Banner Elk Winery and The Villa at the Blueberry Farm: The High Country’s First Winery
Story by Sam Calhoun
Look out Napa Valley; there’s a new winery on the block.
After three years of hard work and a lifetime of perfecting the science behind creating fine wine, Vintner Dr. Richard Wolfe has established the High Country’s first winery, located off Highway 194 at 60 Deer Run Lane in Banner Elk.
Banner Elk Winery, located within The Villa at the Blueberry Farm, didn’t have much support from state visionaries when Wolfe first presented the idea, but that’s all about to change. This Saturday, June 24, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Banner Elk Winery will open its doors for the first time to the public, proving once and for all that grapes can be grown in the High Country’s climate and altitude.
The common theory, held by vintners around the state, was that grapes couldn’t withstand the harsh winters and unique climate found in these mountains—but to Wolfe, a weathered veteran of viniculture and applied science—that only sounded like a challenge. He tried to reason that some of the best grapes in the world were grown in the French and Italian Alps, yet critics still assumed that the North Carolina mountains were too high. He knew that old-time farmers in the region excelled at producing grapes, yet no one had created a winery.
His answer was simple: he would grow French-American hybrid and American grapes that flourish at elevations above 3,000 feet and could withstand the typical High Country cold weather.
But make no mistake; he wasn’t compromising simply to bring a winery to the mountains. He had a vision to put Banner Elk wine on the map; a mission he’s close to achieving.
“We want to make a wine in the High Country that reflects the bold character of the mountains and its people,” said Wolfe, who also owns the Wolfe Creek Winery in Abington, Va.
Now that very wine that Wolfe is referring to is bottled and ready to go, soon to be joined by an extended family of up to eight different varieties. But it didn’t happen overnight.
To understand the old-world skill Wolfe uses to create his wine, you must travel back to West Virginia in the 1950s. Wolfe’s father was in the coal business with many workers laboring for him. One group of those people was Italians who lived on the Wolfe property. The Italians asked Wolfe’s father if they could plant grapes to make wine. Around those vines—that still stand today—a young Dr. Richard Wolfe learned how to make wine.
Fast forward to 1999. After leaving a job in the coal business, Wolfe moved to southwest Virginia to set up the first winery in the region. As in the High Country, he met with criticism but that only made him work harder. The winery flourished and in 2001, Wolfe traveled 50 miles south to the High Country packing an appealing offer.
He met with then-ASU Chancellor Frank Burkowski. Wolfe felt that the High Country would benefit from a program that taught local farmers how to grow grapes instead of tobacco. After presenting his program, he left Burkowski with a bottle of wine and the tentative contract, “If the wine’s good, call me.”
The wine was good.
In fall 2001, ASU created the Program for Applied Science and Research and located a small grant from the NC Department of Agriculture to set up a test vineyard in the High Country. Grapes from that test vineyard have now found a home at Banner Elk winery.
In fall 2002, Wolfe moved his attention from ASU to Lees-McRae. While working in the mountains of Banner Elk, he met a man who would show him his future—Angelo Accetturo. Accetturo owned a blueberry farm on the edge of town—on Gualtney Road off Highway 194—and was interested in making the plot a winery with the help of Wolfe. It was a rare find. Legend has it that the blueberry farm in question was the site of the last elk killed in the High Country. Originally, the Banner Family owned the property, thus the incident gained the name “Banner’s Elk,” reportedly where the origin of the town’s name.
Accetturo and Wolfe became equal partners. Three years and $3 million later, the High Country has its own winery. Wolfe and his wife De De Walton manage the property that includes a vineyard, winery and eight-bedroom villa.
Wolfe has big plans for the winery after the grand opening. The facility is a perfect location for weddings that can be held indoors or outdoors, and there’s even space in the villa for entire families to stay during the festivities. But the villa can accommodate more than weddings—it can be booked receptions, luncheons, corporate gatherings, galas, you name it … the villa is equipped.
“It’s a real opportunity for another venue to host parties and such,” added Walton.
Walton also has plans for themed dinners—Italian, Mediterranean, Greek, and more—that will pair well-priced entrees with some of Banner Elk’s finest wine.
“We’re trying to show how our wines are versatile and can be paired with different foods,” said Walton.
Plans are also in the works for a “nice store,” that will sell local crafts, cheeses, art, wine and other wine-related merchandise.
“We hope to carry things that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Walton, who has already set up a preliminary store carrying T-shirts, hats and wine glasses with the Banner Elk Winery logo.
Wolfe and Walton are also planning wine tastings in which guests will get to taste the spectrum of local wines for a nominal fee of $5, credited when patrons buy a bottle. Picnic tables will also be set up soon so that guests can enjoy the blueberry and grape vines while they dine.
Although there won’t be a permanent chef at the Banner Elk Winery, guests who stay in the villa receive a homemade breakfast every morning, cooked by a standin chef, and local caterers will be hired to handle large events.
The 6,000-square-foot villa comfortably accommodates sixteen people in eight distinctive bedrooms, each named after one of the winery’s flavors. For guests, fly fishing is available onsite, children’s activities are coming soon and multiple games, such as bocce and croquet, are also offered.
“I don’t think there’s anything like it in the area,” added Walton.
A perfect time to check out the Villa at the Blueberry Farm and the 1,000-square-foot winery occurs this weekend on Saturday, June 24, during the grand opening celebration from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
“The Grand Opening is a big deal for us,” said Walton. “Just the fact that we’re open is a big deal—we get calls everyday.”
After the grand opening, the winery will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For more information about the Banner Elk Winery or to make reservations at the Villa at the Blueberry Farm, call 828-260-1790 or 828-898-9099 or click to www.blueberryvilla.com.
To get to the Banner Elk Winery and The Villa at the Blueberry Farm, take Highway 184 into Banner Elk and take a right onto Highway 194 at the stoplight. Travel 1.5 miles and take a left onto Gualtney Road. Approximately 0.3 mile down Gualtney, take a right onto Deer Run Lane. The winery and villa are located at 135 Deer Run Lane and 60 Deer Run Laney.
Banner Elk Winery’s Grand Opening Selection
Four of Wolfe’s own creations will be offered during Saturday’s grand opening of the Banner Elk Winery. Wolfe hopes to create eight wines in the years to come, including one of the nation’s only ice wines, some blueberry wines and a Banner Elk white wine. For this weekend, guests can look forward to the following selections:
Seyval Blanc – $15 – The Seyval Blanc is a heart wine (more so than chardonnay) and is considered earthy and pairs well with chicken and mild cheeses. This creation stemmed from the thinking that “we wanted to make a wine that’s not like anybody else’s,” explained Wolfe. This wine is considered one of Wolfe’s signature selections.
Sweet Highlands Spring – $15 – Sweet Highlands Spring is one of the wines Wolfe created at his Wolfe Creek Winery in Abingdon, Va. This white table wine pairs well with spicy foods.
Cabernet Sauvignon – $19 – Wolfe’s Cabernet Sauvignon recently won the Best of Show at the Kentucky Derby Wine Festival in Lebanon, Via. It is produced in American oak barrels and carries a sweet, wood taste.
Banner Elk Red – $15 – This selection is not bottled yet but will be ready for this Saturday’s grand opening.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
