Saturday, November 10, 2012

Native Vines Winery, NC: Native American Owned

Native Vines Winery in Lexington, North Carolina, has some good wines. It is owned by Darlene Gabbard, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and her husband Nick, who is one-eighth Cherokee.


Started in 1998, this winery was the first Native American owned and operated winery in the United States.
 
I got a chance to visit them this past summer. The tasting room was located at the end of a very long, wooded drive. It was an unassuming building set opposite the main house. Inside there was an informal tasting area filled with tables and chairs.

They had quite a selection of wines from dry table varieties to sweet, and even some specialty wines made with green tea. Nick said they grew grapes on two separate properties a short distance from the winery.

My favorites wine was the Pinot Noir followed by RedHawk, a sweet Merlot wine that just didn't want to stay dry, according to Nick.

The Native Vines Winery is open for tastings Tues - Sat from 11am to 7pm, and Sun from 1pm to 6pm
They are located at 1336 N. Highway 150, Lexington, NC, 27295
Phone (336) 787-3688
Or you can go to their website
http://www.nativevineswinery.com/index.cfm?id=382145&fuseaction=browse&pageid=1

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