Great Carolina Wines

Green acres is the place to be Farm living is the life for me Land spreading out, so far and wide Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

Ok, I had to say it. The local owner and host, Guy Loeffler, is a recovering technologist that turned to raising grapes after the dot bust. Not that I can blame him. Horizon Cellars is in a beautiful location just south of Siler City between Greensboro and Fayetteville off of Hwy 421.

On a hill surrounded by pine trees, the winery is a great getaway. Guy picked his location to be as central to all North Carolinians as possible. And for people in the Sandhills or souther coast, you can taste the flavors of the Piedmont without driving all the way to the north. His partner also has vineyards in Virginia, allowing for a nice mix of grapes to choose from.

Like many technologists Guy really pays attention to detail. Is cave (the only one I've seen in North Carolina) is clean and mold free, his fermenting room is spotless, and he knows his wines down to the last drop.

But don't take my word for it. Stop by and if he's not busy out in the fields he's usually either giving tours or assisting and the tasting bar. I've heard many a happy cry when he brings out his secret stash of chocolate to pair with his Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon.

He carries wines in my new favorite varietals, Viognier and Chambourcin. He also ferments several of his wines in French Oak barrels, adding a nice, vanilla like characteristic to his Chardonnay that I really miss in stainless ferment chardonnays.