by Melissa Howsam | May 25, 2022 | Eat, June 2022
Now holding court in your wine cabinet is just-released Court of North Carolina, the second installment in the uberpopular NC State University Hallowed Places Collection of primo vintage vinos. You may remember when we introduced you to its inaugural bottle, The Brickyard, last fall—a limited-edition red wine blend in partnership with state winery Shelton Vineyards. Now, the Pack is back (!), uncorking a new limited varietal with the vineyard—the purchase of which supports student scholarships (#WITH!).
“After the success of the first wine in the series, we’re excited to partner with Shelton again to feature the university’s iconic Court of North Carolina on this edition,” says Christopher Boyer, assistant vice chancellor of strategic brand management at NC State. “Our licensed wine series highlights treasured parts of our campus, provides our students with real-world, hands-on opportunities and celebrates the university’s commitment to helping our state’s growing viticulture and wine tourism industries thrive.”
And as with its Brickyard predecessor, this bottle of red is also adorned with a frameworthy label designed by NCSU College of Design student Carter Avayou, and available for purchase exclusively on the vineyard’s website (or treat yourself in the vineyard’s tasting room). And act fast—the last lot sold out in sub-40 days. But if you get screwed (get it?) out of a bottle this time (hey, sip happens), look for the collection to craft future blends in partnership with vineyards across the state. So, for now, just another (must-have) brick in the wall—er, brickyard—if you will. And another reason to pour one out for the Pack. $45, sheltonvineyards.com
by Melissa Howsam | Oct 31, 2021 | Eat, November 2021
NC State releases a series of wines in partnership with state wineries.
Giving you one more reason to “wine” about it, now your “pour” decisions can support the Pack. Enter the NC State University Hallowed Places Collection of premium vintage vinos—a just-announced partnership between the university and state wineries. The first in the limited-edition lineup is this Shelton Vineyards The Brickyard red wine blend, a portion of the proceeds of which support NC State student scholarships.
For this varietal, Shelton Vineyards was plucked for the plum partnership from a vat of other interested wineries via a North Carolina Wine & Grape Council-hosted tasting panel. “We were honored to be chosen to create this wine,” says Shelton Vineyards co-owner Mandy Shelton Houser, “and hope you enjoy the fruits of our labor—and a partnership that is uniquely North Carolinian.”
Emblazoned with a brilliantly designed label of the U’s iconic Brickyard—mad credit to NCSU College of Design graphic design student Carter Avayou—the bottle is available for order from the vineyard’s website. Or you can sip and relax in the vineyard’s tasting room. Just don’t rest on your laurels—this limited edition caps at 2,500 bottles.
But before you become uncorked—there will be more blends highlighting more “Hallowed Places.” Set to expand the series in coming years, NC State plans to partner with a select NC winery from the nearly 200 across the state for each iteration—and looks to launch officially licensed wines with state vineyards across other categories as well (think, for example, the university’s unique historic ties to the muscadine grape).
“North Carolina viticulture is a deep-rooted and strong part of our research and work at NC State, as well as a growing sector of the economy across our state,” says Christopher Boyer, assistant vice chancellor of strategic brand management at NC State. “This partnership showcases the important work of NC State Extension agents to help farmers across the state thrive. And, with a portion of proceeds benefiting academic scholarships, it will help us further our commitment to providing opportunities and access for students.”
Palatable potables that are farm-friendly and aid academics? Sounds like a good excuse to pour one out for the Pack. $39.99, sheltonvineyards.com
