Currituck County vineyards are featured in a brief story on the FOX 5 in DC website! Click here to read full story on where you can go in the Outer Banks for delicious North Carolina wine. Be sure to stop by VisitCurrituck.com, too, for information on winery hours and locations – some adhere to seasonal times, so you don’t want to be left out!
A Currituck County wine producer had six of its wines place in this year’s North Carolina State Fair Wine Competition, including a double gold award for its blackberry wine.
Sanctuary Vineyards, by the Cotton Gin in Jarvisburg, has been growing grapes for eight years but only recently began to enter its wines into competitions. Owner John Wright said his family and the vineyard’s workers are excited about the praise for their product.
Sanctuary Vineyards’ blackberry wine, yet to be released for sale this year, was named the Best Fruit Wine at the competition.
Read more from the Daily Advance.
Our congratulations go to the fine people of Sanctuary Vineyards. We have enjoyed your wines for many years, and are pleased to see the rest of the state has caught on to the magnificence of Outer Banks wines. Bottoms up!
Posted in Currituck, Events, Wild Horses, Wine on 08. Sep, 2009
The Currituck Outer Banks has enjoyed quite a bit of press in recent days! The Daily Advance reports on a recent exhibit of photos chronicling the history of Long Point:
More than 200 residents and history enthusiasts filed into Currituck Middle School last June for an event celebrating the 150th anniversary of the building of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal.
The event was such a success that Barbara Snowden, Currituck’s official historian, and the Currituck County Historical Society have arranged a display of 19th century “then and now” images of Long Point Island at Currituck Public Library in Barco.
Also, the Piedmont Review highlights a nice article on the region’s two best attractions: the wild horses and the wine.
Rows of corn stand alongside Cabernet vines, and migratory snow geese nestle among the Sangiovese, part of the acres of grapes in Sanctuary, home to an amazing assemblage: Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Norton and the classic Muscadine. These grapes, according to Wright, ripen in the intense summer heat, tempered by cooling ocean breezes. The ancient sand dunes provide drainage and unique flavor to the fruit.
Click here for a PDF of the article.
Posted in Activities & Attractions, Currituck, Events, Wine on 01. Aug, 2009
During the height of the summer season the Outer Banks are more alive than ever! There’s nothing like spending the early morning on the beach with a relaxing stroll along the shore, or a lively game of volleyball or cornhole while the wild mustang play in the nearby dunes. We like to think this is a great time to come visit because it marks a time when most people have finished their vacations, leaving plenty of beach vacation rentals available. August is a great time to gather everyone for a week-long family reunion in a multi-room beach cottage, or one last weekend getaway with the kids before school starts.
Wednesdays through August, you can stop by the Whalehead club from 3-7 PM for Wednesday Wine tastings. For a $20 fee you can taste the best whites and red and enjoy live music as the sun sets. If you have a taste for something sweet, consider a visit to Martin Vineyards on Knott’s Island, where the peach orchard may have some choice fruits available for picking. Be sure to call ahead for availability.
If you think you have what it takes to build the best sand castle in the Outer Banks or out-kayak the competition, you’ll want to try your luck at the Ocean Games, sponsored by Kitty Hawk Kites (with locations in Currituck and Nags Head). The fun starts early on August 8 and registration is free.
For more fun family-oriented Outer Banks events, be sure to visit our online calendar for new additions and schedule changes. Don’t let August pass by without a visit – school is right around the corner!
Posted in Currituck, Just for Kids, Wine on 30. Jun, 2009
Have you been to Knotts Island lately? This beautiful area in the Currituck Outer Banks is home to Martin Vinyards, one of three wineries in the immediate area. If you have a taste for fruit wine or a delightful Viognier, this is the place to visit this summer.
The grounds of Martin Vineyards also provide for great seasonal fruit picking opportunities. Right now, peaches and apples are ready for harvest, but be sure to call ahead for availability. Families are welcome to pack a picnic lunch and tour the winery. Fruit may be picked by the basket. Look for seedless grapes to sample and enjoy around this time, too.
Depending on how you come, you may need to take the Currituck Sound ferry, so don’t forget to check the schedules. There is no charge to take the ferry to Knotts Island, and each ferry is equipped with restrooms and a climate controlled lounge so you can relax and enjoy the view of the sound as you’re carried across the water.
For more information on activities and events on Knotts Island, come to our beach online and discover that Currituck is more than you imagined!
by Kathryn Lively
With the three-day holiday fast approaching, don’t think it’s too late to find a place to stay in the Outer Banks. Bring along family and friends, and you may find you can still rent a vacation home at the beach for a reasonable price. What you do during your vacation once you get to Currituck or other parts of the region is up to you – and most assuredly the options are endless. Memorial Day in the Outer Banks, however, does offer a few special celebrations for locals and visitors to come together and remember those who fought for our freedoms, that we can enjoy our leisure time throughout the year.
Come to Currituck this Memorial Day weekend and join use for the following events:
ResortQuest Outer Banks Memorial Day Cookout
This fun-filled family event is sure to delight anyone in the family! We’ll have hot dogs, watermelon, lemonade, snowcones, popcorn… and Magic Mike will be here to entertain the kids! So come and hang out with your friends and family for an afternoon of food, music, live entertainment, and more!
Date: Mon,May 25, 2009
Address: ResortQuest Outer Banks: 1023 Ocean Trail, Corolla
Info: 252-453-3033
Currituck Jazz Festival Wine Dinner Hosted by Weeping Radish
Kick off the Currituck Wine & Jazz Festival Weekend with the best in local Currituck Cuisine and wine! Four courses of local foods from Weeping Radish paired with five distinct wines from Sanctuary Vineyards! Reserve your seat at the table now, space is limited!
Date: Fri,May 29, 2009
Address: 6957 Caratoke Hwy.
Info: 800-637-2446
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Price: $50.00 per person; $80.00 a couple
Event Web site: click here
Email: info@sanctuaryvineyards.com
Cost includes light refreshments, wine tasting, entertainment by Bill Mann; smooth jazz saxophone and artwork by local artists.
Date: Sat,May 30, 2009
Address: 134 Moonrise Bay Landing, Knotts Island
Info: 252-429-9463
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Price: $30.00
Come to the Annual Whalehead Club at Currituck Heritage Park Wine Festival!
The Outer Banks is where it’s at for the best of Carolina wines. Kick back and enjoy samples of local vineyards, including Martin Vineyard and Moonrise Bay in Knotts Island, and Sanctuary Vineyards of Currituck County. Enjoy the soft breezes of the Currituck sound! Face painting will be from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, so bring the kids!
Date: Wed,Apr 8, 2009
Address: 1100 Club Rd., Corolla
Info: 252-453-9040
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Price: $15.00
Event Web site: click here
Email: events@whaleheadclub.com
Don’t miss your opportunity to sample the best of the Carolina vineyards, and enjoy great food and music! Moonrise Bay Vineyard of the Outer Banks is holding their annual Spring Fling on April 4, 2009, from noon to 4PM. For $30 you’ll enjoy tastings of recent Moonrise vintages and delight in the music of local favorite Lewis McGehee. Call 252-429-WINE to reserve your spot.
Also, Moonrise Bay offers free wine tastings all through March (you’ll save $5)! Whether you prefer a sharp, oak-flavored Chardonnay or a bold Merlot, even the sweetness of the regionally-plentiful Muscadine, Moonrise Bay can satisfy your palate.
