and then those followed by my second trip, third and so on....you get the picture. It's not far from Charlotte and they host beautiful Summer Events. You can stay close-by if you need to make a special celebration of it.
check them out at www.sheltonvineyards.com and sign up for their new letter so you can join them in their celebrations.

A little bit further nestled in the Blue Ridge sits Chateau Morrisette another great place to stop while touring the Blue Ridge. Prepare to stay at least over night, with so many samples it's hard to choose and you just might have to re-sample. The setting is gorgeous and they too have great events during the Summer. You can sign up for their new letter too at www.chateaumorrisette.com

I remember a few years back we went to visit my aunt in Germany and I originally hail from a region in Germany where vineyards are planted on steep hill sides and occasional lush valleys. My mother-in-law Bee was with us, sweet lady in her young eighties. Her quiet family life in WV, being and living the life of a good baptist daughter not ever having tasted wine, thought that Germans sure liked eating grapes. Her son did not keep her too long in suspense and explained to her why Germans grow so many grapes. On the steep cliff along the Mosel one needs to show great respect for the little fruit, for hanging on to dear life until ripe and finally industrious hands come along and pick them. No modern machinery here.

Thank you Dionysus.