Since the first commercial wine grape Mother Vine in the United States, dating back to Sir Walter Raleigh, resides in North Carolina, it makes sense that Cypress Bend Vineyards thrives here as well.
Dan and Tina began making several varietals, but they also began using a proprietary fermentation and winemaking process to produce a dry Muscadine. "Cabernet Sauvignon lovers visit our winery and are delighted to discover our dry Muscadine wines," Tina says.
Tina, who is the former president of the North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association, is quick to point to several studies that prove the grape’s health benefits. "Besides its exotic flavor, Muscadine has been found to have exceptionally high levels of resveratrol and other healthy antioxidants," she reports.
Cypress Bend Vineyards routinely reaps its share of accolades. Recently, the Catherine, Autumn, and McNeill labels won gold medals at the 2010 Mid-Atlantic Southeastern Wine Competition. These wines and others are now available for purchase on the winery’s website.
For those wine touring in North Carolina, a visit to this tradition-rich family farm is an absolute must. Cypress Bend’s 4,800-square-foot, sand-colored winery, topped by an old-fashioned cupola and bronze weather vane, includes a retail shop, tasting room, tank room, and outdoor picnic area.
Cypress Bend’s success can be attributed to hard work, fertile land, and the belief in the worthiness of a native grape. It would likely please the many North Carolinians — who weathered Prohibition and continued to make their Muscadine wines—to know that Muscadine is alive, well, and believed by many to be nature’s healthiest grape.
WHAT TO BUY:
CONTACT:
Cypress Bend Vineyards
21904 Riverton Rd
Wagram, NC 28396
910.369.0411
Tasting Room Open Mon–Sun 12–6p.m.; Sat 10–6p.m.
cypressbendvineyards.com
SPECIAL NOTES: Private tastings and tours, weddings and receptions, winemaker and owner on site, wine club discounts, wines for sale on website.
