In 2000, along with several other pioneer spirited farmers in the Yadkin Valley Wine Appellation,  Neil Shore, owner and fifth generation farmer - transitioned 10 acres into grapes.  He planted 7 grape varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat Canelli, Chambersin, and Syrah,  and this spring (2006) he added five additional acres in muscadines. (Directions)

                Above, Neil (on tractor) along with Sergio and his    
                crew, are hard at work setting posts and trellises

At left is a view of the progress from the top of the ridge

Neil named the vineyard Sanders Ridge, after Sanders Shore, his great grandfather (and son of John Benjamin), and in 2002 he harvested his first crop of grapes.  Our past harvests have been sold to several newly established Yadkin Valley wineries, however, in 2007, we plan to hold on to our harvests for our first vintage to be bottled under the Sanders Ridge label - and sold at the Sanders Ridge Winery (Spring of 2008)

Son Joseph next to one of the white pines selected for harvest	Work on the winery began last year, when Neil selectively harvested timber from the farm, and dug out a six acre lake! With the help of his sons and a portable saw mill,  Neil cut and stored all of the post and beam material needed for the timber frame construction.
	Portable saw mill and operator VERY hard at work...

Neil with a couple of freshly milled beams
The Winery! (well, sort of...) For now, you'll need to use your imagination to visualize the post and beam winery, atrium and porch.  As soon as we can pull it out of Neil's head and onto paper - we'll share it with you!

With the material snuggly stored, it should be cured and ready for construction in about a year