MTGlass

On my recent Swan Creek area wine tour in late 2009, I was introduced to an absolute gem of a vineyard in the Yadkin Valley. Shadow Springs Vineyard was by far the highlight of our 5 vineyard tour and without our visit to the winery, our trip would have been sorely lacking. This small family owned vineyard offered the best hospitality, most tasting selections, nicest picnic accommodations and surroundings, and even some fun and potentially educational family activities.


The owners of the vineyard are always on site and take it upon themselves to guarantee that every guest has a spectacular visit. Guests can choose which tasting format they’d like, with the largest being a 12 wine tasting! Speaking from experience I can say that the largest tasting is definitely the way to go.

Shadow Springs has the basic North Carolina Wines that you may come across in numerous tasting rooms across the Yadkin Valley such as the Viognier and the Cabernet Sauvignon; however, there are a few different wines that prove to be standouts as well. Enter “Shortcake” and “Dark Shadow”. Now when I say different, I mean not a normal table wine, but I also mean different in a good way. The “Shortcake” is just what its name implies, Strawberry Shortcake, imagine you squeezed a strawberry and bottled it and there you have it. It is light, it is refreshing, and even for someone who doesn’t like a sweet wine, it is perfect in every way. I was concerned about “Dark Shadow” until I tasted it. They say that it is for chocolate lovers and I was imagining a heavy muddy tasting dark wine that left an admittedly bad mental taste in my head; however, it was quite the opposite and provides the taster with a pleasant finish to the tasting, it can serve not only as a dessert wine, but as a dessert in itself. While you are there, also make sure to take note of the Reserve Chambourcin, the Meritage, and the Crimson Sunset. The Chambourcin has an evolved and elegant taste reminiscent of more established wine areas such as Sonoma and the Italy’s Piedmont region; while the Meritage and the Crimson Sunset bring more of a native North Carolina flair while still managing to be equally good.

But enough about the wine. That may be the main reason to visit a vineyard, but it shouldn’t be the only reason. When you visit Shadow Springs you will find beautiful grounds with lake and vineyard views as well as picnic areas and gazebos. The day we visited was abnormally warm for late fall and it was beautiful beyond my expectations. The tasting room is also very nice and very comfortable. While you are there you feel as if you are visiting your wealthy relative’s new home, not a stuffy vineyard. They have merchandise for any wine lover and lots of things that would make great gifts for family and friends.

We had packed a picnic lunch for our travels that day and were allowed to sit outside on the patio and enjoy our picnic lunch in peace and quiet. The owners of the vineyard really are accommodating and friendly and go out of their way to make your stay an enjoyable one.

To top off our visit to Shadow Springs, a local farmer named Norman was giving hayrides around the vineyard and over to the local Amish Country Store. Many people may not realize it, however there is a small Amish community located just minutes from Shadow Springs Vineyards. The people are very friendly and peddle their well-crafted goods at the local store. It’s a great experience for children and adults alike and provides great insight into another culture and way of life. If Norman happens to be offering rides on the day you visit, take the extra time to take part, it’s a great little extra.

Be sure to check out Shadow Springs website for their upcoming events. That’s yet another great thing about their vineyard, they seem to have a lot of goings on. For very little cost a couple or family can spend an enjoyable afternoon creating their own wines, having a picnic, learning about other cultures around the corner, taking part in a mystery weekend, or even doing a little shopping. The website is www.shadowspringsvineyard.com. The vineyard is located at 5543 Crater Rd Hamptonville, NC 27020.