Wolfe Wines LLC, Snow Camp, NC



Wolfe Wines, LLC, Snow Camp, NC



A quick glance at the calendar a day or so ago reminded me that March is quickly winding down which not only heralds the entrance of spring but the availability of strawberry wine at Wolfe Wines! Although I have never tasted it I have had the privilege of smelling it as it waited patiently in a large glass jar (carboy?) during a tour of Wolfe Wines by owners Floyd & Nina Wolfe. I must point out that this was not just any tour; as in the tours that walk you around the grounds, gift shop, etc. but show you little to none of the actual wine making process. My tour with the owners was an actual behind the scenes look at the wine making process. It was obvious that they take a lot of pride in their craft and I was fascinated! So much so that I have signed up for a recent groupon that gets me into my first wine making class! Being inspired by my trip to Wolfe Wines to test the winemaking waters myself was not my only “aha” moment of my brief visit and tasting.

Like most vineyards, Wolfe Wines offers a tasting of all their offerings but this vineyard does something very unique; they offer a sweet and dry (or semi dry) wine for virtually each of the selections in their impressive repertoire! I was shocked as Floyd Wolfe repeatedly poured us this startling contrast in each of the wines he makes and the difference between the two wines was always noticeable. I was skeptical when the owner announced the ability to pour dry and sweet for each wine but quickly became a believer.

What Wolfe Wines is able to do with their fruit wines is nothing short of miraculous. For consummate European varietal drinkers like myself who prefer a chardonnay or cabernet sauvignon to a sweet fruity wine I was impressed enough to walk away with multiple bottles of their fruit wines. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for blackberry wines based on my days of picking the wild variety in my youth and Wolfe’s blackberry wine was good enough to bring a bottle home. But, where else would you dare buy a bottle of cherry wine? Well, I did at Wolfe Vineyards!

In addition to their expertise with fruit wines and the rare opportunity to have a behind the scenes look at the winemaking process, I will always relish my visit to Wolfe Wines for the hospitality and privilege to interact with the winemaker/owners on a personal level. It is becoming more and more difficult to get the ear of a winemaker and have a dialogue unless you are attending a very expensive wine dinner or are attending a mega wine festival with several hundred people. Even rarer is the opportunity to find a winemaker who is willing to answer your questions and share their passion.

Just a day or so ago I literally drove an hour to purchase a bottle of Wine from Wolfe. In addition, it was not just any wine but a bottle of the coveted strawberry wine that Floyd & Nina had allowed me to savor the aroma of just a few months prior before it had even been bottled. Since it was only my second visit to this quaint rustic winery I just expected Floyd & Nina to be behind the counter conducting tastings as they did that Sunday several months ago.

Upon entering and seeing a smiling and pleasant face (that was not one of the Wolfes) I realized how lucky and blessed I was to have had my tasting conducted by the owners. They readily answered all my questions about the winemaking process and gave me several insights into the operation of a vineyard. For example, I never knew until my visit to Wolfe that a winery’s labels must meet certain criteria and the designs and wording are tightly controlled by state regulatory agencies.

Wolfe Wines is not one of the larger winery or vineyard operations in the state but don’t let their small size fool you. Their size may be small but their passion and expertise are as large as any winery I have visited. This passion and expertise coupled with the hospitality and rustic charm of this winery make it a must visit.

Wolfe Wines, LLC is located in Snow Camp, NC and is open for wine tastings Thursday through Friday from 1:00pm until 6:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm to 6:00pm. They are located at 8973 Old Plank Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349, and Phone:  336-376-1401. Their website is http://wolfewines.com/Home_Page.html.

Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard, Hurdle Mills NC

If the name of this Person County winery conjures up remembrances of that beloved Baptist hymn, the relevance is not coincidental; Rock of Ages Winery  & Vineyard located in Hurdle Mills used to produce communion wine for local churches in the early 1900’s under the watchful eye of Ernest Moore. Now the winery is owned and operated by his grandson Kevin Moore and his wife Kimberly. Together they have created a beautiful winery with many different varieties of wine and a first class structure to call home. Kevin Moore, in addition to being a former stockbroker, also owns Hard Rock Marble & Tile located in Hillsborough, NC. He was also the general contractor and laborer for what is truly a breathtaking edifice. Nestled on 18 picturesque acres with a 4 acre lake, this winery is an experience to be savored!

Kevin used his obvious expertise in stone and marble to create one of the most aesthetically pleasing tasting rooms and main tasting bar I have encountered. The main tasting bar is fashioned from dry stack Tennessee fieldstone and accented with Brazilian granite tops. It was obvious that the Moores had more in mind than just creating an inviting space to sample wine. The building is perfectly suited to weddings and corporate events and even boasts its own kitchen and culinary staff. The day my wife and I visited they were busily decorating and preparing for the upcoming Christmas holidays.

So, let’s talk about their wine. Seldom do I see wineries produce the impressive repertoire of wines that are offered at Rock of Ages. In addition to producing easily recognizable varietals like Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon they also make wine from grapes that not only had I not heard of them but I actually had to do some research on some of their grape varieties that are not as well known. For example Petit Manseng, Lemberger and Toriga are lesser known varieties of grape that this winery expertly crafts into wine.

As if a world class winery and vineyard, exquisite wine and a beautiful building were not enough, I will always remember this winery for “cork and pork”. Cork and Pork is not only the name of one of the wineries sweet wines but it also is the namesake of their spicy barbecue sauce that they sell. For a real palate puzzle try the sauce before and after a sip of the namesake wine and marvel in the difference. At an upcoming wine tasting I intend to pair a spicy shrimp dish with the cork and pork. I am sure my guests will be impressed as I was.

Rock of Ages Winery is located in Hurdle Mills, NC and is open for wine tastings Monday through Thursday from 1:00pm until 5:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11:00am to 6:00pm. and Sunday 1:00pm to 5:00pm. They are located at 1890 Charlie Long Road, Hurdle Mills, NC 27541, Phone:  336-364-7625. Their website is www.rockofageswinery.com

Stony Mountain Vineyards, Albemarle, NC

The View From Stony Mountain Vineyard

In all my travels across the state of North Carolina visiting vineyards and wineries, never have I encountered a more beautiful winery than Stony Mountain Vineyards located in Albemarle. This family run operation located on top of Stony Mountain adjacent to the Morrow Mountain State Park overlooks the tranquil lower Yadkin Valley and provides visitors a breathtaking panoramic view of the Uwharrie Mountains and the Pee Dee River. The particular day my wife and I visited the outdoor deck of the winery was full of customers enjoying a glass of wine and the view. Later on in the visit we were informed that most of these patrons were taking advantage of a living social/groupon deal that was especially popular. In addition to the view, our visit there was made even more memorable by a tour of the winery conducted by the son of the family. Not every winery provides this inside look into the process by which they actually make the wine and it is becoming a rare treat. I felt lucky to be a part of the experience because the passion of the son and his family permeated every story he told and every question he answered. Plus, he and I both being middle school teachers made us kindred souls. Since he is also an assistant principal at a local school he has reached a level I still hope to ascend to. Never before had I been in a tasting room that was as busy as the day I visited! As a result, when it was our turn we were anxious and excited to sample their vintages. This small family operation produces several varieties of wine including chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, Grenache, syrah, pinot noir as well as wines crafted from our native muscadine. In addition, several fruit based wines are also available. I highly recommend a trip to this winery; the spectacular views coupled with the family charm that permeates the staff and operation is sure to lure you back.