| After months of saving, planning, and packing, you're | | | | blends under their own label. If you enjoy full-bodied |
| finally ready to embark on your vacation to North | | | | blended reds with a peppery finish, or perhaps a |
| Carolina's beautiful Outer Banks. You have the | | | | semi-dry combination of Chardonnay and Sangiovese |
| itinerary memorized – days and day of play on | | | | with a sweet finish, find sanctuary in a tour of this |
| the beach, with maybe an excursion to the Currituck | | | | vineyard. |
| Beach lighthouse or the Wright Brothers memorial in | | | | Martin Vineyards |
| Kitty Hawk. The trip promises to be wonderful, but if | | | | The sandy soil of Knotts Island produces great wine, |
| you are a fan of the grape it could be enhanced with | | | | and at Martin Vineyards one will find acres of |
| tours of area wineries. | | | | Muscadines waiting to be picked. In addition to a |
| Yes, wine is made in the Outer Banks. One might | | | | variety of dry and sweet table wines, guests at the |
| never expect this area to be associated with good | | | | vineyard may also pick seasonal fruits from the |
| wine, but if you plan ahead you will be able not only | | | | surrounding orchards. July is especially welcoming, |
| to enlighten your palate during a vineyard tour, but | | | | since the vineyards hosts the annual Knotts Island |
| perhaps join the locals and other wine aficianados for | | | | Peach Festival. Bring the family for a picnic by the |
| an evening of tasting, food, and fun. Consider these | | | | sea. |
| additional stops on your tour of the Outer Banks. | | | | Mother Vineyard |
| Moonrise Bay Winery | | | | Like a bit of mystery with your wine? Well, more |
| Set against the calm waters of the bay in Knotts | | | | than likely you won't find anything to sample at the |
| Island, Moonrise Bay has produced a number of tasty | | | | Mother Vineyard, because the vines are on private |
| vintages since the turn of the century. Here visitors | | | | property, yet visitors flock to this area near Manteo |
| are offered a selection of dry reds and whites, and | | | | anyway if only to catch a glimpse of the oldest |
| sweet whites from the ever popular Muscadine. | | | | grapevines in North Carolina. It isn't known who |
| Among the wines available are Merlot, Cabernet | | | | planted these vines, believed to be over 400 years |
| Sauvignon, Nebbiolo, Norton, Syrah, Chambourcin, | | | | old, but the sheer enormity and thickness of the |
| Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Tours run daily | | | | vines (to say nothing of the sweet Muscadine grapes |
| from noon to five, or by special appointment. | | | | growing from them) always leaves visitors in awe, |
| Sanctuary Vineyards | | | | and thirsty! |
| If you are visiting from out of state, best to buy | | | | A vacation in the Outer Banks is wonderful, yet one |
| your Sanctuary wine here, as they only ship to North | | | | enhanced by tours of area wineries adds a |
| Carolina and Virginia. Sanctuary not only offers wine | | | | sweetness one is certain to savor. |
| from other area vineyards, but also sells unique | | | | |