Laurette Leagon, Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO welcomed Clyde and Pat Colwell to the area and wished them great success with their venture.
"We want to thank all of you that are here for our opening," Clyde said. "The process to get the tasting room open has been a lengthy one, it took us two years to get us here. I also want to say thank you to our neighbors who have been very supportive. A lot of people don't want a vineyard in their backyard, but we've been very lucky."
"I'd also like to thank all of our family and friends who have labored with us helping with the harvest," Pat said.
Visitors were treated to a taste of the vineyard's wines and light hors'douvers. As guest mingled and enjoyed the crisp notes of the Colwell's wines, the couple told of their venture into wine growing.
The Colwell's planted their first vines in 2005 on 9 1/2 acres. They grow seven different organically raised and handpicked varieties of muscadines and hybrid North American grapes and offer six wines. The Colwell's are both owners and winemakers.
"We have one-and-a-half acres of blueberries that we're planning on using for a blueberry wine, and we keep honeybees on the property as well," Pat said.
The couple share a passion for farming and the environment, having both grown up in rural areas of the country.
Clyde spent his childhood in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State surrounded by beautiful vineyards. Clyde is a former teacher, principal and superintendent. Even as a child, Clyde had a desire to establish a vineyard and winery.
Pat was raised in Northern Wisconsin in dairy and potato country and made her career as a software executive with IBM. She has long been focused on the importance of the environment to life.
After the couple both had successful careers in their chosen field, they decided to pursue a long held dream of owning their own farm.
The couple attended Surry Community College and completed the Viticulture and Enology degree program. Afterward, they established an organic vineyard and winery in Surry County.
The Colwell's spent a year looking at properties across North Carolina before finding a location they felt had the right altitude, soil and air flow to keep the humidity down.
"As for grapes, our research led us to choose three varieties of muscadines (native to North Carolina) and three North American hybrids known for disease and pest tolerance," Clyde said. "Using organic farming techniques, we hand pull weeds, add beneficial fungi and nematodes to our soil to build up the strength of the vines and rely on natural predators to take care of pests."
The vineyard offers the following wines: Carlos, Semi-sweet white wine made from Carlos (muscadinia) grapes, native to North Carolina; Chambourcin, Dry red wine made from Chambourcin (French-American hybrid) grapes; Noble, Semi-sweet red wine made from Noble (muscadinia) grapes, native to North Carolina; Triaminette, White table wine from Traminette (French-American hybrid) grapes, with distinct Gewurztraminer (parent) characteristics; Carlos-Noble Blush, Semi-sweet blush wine made from a blend of Carlos and Noble (muscadinia) grapes; Chambourcin-Cynthiana Blend
Dry red wine made from a blend of Chambourcin (French-American hybrid) and Cynthiana/Norton grapes.
Carolina Heritage tasting room is open: Sat - Sun: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.; other times by appointment. (Call : (336) 366-3301). The vineyards and tasting room are closed the month of January. 336. 366. 3301
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