June 15, 2009

Pay attention, Napa, Sonoma, Oregon, Washington State and other hubs of expanding wine fame, Upstart North Carolina ranks 10th for wine and grape production in the United States and is home to more than 80 wineries. The number has more than tripled since 2001. The industry is diverse, featuring both European vinifera wines as well as native muscadine wines which are known for health benefits and high levels of resveratrol.

Not only are the state's wineries growing some good grapes and uncorking some really nice wines, they're celebrating their enthusiasm with a joyous bunch of events and tastings. Beginning this spring, the wineries will offer opportunities for wine connoisseurs and the "wine curious" to enjoy great wine, food and live music through a variety of events spanning the state and the season.

Here's a sampling - for more events and North Carolina wine news, go to www.VisitNCWine.com. You can even check them out on Facefook.

RagApple Lassie Second Saturday Shindigs (Boonville) Second Saturday of the month March through September - 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. RagApple Lassie Vineyards hosts this series of events featuring wine and a terrific lineup of musical guests including artists such as "The Catalinas." 336-367-6000; www.ragapplelassie.com

Jazzy Fridays at the Winery (Wagram) May 1, 15 & 29; June 12 & 26; July 10 & 24; August 7 & 21; September 4 &18 - 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. Cypress Bend Vineyards offers guests the opportunity to unwind with light hors d'oeuvres and live jazz music. 910-369-0411; www.cypressbend
vineyards.com

Music in the Vineyards Series (Lexington) Every Saturday and Sunday from the first weekend in May through the end of October - 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Childress Vineyards hosts this series of free musical performances on the vineyard's lawn beneath the terrace throughout the summer. 336-236-9463; www.childressvineyards.com

RayLen Vineyards Spring Fling (Mocksville) May 2, 2009 RayLen Vineyards hosts this summer event featuring live music from "The Ardmores". Guests receive a complimentary glass of wine, souvenir wine glass and parking with admission. 336-998-3100; www.raylenvineyards.com

Toast to the Coast Wine Festival (Wilmington) May 2, 2008; festivities begin at 2 p.m. The 2nd annual Toast to the Coast Wine Festival will showcase a diverse style of wines, savory local cuisine and live music on the grounds of Wilmington's Hugh MacRae Park. 910-341-7181; www.toasttothecoastnc.com

Art on The Haw River Wine Trail (Alamance and Guilford counties) May 2, 2009 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. May 3, 2009 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. The Haw River Wine Trail and the Burlington/Alamance Convention & Visitors Bureau presents a two-day art and wine tour, combining winery tastings and tours with fine art demonstrations and sales. The event is a unique approach to the traditional artist studio tours where the venues are the four artisan wineries (Benjamin Vineyards & Winery, GlenMarie Winery, Grove Winery and Iron Gate Winery) along the river in Alamance and Guilford counties. Each site will host artists who will be showcasing and selling a selection of the areas most creative works. In addition to wine tastings and winery tours, there will be music and opportunities for visitors to view art and craft demonstrations. www.hawriverwinetrail.com
/artonthehwrt.html

Salute! The North Carolina Wine Celebration (Winston-Salem) May 9, 2009 The fourth annual Salute! The North Carolina Wine Celebration uncorks the streets of downtown Winston-Salem with more than 25 wineries offering tastings and purchase of their harvest. Voted a "Top 20 Event in the Southeast" by the Southeast Tourism Society, the event will feature food, live music and the "North Carolina Wine University," an interactive educational area. 336-354-1500; www.salutencwine.com

Fourth Annual Vineyard Blessing & Muscadine Jubilee (Vale) May 9, 2009 - 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Vale's Woodmill Winery will host this day of crafts, food and wine tastings. In addition to the vineyard blessing ceremony, the event will feature live music and carriage rides. 704-276-9911; www.woodmillwinery.com

Spring Fling Festival (Wagram) May 9, 2009 - 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. This annual festival in Wagram celebrates the approaching summer with wine from Cypress Bend Vineyards and live music. 910-369-0411; www.cypressbendvineyards.com

Duplin Winery Dinner Theatre Presents "Showtime" (Rose Hill) May 9, 2009 - 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. Duplin Winery presents an evening of music, comedy and dance as "Down Home Country" takes the stage with their musical variety show featuring rock n' roll, gospel and bluegrass. 910-289-3888; www.duplinwinery.com

Shelton at Sunset Concert Series (Dobson) May 16, 2009 - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. June 20, 2009 - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. July 18, 2009 - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. August 15, 2009 - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. September 19, 2009 - 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Shelton Vineyards will present this spring concert series featuring live music from acts including "The Tams," "The Swingin' Medallions," Jim Quick and "Coastline," "The Embers" and "General Johnson and Chairman of the Board." Free vineyard hayrides will also be available. 336-366-4724; www.sheltonvineyards.com

Hinnant Family Vineyards 2009 Local Yocal Sip-Off (Pine Level) May 16, 2009 Hinnant Family Vineyards invites amateur winemakers to compete in categories for best sweet, dry and fruit wines as well as Best Overall wine in the 2009 Local Yocal Sip-Off. In addition to wine (including a release of a Hinnant commemorative festival wine) attendees can enjoy food and live music from "CC Ryder" and "The Castaways". 919-965-3350; www.hinnantvineyards.com

Duplin Winery Presents "Grenaldo In Concert" (Rose Hill) May 16, 2009 - 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Duplin Winery hosts this evening concert featuring live music by nationally renowned composer and musician Grenaldo Frazier. 910-289-3888; www.duplinwinery.com

Fine Wine & Music Friday (Cary/Morrisville) May 22, 2009 - 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Chatham Hill Winery keeps the doors open late for guests to end the week and kick off the weekend with great wine and live music. 919-380-7135; www.chathamhillwine.com

Ninth Annual North Carolina Wine Festival (Clemmons) May 30, 2009 More than 30 North Carolina wineries convene in Tanglewood Park in Clemmons to offer attendees opportunities to taste some of the state's best wines. In addition to wine, the event will feature musical entertainment by "Chairmen of the Board" plus arts and crafts. 336-733-5836; www.ncwinefestival.com

RayLen Vineyards Open House (Mocksville) May 30, 2009 RayLen Vineyards opens its doors to guests for a complimentary flight-tasting, food by Mrs. Pumpkins Catering and toe-tapping music from "None of the Above." 336-998-3100; www.raylenvineyards.com

Childress Vineyards Wine Down Thursdays Series (Lexington) Every Thursday, June through August - 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Lexington's Childress Vineyards offers visitors a chance to enjoy award-winning wines and food from their Bistro while enjoying live music. 336-236-9463; www.childressvineyards.com

Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery's Music in the Vineyard (Ronda) June 6, 2009 - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.Join Raffaldini Vineyards for this summer celebration with live music and wine against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 336-835-9463; www.raffaldini.com

Dancing Under the Stars (Lewisville) June 13, 2009 - 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Westbend Vineyards offers guests the opportunity to enjoy live music and dancing on the vineyard's pavilion in addition to great food and wine, plus a complimentary bottle of wine with purchase of event ticket. 336-945-5032; www.westbendvineyards.com

River House Winefest (Grassy Creek) July 18, 2009 - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. River House Winefest on the New hosted by River House in Grassy Creek will feature wine from a variety of North Carolina wineries as well as live music and art exhibits. 336-982-2109; www.riverhousenc.com
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- Rich Steck & Judi Janofsky