Northern California is the epicenter of the U.S. wine culture. However, the casual wine enthusiast may be surprised to learn that North Carolina has an established wine country of its own. In fact, North Carolina produced more wine than any other American state in the early 1900s. The state boasts more than 60 vineyards, as well as a number of organized wine clubs.
Carolina Wine Club
Based in Charlotte, the Carolina Wine Club offers an extensive list of events for members. Membership includes an invitation to monthly meetings, special discounts and tastings. Classes include a diploma series that is meant to develop wine specialists at the entry and intermediate levels. Tutored tastings are held to help members develop skill at discerning the qualities of good wine. Other class offerings cover subjects such as food and wine pairings and discussions of different wine producing regions around the world.
Carolina Wine Club
P.O. Box 6064
Charlotte, NC 28207
(704) 344-8027
carolinawineclub.com
Raffaldini Vineyards Wine Club
Chianti often is associated with Italian culture. But at Raffaldini Vineyards, Chianti has found a second home in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina. This vineyard was established by an Italian family with hundreds of years of wine-making experience, and their La Famiglia Wine Club allows anyone to become a part of that heritage. There is no charge for membership, but you must commit to buy two packages of six bottles of wine over the course of a year. Members also enjoy free tastings on any visit to the vineyard, and are invited to exclusive wine dinners and informative presentations.
Raffaldini Vineyards
450 Groce Rd.
Ronda, NC 28670
(336) 835-9463
raffaldini.com/WineClub.aspx
Vanderbilt Club
You will find one of North Carolina's most famous wineries at America's largest private home, Biltmore Estate. Membership in the Vanderbilt Club is free; quarterly shipments of three bottles of wine are required. Each wine is selected by Biltmore's winemakers, who will include their thoughts on every wine they choose, along with companion recipes from Biltmore's chefs. Vanderbilt Club members are also eligible for free wine tastings at the Biltmore Winery and will be the first to learn about the vineyard's new wines.
Biltmore Winery
Attn: Wine Club
1 Truck Farm Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
(877) 245-0648
biltmore.com/our_wine/wine_club.asp
Westbend Wine Club
Located in the Yadkin Valley, Westbend Vineyards' wine club offers a unique membership perk: your own barrel of wine. Each member may have a barrel filled with the vineyard's Merlot or Chardonnay. Then, at Westbend's annual gala, you can taste the wine from your personal barrel. In addition, members also receive free tastings and tours of the winery, as well as discounts on wines throughout the year.
Westbend Vineyards
5394 Williams Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
(336) 945-5032
westbendvineyards.com/club.php
Tags: North Carolina, Wine Club, Carolina Wine, Carolina Wine Club, Raffaldini Vineyards, Vanderbilt Club