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