by Anna Beth Adcock | Jan 23, 2024 | Buzz, February 2024
In honor of the most sip-sational holiday—aka National Drink Wine Day Feb. 18—we dive into everything from wineries spanning the state to local wine shops and sommeliers. How *pour* are your wine smarts?
Our fave type of red? Wolfpack red, of course! NC-based Shelton Vineyards proudly produced NC State’s Hallowed Places Collection, which debuts annual limited-edition red and white wines. Which iconic university spot does the 2023
edition highlight?
a. Carter-Finley Stadium
b. Reynolds Coliseum
c. Talley Student Union
d. Hunt Library
Oh, grape! Vitis House became NC’s first-ever wine school when it opened in 2019. NTM owner Doreen Colondres boasts an impressive résumé, including serving as a celeb chef on which
major network?
a. ABC
b. Fox
c. CBS
d. NBC
Biltmore House boasts a winery—and estate!—attracting visitors from all over to Asheville for sips and strolls around the grounds. What type of building was the now-winery before it was converted?
a. Horse stables
b. Silo
c. Dairy barn
d. Greenhouse
Nestled about five minutes from the Wake County border, Zinc House Winery & Brewery transports its visitors to a tranquil oasis feat. expansive vineyards of muscadine grapes. What does the winery’s name nod to?
a. The zinc coating the walls and roofs
b. The zinc found in the fountains
c. An elevated sense of taste and smell
d. Good wine and good health
Siler City’s FireClay Cellars produced an impressive vino that earned a double gold win at the NC State Fair wine competition in 2019. Which of the family-run business’ bevs earned the prize?
a. Mulled chambourcin
b. 2018 red blend reserve
c. 2016 chambourcin
d. 2017 chambourcin
Ciao, bella! Transport yourself to surrounds reminiscent of the tranquility of the Tuscan countryside via Raffaldini Vineyards. The philosophy of the estate is influenced by which famed poet?
a. Publius Vergilius Maro (Virgil)
b. William Shakespeare
c. Emily Dickinson
d. Robert Frost
Hop to Chapel Hill for drinks that’ll rock your world at Rocks + Acid Wine Shop, dedicated to discovering the “most terroir-driven wines of the world.” Which esteemed publication(s) has Chief Wine Drinker Paula de Pano’s sippery appeared in?
a. Wine Enthusiast
b. Wine Spectator
c. Wine Magazine
d. All of the above
Lexington-based Childress Vineyards opened its doors in 2004, thus fulfilling the lifelong dream of Richard Childress, who is also known for owning a team
in what league?
a. NFL
b. NBA
c. NASCAR
d. MLB
Certified wine expert? Uh, sign us up! While there are four levels of wine sommeliers total, how many people in North Carolina have earned the highest level of Master Sommelier?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 12
d. 22
Answers: 1. B; 2. B; 3. C; 4. A; 5. C; 6. A; 7. D; 8. C; 9. B
by Lauren Kruchten | Jun 30, 2022 | July 2022/August 2022
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery
Ronda, NC
VIBE: Tuscany. Raffaldini’s 102-acre estate featuring lush vineyards, balconies and landscaped terraces provides the perfect backdrop for enjoying red and white wines made from authentic, Italian varietals.
KNOWN FOR: A grand two-story Italian-style tasting room
FUN FACT: For centuries, the Raffaldini family has owned and lived on the farm where the poet Virgil—who serves as the winery’s main inspiration—occupied during his youth.
Shelton Vineyards
Dobson, NC
VIBE: “180 degrees from any winery you will find on the West Coast.” Shelton Vineyards—located in the heart of the Yadkin Valley—is a primo spot for packing a picnic and enjoying a bottle of vino on the lawn.
KNOWN FOR: The use of French, American and Hungarian oak barrels, the latter of which enhances the wine just as spice enhances food
FUN FACT: Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina.
RayLen Vineyards & Winery
Mocksville, NC
VIBE: The epitome of wine country. RayLen Vineyards’ rolling hills and winding drive—plus breathtaking views, serene atmosphere, and winemaker Steve Shepard’s award-winning wines—make this Yadkin Valley winery a go-to for a romantic getaway.
KNOWN FOR: European varietals—including pinot grigio, chardonnay and merlot—made from almost all
estate-grown grapes
FUN FACT: Owners Joe and Joyce Neely named RayLen after their two daughters, Rachel and Helen.
Childress Vineyards
Lexington, NC
VIBE: Napa Valley. Think 70 picturesque acres of vineyards, world-class wines, and a tasting room and patio (serving immaculate views of the estate) straight out of Cali.
KNOWN FOR: The Bistro, where you can be wined and dined all day long
FUN FACT: Owned by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress
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
