Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Wine and Llamas


Last Sunday, Kevin and Ashley went wine tasting with us.  It was our first visit to the Divine Llama Vineyard, and it was lots of fun.  The tasting room is the property's original farmhouse.  Before it was restored, it was in such bad condition that the fire department refused to burn it down, so they chose to restore it instead.  The place is gorgeous, with a large front porch overlooking the vineyard.  They share the property with llamas, miniature horses, a miniature burro, several dogs, and cats and some 30 chickens.  Some of their wines are named after their llamas, who are raised as pets, and show animals only.


It truly is a farm, with what looked like several acres of some type of beans out back.  From their house, just down the gravel drive, they have a great view of Pilot Mountain from every window.

We tasted their array of wines, and they were all very good.  The last two in the lineup were slightly sweet, and not so much to my liking, but were still good wines.


At Divine Llama, they grow Chardonnay, Chardonel, Traminette, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.  The first three were dry white wines, and my favorites.  The wines in North Carolina have come a long ways since we began tasting them five years ago.



We noticed as we drove in that there were still grapes hanging on the vines, so I asked if they had completed their harvest.  She said they had and the remaining grapes were left for the birds, etc.  The reason being that if they used all the grapes they would have  more wine than they could bottle and sell before the next harvest.  They produce about 12,000 bottles per year.  From my taste experience, I would think that soon they should be able to sell all they could bottle.

8 comments:

  1. I love visiting wineries. We have a lot in California too, of course, but different places have such wonderful offerings too.

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  2. Oh my goodness! The expression in the close-up of the llama is beyond priceless! Looks like a fablous place to be wine tasting!

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  3. Oh that sounds like a fun way to spend the day. You can't beat sunshine, critters, wine and photo opportunities.

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  4. Linda -- That close up of llama is so funny. It's a face that only the mother could love. I'm not so fond of llamas as one spit on me at a petting zoo once. YUCK!!!

    On the other hand, this llama looks like he's saying, "hey there lady...ya wanta dance with me?"

    I bet the birds are happy birds when they enjoy the left over grapes:~)

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  5. Linda- I would love to visit the wineries in California. I am a big fan of Cali Cabs and KJ Chardonnay NC is up and coming though. I think we will have the best success with white here, particularly Vognier.

    Talon- I thought the llamas were very interesting, and the little horses and burro - adorable. The wines were good too. ;)

    Hilary- It was most excellent. Good friends, nature, good wine and an absolutely gorgeous fall day.

    Sara- Hey, I thought they were cute. Sorry you had such an experience. I heard camels spit on people. The birds will love the grapes. We stopped and had a few on the way out, too. I was impressed with their wines.

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  6. 12,000 -- wow, a lot of work in that.

    I love all these pics, Linda.

    And the birds eating the left-over grapes no doubt help fertilize for next season! Symbiotic wonders abound. :)

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  7. Hi Linda .. what a great place .. love the pictures .. the Llama .. or is he the Burro? He /She looks real sparky ..

    I as Jannie does .. love that they leave extra for the birds - think of nature and it will think of you ...

    Enjoy this weekend ... Hilary

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  8. Jannie- Yeah, that is a lot for a small winery. They also use the "llama beans" as they call them for fertilizer, too.

    Hilary- There are two pics of individual llamas and a pic showing two miniature horses and the burro (the one with the stripe down his side). They are all adorable to me.

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