When we asked Kim Myers, owner of Laurel Gray along with her husband, about their plans for growth when compared to a few of the bigger wineries down the road, her answer was simple and clear.  They want to make the best wine they can from their own fruit (they never sell grapes to other wineries) and maintain close relationships with their fans.  They have a lot of fans.  The first thing I noticed when we entered their quaint, country-style tasting room is that they had added another tasting bar in the back since the last time we were there about 3 years ago.  It was obviously necessary as we actually had to wait about 10 minutes for a spot.  But, when we stepped in she remembered us and my in-laws and continued the conversation about the new releases as if we were old friends.

They’ve done a really good job building an experience around their wines and beyond just the tasting room.  The patio is comfy, surrounded with colorful flowering plants and picturesque views of the vineyard, pond and their new winemaking facility that looks like a barn that fits with its surroundings here in Hamptonville, NC.  Kim is also an artist whose creations grace the labels of every bottle, so creativity and innovation is prominent throughout the family.

Of seven wines I tried, there were 3 that really stood out and I’ll share some notes about those here.  For more information, check out their website if you are planning a trip to the Yadkin Valley anytime soon.

2008 Viognier - Fruit/floral nose with peach and apricot that continued onto the palate with a crisp and light feeling.  This would be a nice wine to have chilled in the summer.  I am starting to see more wineries growing Viognier, including the Blackstock winery outside Atlanta and it is wonderfully surprising how satisfying they are.

A Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah blend they call “Sultry” (2006 vintage) gave me the sensation of grilled butter on the nose, like what you’d have on the toast of your grilled cheese sandwich and red berries.  The spice from the Syrah came through on the taste wonderfully and this would go well with any BBQ or grilled fare.

Finally, the 2007 Scarlet Mountain was a nice lighter red that they describe as “cherry pie without the crust.”  I got a lot of red fruit on the nose that reminded me of a dark rose’ or even what you might call a “big” Beaujolais.  It consists of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, but there is much more fruit than spice and vanilla, which makes me think this way.  I think this could be chilled a little and enjoyed with a summer BBQ as well.

From what folks in the area tell me, Laurel Gray is one of the more popular wineries in the Yadkin Valley, though its proximity to I-77 and Hwy 421 may help that a bit.  My in-laws swear by them and if I want to keep peace in the family, I am going with that too!  Seriously, they are making some good wine and really have a grasp of the entire concept in creating an experience beyond the juice.