Just a quick recap of our educational and fun activities so far this year:

January: Carolyn Hightower presented Mary Taylor wines, boutique European wines.

February: We traveled to Mountain Brook Vineyards in Tryon, NC with winemaker Dave Coventry formerly with Chalone and Talbott Vineyards in California.

March: Jeff & Cyd Acolia presented NAPA Burly Wines from our local vineyard owner, Hank McCrorie.  Hank joined us to talk about his Lenoir-Rhyne football days and how he became a renowned vineyard owner.

April: All Day French Rose' at Duke's Restaurant on the patio presented by distributor Queen of Wines.  Fantastic Rose' from Tropez.

May: We traveled to Rayson Vineyards in Mocksville, arranged with Jerry Ann Brown, VP of Wine Clubs, and cute Levi presented! A fun day of tasting wine and enjoying the food at Bistro Europa.

June:  "This or That" presented by Joann Kahl and Cindy Smarsh. We experienced wines paired with potato chips.

July: The annual AWS National Tasting Project presented by Kevin & Chris McCutcheon. We were the judges of Australian wines.  Our ratings are submitted to the national organization for comparison with other judges to rate these wines.  We enjoyed tasting a Penfolds and a Mollydooker – higher-end wines.

More wine educational fun to come this year!

August – a home-based event with Spanish wines.

September 21st, traveling to Dobbins Creek. This vineyard is woman-owned by Stephanie Rogol and her sister Leslie Paradiso.  Also, owners of restaurants in Blacksburg, VA, such as Sharkeys. This event will entail a food and wine pairing.  

October 19th, traveling to Piccione Vineyards for a taste of Italian wines with food pairings.

November 16th: traveling to Raffaldini for an assemblaggio (competitive mixology class) followed by a wine and pizza party.

The Lake Hickory Wine Society currently has 107 members, and approximately 48 to 52 members participate in most events.  To learn more, go to americanwinesociety.org

Or call Bill Lane at (828) 514-1421 or Cathie Lane at (828) 244-1715, the current co-chairs.

North Carolina HARVEST SEASON is here – contact a local vineyard and volunteer to help with the harvest or bottling process! You will enjoy it and learn a lot!