On a recent visit to the coast, we took a side trip to Pine Level and visited Hinnant Family Vineyards for the first time. Hinnant Family Vineyards is North Carolina’s oldest vineyard at 50 years old and the largest at over 100 acres of Muscadine vines. They also source grapes from Washington State for their other wines. Lexi welcomed us when we entered the tasting room. It is spacious and you can enjoy a tasting at the massive bar. We started off our tasting, just the 2 of us, but soon the staff was busy with groups enjoying flights and bottles on the patio. Tastings range from $14-$16. You may also choose a flight of 4 wines. On our visit, we did both.
We started with a tasting of 4 wines that ranged from dry to sweet. I particularly enjoyed the Pinot Gris and the Electric Pelican, a blend of Noble and Carlos grapes. It was awarded the gold medal at the North Carolina State Fair. Not only do they have wines from dry to sweet, but they also produce fruit wines. We enjoyed the Peach. They offer selections from The Cyber Cafe, Ashe County cheese, and other local snacks to accompany your tasting. We enjoyed a block of garlic and chive cheese and crackers. Next to the tasting room is their gift shop which offers a wide assortment of wine accessories and gifts. We purchased a wine slushie mix for an upcoming pool party. Check out our website for details to enter our June Twitter giveaway. It includes the cherry wine slushie mix. There are several flavors available to mix with your favorite wine. We mixed up the pineapple slushie mix and a bottle of their Chardonnay. It was a hit at the party.
Once you have completed your tasting you can sit on the front porch in the rocking chairs and play checkers or you may also enjoy sitting on the shaded back patio and looking out at the 50-year-old vines. They also have a spacious indoor area to relax and enjoy a bottle. There are tables and intimate seating areas for any size group. Regardless of where you sit and relax the staff offer southern hospitality and they have a deep understanding of their wines. They can accommodate larger groups but do require reservations for groups of 6 or more. Local food trucks and live music are scheduled during most warm weekends of the year.
Tours are available during the warmer months and depending on staff availability. Hinnant is open 7 days a week and Monday-Saturday opens at 10 am. Wines are affordable with the most expensive being $14.99/bottle. Hinnant is also one of the few North Carolina wines found in retail. We highly recommend stopping by and enjoying a glass or a bottle of their award-winning wines. As always we suggest checking out their website for updated information on their events.
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