New vineyard opens, wine industry flourishes

he wine industry continues to flourish in the Yadkin Valley.

Five vineyards have opened since the first of the year, and a sixth one will hold its grand opening Saturday.

For airline pilot David Blackwell and his wife Pamela, their Brandon Hills Vineyard is a dream come true.

"By planting a vineyard here, we ensure that for at least another generation this will remain farming land," said Blackwell.

Industry consultant Sean McRitchie said winemaking is still an experimental industry in North Carolina as vineyard owners try to determine what varieties of wine grapes will grow best here.

"You put grapes in the ground and you pull some out," said McRitchie, who owns McRitchie Wine Company. "The goal is obviously to have some good wine in the bottle."

Next to finding the right varieties, the climate poses the biggest challenge.

"With the weather patterns," said Blackwell. "Atlantic storms coming in at the wrong time or like we had this year an unseasonably wet spring, so it's going to be different year to year."

A native of Oregon, McRitchie has spent more than 30 years perfecting the art of winemaking.

He said there's been a steady improvement in the quality of North Carolina wines.

"And I think that's just from time," said McRitchie. "It's a very slow industry to develop and to find its niche and balance within the climate that it's in."

Blackwell said unlike many other industries there's a true camaraderie among vineyard owners.

"The North Carolina Wine Growers Association is a very close knit group," he said. "People open up. They're willing to help you in any way they can to get you started."

As he looked out at the fruits of his labor, Blackwell said he saw the promise of the future but remains focused on his craft.

"You see what we've done and I see what's left to do," said Blackwell. "And on a broader scale, it looks nice but I still see the flaws and I want everything to be perfect."

Brandon Hills Vineyard is located at 1927 Brandon Hills Road in Yadkinville.

Saturday's grand opening begins with a ribbon cutting at 11:50 a.m. and runs till 6 p.m.

Read the rest of the News 14 article here.