It can bring solace in times of uncertainty to think about those aspects of life which move forward unaffected. In the vineyards of the Yadkin Valley, grapes grow on leafy vines, marking the promise of a coming harvest just a few months away.
Nobody knows when executive orders will be lifted or people will feel safe traveling again, but this year’s grapes keep growing, while grapes from previous years age in oaken barrels. All part of the time-honored traditions of making wine along the Surry County Wine Trail.
It’s now been 17 years since the Yadkin Valley became North Carolina’s first federally-designated wine appellation, a distinction putting the region on par with more famous spots like Sonoma and Napa Valley.
Over the years, more than 45 wineries have filled the Yadkin Valley, including 16 vineyards in the heart of the valley comprising the Surry County Wine Trail.
Shelton Vineyards in Dobson is one of the earliest Yadkin Valley wineries, and its owners led the effort to get the federal government to recognize the appellation. The Sheltons also contributed greatly to a state-of-the-art winemaking and viticulture school at Surry Community College, the only community college in the state to have its own bonded winery, Surry Cellars.
The newest Yadkin Valley winery is Haze Gray Vineyards, also in Dobson. It opened in mid-December, only to close three months later due to the pandemic. However, its owners, like everyone in the industry, are ever hopeful for the day visitors can return to North Carolina wine country.
In the meantime, most vineyards offer shipping right to your door, allowing wine aficionados to enjoy a Yadkin Valley tasting safely in the comforts of their own home.
