Saturday, April 5 was the grand opening of JoLo Winery and Vineyard, Pilot Mountain, NC. The owners, JW and Kristen Ray, have done a fabulous job in creating a food and wine experience in the Yadkin Valley. The vineyards, winery, tasting room and grounds are beautiful. The opening day festivities included a live band and fantastic food samples. We tasted the five wines currently available and although young wines, each had unique, enjoyable flavors. My favorite was the Crimson Creek, a chambourcin red wine. It is clear that the owners are approaching every aspect of this business in a first-class manner. This winery should be on your itinerary for your next trip to the Yadkin Valley.
I was aware of the reputation of Ken Wright Cellars for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir but had never tried one of their wines. The winery is most known for single vineyard Pinot Noirs but their entry level wine is a blend from several vineyards. When I have looked for wine from Ken Wright, I have either found the single vineyard wines costing more than $60 or I have found the entry level Willamette Valley blend priced significantly higher than the $22 price on the winery website. One well known wine shop in downtown Greenville actually sells it for $34. I guess that the wine must be really good to command higher than retail prices. Two things have recently happened. Costco has a Ken Wright premium Pinot Noir for around $40 and Whole Foods Market has the entry level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir on sale for $22 rather than their usual price of $27. I chose the entry level Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and I am sure glad that I did. Ken Wright Willame...
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