WoodMill Winery’s Front Porch (WoodMill Winery website)

Head out to nearby Vale for the WoodMill Winery’s annual WoodMill Grape Stomp. This family-friendly event featuring artisans, food, tours, and discounts for wine purchases, promises to be a good time for adults and children alike. Sadly, you’ll have to leave the pets at home. But, prepare to go barefoot as you partake in the time honored tradition of prepping the grapes for production.

WoodMill Winery is in Lincoln County,  another example of a local vineyard producing quality wines within close proximity to Lake Norman.

I would be remiss as a native Southerner if I didn’t mention the variety of grapes produced here. A childhood delicacy for me, muscadines today are touted for their numerous health benefits. The most popular variety, and the one I recall enjoying as a child in South Carolina, is the scuppernong. I mention this because, as anyone who is local knows, they are sweet. Which, lends itself to a sweeter wine that may or may not appeal to everyone’s palate.

The scuppernong is also the official state fruit of North Carolina. A little educational tidbit offered by yours truly now that the kids are back in school.

The winery itself is a stunning destination offering tours, hands on wine and vineyard training, consulting services, as well as grounds and facilities rentals for special events. If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend, you can find it a short drive from home.

The WoodMill Grape Stomp runs Saturday and Sunday, August 24th-25, from 10am to 5pm and Noon to 5pm, respectively. Visit the website for more information about the event, the winery, and other details of interest.  Oh, and if you go, be sure to wash your feet.

WoodMill Winery, 1350 WoodMill Winery Ln, Vale, NC 28168 (704) 276-9911 http://www.woodmillwinery.com/winery.html

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Robin Gibson is a writer living in Cornelius. You can find her blog at http://www.robingibsonart.com/blog.html. See her previous columns under the “Robin Gibson” category.

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