Community News

Saint Paul is second most favorite winery in N.C.

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 28, 2019

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, the first winery in the modern era to open in Hendersonville, ranked No. 2 in the state among favorite wineries based on Trip Advisor reviews, Business North Carolina magazine reported. Burntshirt Vineyards ranked eighth in popularity.

Started by Alan Ward in 2012, Saint Paul, on Chestnut Gap Road, Saint Paul's tasting room is situated on the edge of the vineyard. Ward also has added the Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery, which features hard cider, brandy and pommeau and coffee by the ShareWell Coffee Co. Burntshirt is owned and operated by Sandra and Lemuel Oates.

In a two-page spread about the state's wine industry, Business North Carolina notes that native muscadine grapes are dominant in Eastern North Carolina while European viniferas are more common in the Piedmont, foothills and mountains. The state has 186 wineries and 525 vineyards and ranks 11th nationally in wine production.

The No. 1 winery based on Trip Advisor reviews was Noni Bacca Winery in Wilmington followed by Saint Paul, Jolo Winery and Vineyards in Pilot Mountain, Linville Falls Winery in Newland, Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery in Ronda (Wilkes County), Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Banner Elk, Burntshirt and Childress Vineyards in Lexington.