Count: 5 of 98
City/Town: Durham
County: Durham
Companions: Beth and Jonnell
Price: $5 for six sample wines and a wine glass
This was an impromptu trip! It was a beautiful day in Durham and we had just finished shopping at Southpoint Mall. Beth had come here before, and since we had time to spare, decided to take a 5 minute trip down 751 to visit it as well. Driving up, you see the huge lake on the right with a fountain in the middle. There's an old house (more information in comment section below) on the end of the lake.
This vineyard was really busy when we came. There were already 12+ people relaxing on the porch, and when we came in there a few people finishing up their tasting. The owner told us that another party of 12 was coming in, but they ushered them to the back room for a private tasting. Beth warned me that she did not like any of the wines, but I had a goal and wanted to try it out. This vineyard was much different than the ones I have been to (granted I haven't been to many). The owner provides a lot of French styled wines. Maybe I'm a novice with French wines but I may need more time to really appreciate the taste.
Memorable Moments:
They have a lovely patio and a lake with a fountain. It was a the first warm day of Spring (70 degrees outside), therefore perfect weather to sit outside, listen to the water fountain in the lake and drink a glass of wine.
Favorite Wine:
Unfortunately, I did not have one... it was a sad moment for me.
Other Samples:
- 2007 Viognier: This was a light white wine.. it wasn't sweet or dry but I wouldn't consider this a semi dry/sweet wine either. It was watered down to me. This might be good with cheese.
- Niagara: This was one of their many white wines. It was a bit sweeter than the Viognier. It was a bit acidic to me. Not a good flavor.
- 2006 Cabernet Franc: This was another one of their drier wines. It was too bitter for me. Jonnell and Beth thought it would be a good cooking wine for pasta. It was a little better when we paired it with milk chocolate.
- 2006 Chambourcin: This was smoother than the Cabernet Franc. Still not my favorite though.
- 2007 Merlot: I like most Merlots... I can normally drink it whether it's paired with food or not. Not this one though. There wasn't a lot of flavor to this Merlot, but that may help bring out the flavor of the food that it's paired with.
- 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon: This was a bit heavier than the Merlot, although it had a lot of qualities and flavors similar to the Merlot.
Overall Grade: D-
- Atmosphere 20/30
- Wine 10/30
- Staff Friendliness 15/20
- Staff Knowledge 10/10
- Value 7/10
Contact Information:
www.VineyardsAtSouthpoint.com
8913 NC Highway 751
Durham, NC
919.544.6291
Next Up:
Cloer Family Vineyards
Thanks for visiting Vineyards at Southpoint on land leased by the vintner from my family. I'd like to correct one comment on your blog and would appreciate your correcting it on your post. The building you refer to as an "outhouse" is actually a historic building with an origin dating between 1870 and 1910 according to the NC Historical Association which has visited the property at my request to evaluate the building. It is a one room doctor's office with two doors and two windows and resembles at least one other in Chatham County. There is yet another doctor's office that I have not yet visited that may form a doctor's circuit in Chatham County. I am still doing research on the origins and whether or not there is a relationship with that location. Originally, this doctors office was beside the home of a Mr. and Mrs. Byrd and we know that it has not been used in practice since 1928 when my father, J. E. Booth, came to this community. It was originally located approximately 1 mile south on the other side of NC Hwy 751, but I had it moved to this location when the original property was about to be sold. We are in the process of a careful and authentic restoration of the building (by a craftsman recommended by the NC Historical Association) so that at some point, it might be used in conjunction with vineyard events or for photos. If you would, please delete the reference or correct your post so that you do not refer to the building incorrectly, I would be most appreciative.
ReplyDeleteKathryn Booth Butler