NC Winegrowers Assoc Awards - Click to read more

RayLen In The News
Time to Reap at RayLen

Harvest time at RayLen Vineyards & Winery 2008

 
By Laura Giovanelli
JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 2, 2008
 
 

Picking the grapes MOCKSVILLE -- The grapes were ready, dark red and purple bunches hanging from the curve of the woody vines like garnet earrings dangling from a woman's ears.

Steve Shepard took a sip of coffee on a recent Tuesday morning and looked out over the vines. It was a good day for picking, cool and cloudy but not raining. Today it would be merlot, tomorrow golden-green vidal, followed in the weeks ahead by cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon.

Generally, harvest time for vineyards in the Yadkin Valley stretches from late August to early October, when tons of grapes are snipped off vines from Boonville to Mocksville.

At RayLen Vineyards and Winery, where Shepard is the winemaker and general manager, it's the end of the growing season and the beginning of a monthlong rush to get the grapes in. They start with pinot grigio, a white grape, and end with cabernet sauvignon, used in lush reds.

 
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RayLen Featured in the 'Wine Crush' Radio Show

Wine Crush hosts

North Carolina wines, in general, and RayLen Vineyards & Winery, specifically, are featured in this podcast by the Wine Crush. Steve Shepard, RayLen's vintner, speaks of the challenges of growing grapes in North Carolina, impressing future buyers of wine produced in North Carolina and which wines are his favorites.

Click here to listen.
 
Raylen's Shepard Wins at Wine

By Julia Bank

...from On The Vine - March/April 2008

Steve Shepard in the StoreroomSteve Shepard accepted two awards at this years North Carolina Winegrower’s Association conference. The first award, he accepted on behalf of Raylen Vineyards for the NC Winegrower of Excellence. The second award, a standing tradition, was the Member of Distinction award.

Kim Meyers, president of the NCWA, explained the process. “It was strictly by coincidence that Steve took home both awards. There were two completely different panels for each award,” Meyers said.

The distinction award stands out as an award for contributors who have done a lot to help change and grow the state’s wine industry. “We consulted with Steve when we were building our winery,” Meyers said, also co-owner of Laurel Gray Vineyards. “He was helpful with every aspect we encountered. North Carolina is very fortunate to have him here.”

 
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Cat 5 Earns Praise

The Wine Cellar: North Carolina Wine of the Month

....from the on-line partner of Winston-Salem Journal - Feb 22, 2008

by Michael Hastings, Journal Food Editor

Cat 5 Cabernet LogoWine: RayLen Vineyards 2006 Category 5.

Cost: $18.

Review: Winemaker Steve Shepard likes to blend wines, and the Category 5 shows what he can do. This wine’s name reflects its five red grapes. It is 54 percent cabernet sauvignon and 21 percent merlot, with smaller amounts of cabernet franc, petit verdot and syrah. It smells of dark berries and plums, and hints of leather and tobacco. It’s a full-bodied wine, but its smooth tannins make it easy to drink. It tastes of lots of ripe fruit, with touches of coffee and tar, especially on the lingering finish. Serve with burgers, filet mignon and grilled and roasted meats. RayLen makes another, more expensive premium red blend called Eagle’s Select.
 
Bad Weather, Good Grapes

Bad weather left grapes few but flavorful

Grapes that made it are phenomenal

from the Charlotte News & Observer - April 14, 2008

Fans of North Carolina wines may have something special to taste this summer:

North Carolina wines.

It turns out the grapes that survived the one-two punch of freeze and drought in 2007 are delivering a sublime sequel to a bitter year. Winemakers say they're seeing fantastic results.

"Those grapes are going to be phenomenal," says Karyn Howard, marketing director of RayLen Vineyards in Mocksville.
Read more...
 
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Wine Tasting

Red Flight

A Red Flight is $5 and features the following wines:

  • Carolinius
  • Shiraz
  • Merlot
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Category 5
  • Pale Red

White Flight

A White Flight is $5 and features the following wines:

  • Pinot Grigio
  • Chardonnay
  • Barrel Chardonnay
  • Viognier
  • Yadkin Gold
  • Riesling

Complete Flight

A Complete Flight is $8 and comprises the Red and White Flights as well as these Reserves:

  • South Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay
  • Eagle's Select
  • Cabernet Savignon

Winery Tours

 

RayLen barrels

Winery Tours

Visitors can experience the exciting world of the wine making process on an informative tour through the winery with RayLen's resident expert, Johnny Marshall. Whether the grapes are being harvested, processed in the presses, or aging in the oak barrels, there is always something to see on a tour.

 

Stainless vats

Tasting Room

RayLen's Store

RayLen furniture offerings

There is a great selection of wine-related items in the store -- including tee-shirts, glassware and other wine-related sundries. Also available for purchase is the beautiful funiture by 2-Day Design, which has been created from recycled wine barrels. The funiture line features a number of tables, chairs, wine racks, and cabinets.

Tasting Room

In the Tasting Room, guests have a choice of three different flights and get to keep a souvenir glass. Wine is available for purchase in the Tasting Room, on the website, or in your local wine shop.

Visit our Tasting Room...

Special Events

Special Events

RayLen Vineyards & Winery hosts five festivals a year. Festivals range in cost from $10 - $15 per person at a cash gate. Admission includes complimentary flight tastings, souvenir glass, music, and parking. Catered food will be available for purchase. Reservations are recommended. Picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs are welcome. Pets and coolers are prohibited.

Some of these events include:

  • Full Moon
  • Gumbo Festival
  • Spring Fling
  • Open House (several)
  • Halloween plus many, many more....

Case Club Members

If you are a Case Club Member, you and a guest are admitted to these special events free of charge. Also we hold several Private Parties for our members.

Membership is automatic when you purchase a case of wine. Why not purchase one today?

Planning a Trip?

Limo Services

RayLen is a proponent of Responsible Wining.

  • Yadkin Valley Wine Tours (336) 413-6536
  • American Limousine (704) 576-5309
  • Park Avenue Limousine This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (336) 789-2078
  • First Class Limousine (Charlotte area) (336) 345-1227
  • Prestige Limousine Service, Inc. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (336) 312-3240

Bed & Breakfast

Enjoy a weekend get-away at one of these fine accommodations

Area Hotels

Hotels in the area

  • Village Inn Hotel, Clemmons (800) 766-9121
  • Quality Inn, Mocksville (336) 751-7310
  • Research Tringle Park, Raleigh-Durham (888) 532-5115
  • Quality Inn, Mt. Airy (336) 789 -2000
    • This Quality Inn runs a Tour Service to RayLen