Fall Harvest Festivals, Grape Pickings, Wine Tastings: Davie County Has it All!

Whether it’s a traditional harvest festival, grape picking, special tastings, or simply a cool, crisp day in the country, fall is the perfect time of year to visit all five of Davie County vineyards and wineries. Here are some “grape” events coming up soon!
SEPTEMBER
Chestnut Trail Vineyard’s Harvest Fiesta
Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 4-10 p.m

The fabulous fiesta features activities for the entire family including pick your own muscadines, horse demonstrations, handcrafted art, hayrides, music, food and wine. Vineyard owners, John and Claudia Ellis, will demonstrate their Peruvian Paso horses for which each of their award winning wines are named.   Local artisans will be selling their unique handcrafts including jewelry, handbags, birdhouses, alpaca products, and wool sculptures.

There will be hayrides and face painting for the children, as well as horse models to paint and take home.

West End Mambo, a 9- piece band comprised of musicians from North, South and Central America as well as the Caribbean, will perform a fiery mix of classic salsa from 7-10 pm. A dance floor will be available. The vineyard’s three organically grown muscadine wines will be available by the bottle or the glass and food trucks will be on-site to provide refreshments.    Advance tickets are $10.00 at www.chestnuttrail.com.  Admission at the door will cost $15.00. Children under 16 are admitted free. Seating is general admission festival style. Guests should bring their own chairs or blankets.  No outside alcohol or coolers allowed, and no smoking is permitted on the premises. Be prepared to show your ID.  This event is weather permitting. Tickets will only be refundable if the event is cancelled by Chestnut Trail Vineyard. Chestnut Trail Vineyard opened in January 2015 and is located at 640 Cedar Grove Church Road in Mocksville. Tasting room hours are Fridays 4-7, Saturdays 1-7, or by appointment. Call 336-655-4755. Tastings are $5, which includes a souvenir glass.

Pick Fresh Muscadine Grapes at Garden Gate and Chestnut Trail Vineyards
Now until the beginning of October

Muscadine grapes have become the darlings of the nutritional world.  These North Carolina natives are among the richest sources of antioxidants found in nature as well as a leading source for a potent cancer-fighting substance called resveratrol.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, eating a diet based on whole, antioxidant-rich foods has been shown to help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and numerous other chronic diseases.

Muscadines are used in wines, jams, juice, and grape jelly. The full health benefits come from the whole fruit with the skin, pulp, juice and seeds. About 90% of the health benefits are in the skin and seeds.

You can pick these nutritional powerhouses yourself until early October at two Davie County Vineyards.

Garden Gate Vineyard, owned by Bob and Sonya Whitaker, is located at 261 Scenic Drive in Mocksville and offers grape picking almost daily of 30 Muscadine varieties including 15 Scuppernongs. Grapes are $8 a gallon if you pick them or $12 a gallon if the Whitakers pick them for you.  Call the vineyard at 336 469-4822 to confirm picking hours.  Grape vines can be purchased for $15. In addition, their wine tasting room is open Wednesday-Saturday from 12-5 and by appointment. They offer a delightful variety of Muscadine and fruit wines as well as sangria and mulled wine. Tastings are free or $5 if you would like a souvenir glass.

Chestnut Trail Vineyard, owned by John and Claudia Ellis, is located at 640 Cedar Grove Church Road in Mocksville.  They offer 9 different varieties of Muscadines that you can pick yourself for $8 a gallon or 5 gallons for $35. You also can purchase them already picked for $12 per gallon or $55 for 5 gallons. Now available are the Tara, Triumph, Scarlett and James varieties. Confirm picking hours by calling 336 655-4755. Their tasting room is open on Fridays from 4-7, Saturdays 1-7 or by appointment.

Sunday Brunch at RayLen catered by Chef Dion Sprenkle
Sunday, September 20, 2015 beginning at noon

Enjoy a buffet-style breakfast sure to please every palate. This lovely outdoor brunch will feature fresh muffins, berry smoothie shots, farmer’s market frittata, made-to-order omelets, chicken parmigiana, Iberico bacon and cheese grits, lemon basil pana cotta with fresh fruit, and a complimentary glass of wine. The cost is $25 per person with three seatings available. Reservations are required. Register online or by calling 336-998-2074. RayLen Vineyard is located at 3577 Highway 158. Stop by for a tour or to taste the many award winning wines. Hours are Monday-Saturday 11-6, or Sunday 12-5.  RayLen  offers  red, white, and sweet wine flights for $6 each. An extended flight of hand selected featured wines is $10.

Lazy Elm Vineyard’s “2012 Damn Yankee” Release Party
Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 3-6 p.m.

Lazy Elm’s owner/winemaker/tasting room manager, Chris Bolcato, a New Jersey transplant, will release his 2012 Damn Yankee, so named to poke fun at himself. The party will feature food and the live music of James Vincent Carroll, in addition to the wine tasting. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle.

Lazy Elm Vineyard is located at 523 Danner Rd. Hours are Saturday 12-8ish, Sunday 12-6ish, and Monday-Friday by appointment. Call 336-909-4914.  For $7 you may sample all 9 wines, including a unique port-style dessert wine and keep your glass as a souvenir.

OCTOBER

Shallowford Wine Trail Fall Soups, Stews & Chili Event at Misty Creek Vineyard
Friday, October 23, 2015 from 5:30-9 PM

Davie County’s own Misty Creek Vineyard, owned by Barry, Kathy, and Marge Nichols, is participating in the Shallowford Wine Trail’s Fall Soups, Stews and Chili Event. Enjoy an evening driving along the Shallowford Wine Trail. The $25 fee will give you a taste of a nice wine as well as a dish prepared to pair with that wine at each vineyard. Your wine glass is yours to keep. Other participants are Allison Oaks, Brandon Hills, Hanover Park, and Medaloni Cellars. Purchase tickets online before 7 p.m., Wednesday October 21 at mistycreekwines.com. Misty Creek is located at 710 Wyo Rd, Mocksville and is open on Friday 4-8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.;  Sunday 2-6 p.m. and by appointment. Call 336-998-3303.  Taste all $11 wines for $10, including a souvenir glass. Misty Creek is pet and family friendly.  Visitors are encouraged to bring their own munchies and a grill is provided.

RayLen Vineyard’s Halloween Open House
Saturday, October 31, 2015  from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Have a spookelicious good time at RayLen’s Halloween open house featuring a  complimentary tasting of a featured flight, snacks and a costume contest. Standard paid flights will also be available. RayLen Vineyard is located at 3577 Highway 158.