Yesterday, I celebrated our country's independence by taking a drive through some beautiful North Carolina countryside, tasting some wine at one of our state's most attractive wineries, and eating a hot dog and milkshake at a cute small-town eatery!
The drive to Rock of Ages Winery from the Triangle took my family through cornfields, rolling hills, and small communities. The people of Caldwell were setting up for a 4th of July parade of tractors, floats, and costumed participants. Just outside the community of Hurdle Mills and past some more fields and farmland, the Rock of Ages Winery stands out and welcomes visitors. The grapes grow in front of a very nice "old world" building with a terrace and patio below both with tables and chairs overlooking a pond and the vines.
When we entered the tasting room, we were warmly greeted. We spent some time browsing the very nicely stocked gift shop while another party finished a tasting. Before we started our tasting, Marie set our children up with their own homemade grape juice (yummy!) and some crackers. They were happy for the whole tasting! When my husband and I began the tasting ($5.00 tasting fee includes a glass), we were treated to some quality wines. We really liked the Chardonnay aged in oak. They have a couple of unique whites too that were good, a Petit Mansang is made with a grape grown in front of the winery. The people at Rock of Ages grow most of their own grapes, but buy some from other North Carolina vineyards since they are still relatively new (all wines are 100% NC! ). The reds were nice too. They offer a couple of Merlots and Syrahs. Their Old World wine is a Chambourcin blend that stands up well to other North Carolina Chambourcins. They have some sweet wines too and do a couple with the historic muscadine grape. A fun novelty wine is their signature Pork and Cork wine that accompanies barbecue made with their Pork and Cork sauce (also available at the shop). They sell some special farm cheeses from Pennsylvania. This is a great place to bring a picnic or just enjoy a glass on the terrace. I feel that we will return! Their beautiful facility is also available for events. Check out the Rock of Ages Winery at http://www.rockofageswinery.com/. If you don't bring your lunch to Rock of Ages, stop in Roxboro at Rob and Larry's Sugar Shack. My whole family enjoyed some hot dogs and great hand-cut fries. The hand dipped milkshake was wonderful! Check out The Sugar Shack on the Roxboro tourism site (http://www.visitroxboronc.com/).
What a great day! Visits to North Carolina wineries always take me down roads I would not otherwise travel. I am always amazed at the varied beauty and unique local flavors of our state!
As always, I am not a wine professional; I am just an enthusiast who loves wine tasting, road-tripping, and experiencing local flavor in North Carolina!
Check back often! Over the next several days, I will write about my other recent visits to North Carolina wineries.
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