On a recent winery weekend getaway, we headed to the Piedmont region of North Carolina, specifically Rockingham County. The Piedmont West region includes the Yadkin Valley AVA, Swan Creek AVA and extends to Greensboro. The nice thing about this trip is we were able to travel on many back roads. It’s nice to just drive and see parts of North Carolina that we haven’t seen before. Our trip started with a visit to Dragon Glass Winery in Madison, North Carolina. The drive from the main road to the property is breathtaking. The logo artwork is impressive as you can see from the sign. Upon walking into the tasting room we were greeted by Autumn, the wine tasting room host. The tasting room is rustic and open. It was hot so we decided to sit inside. There is ample outside seating when it cools off a bit. They have a large covered pavilion that is the backdrop for their live music.
One of the two owners, Dana, bought the property in 2019 with the hope of creating Muscadine wine and a venue to celebrate special occasions. Dana began growing grapes at your father’s house and became more than a hobby that sparked the dream of owning and operating a vineyard. The tasting room just opened in May and they also have planted 5 more acres of grapes. As with most small vineyard owners, Dana talked to every person in the tasting room. She spent time with us telling us her story. She was gracious and answered all our questions.
The tasting room is spacious for groups and they also have a covered patio that can accommodate weddings. I noticed that everyone in the tasting room knew each other. You can enjoy a tasting of 6 wines and a glass of your favorite for $10. Dragon Glass offers 3 reds; Dragon’s Kiss, Somewhere Tonight, and Top of the Hill. Their whites include Humble Request, Images, and Payday. They range from semi-sweet to sweet. For just $2 more you can get a charcuterie plate that includes mini cupcakes made with their wines. This tasting was by far one of the most affordable we have experienced. After our tasting, we each had a glass of their Top of the Hill. It is rich and warm with notes of cherry and blackberries. We also bought a few bottles for our sweet wine friends. Their wine labels are unique. Zane Hill, one of the owners, is a musician and songwriter. Each bottle includes a line from one of his songs. We spent the afternoon meeting new people and talking about wine. They offer live music so be sure to check their website if you are planning to visit. They are open Wednesday- Sunday, but always check their page on Facebook and their website for upcoming events. https://www.dragonglasswinery.com/
Did I mention how friendly everyone was that came into the winery? These ladies were gracious and told us all the concerts and things to do in the area for the weekend.
We love small towns and decided to check out Madison’s downtown. We stopped into Hell on Horsecreek Brewing. They were having a fundraiser for the local dog shelter. Never one to pass up helping out our furry friends, we made a donation and received a treat bag for DJ. We were the only people not accompanied by a furry friend. We left and walked across the street to Nox Wine Shop, a female-owned and Harry Potter-themed wine shop. We both had a glass of wine and a snack. They had just opened up for the evening and it was getting busy when we left. It would be a great place to grab a drink before dinner.
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