Where We Get Our Grapes

Great wines can only come from great fruit. To grow this fruit we currently own two properties: The estate vineyard at Grove Vineyards & Winery in Guilford County within the Haw River Valley AVA and Vista Ridge Vineyards. We also work with and source grapes from some of the leading local viticulturalists (fancy word for grape farmers) at places like Lenox Castle, B&S Vineyards and Storrs Vineyards, all just down the road.

Grove Vineyards

Our estate vineyards are located across the road from the winery. The 44 acre farm is located in the Haw River Valley in northeast Guilford County at an elevation of ~730 feet on a sloping, mineral rich piece of land on the banks of the Haw River. Eight acres are currently planted with varieties that thrive in the Piedmont region’s long growing season like Cabernet, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Traminette and Tempranillo. Grapes are planted in 609 foot rows, 8 feet apart using the VSP trellis system. More than 80% of Grove Winery’s grapes come from this vineyard which is dedicated to producing the best wine grown in the state of North Carolina.

Vista Ridge Vineyards

Our first farm was initially planted in 1993. This 30 acre property overlooks Smith Mountain and is located near Altavista, Virginia. Two acres were initially planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Norton & Sangiovese. The 37 degree latitude is comparable to Sonoma. This excellent vineyard site at an elevation of 775 feet offers lots of sun, constant breeze for drying out foliage, nights cooled by the lakes of the Roanoke (Staunton) River and less rain than surrounding areas. This vineyard was sold to Hunt’s Vineyard in 2017.

Storrs Family Vineyard

The Storrs family hand harvest Malbec, Carménère, Petite Verdot and Viognier for Grove at their vineyard in Caswell County located 16 miles due north of Grove. They also grow Cabernet Franc. Grove Malbec grown at this vineyard won gold medals for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages.

B&S Vineyards

We get our award winning Niagara grapes from B&S Vineyards in Mayodan, NC. Bryce & Sara Richardson planted these Niagara vines in April 2003 on top of Mayodan Mountain on land that was originally Bryce’s Grandfather’s farm. They have 509 vines that are on a Modified Renewal Four Arm Kniffen system. Sara has taken viticulture classes at Surry Community College and Bryce at Rockingham Community College.

Lenox Castle Vineyards

Lenox Castle Vineyards is owned and farmed by Larry and Mary Lynn Somers and is one of the oldest vinifera vineyards in the state, first planted in 1991. The vineyard is located in Rockingham County 5.5 miles due north of Grove at the northwestern edge of the Haw River Valley AVA.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy is to have our farm become a neighborhood-sustaining, wholistic, biodiverse, integrated system. This is an long term economic as well as quality driven goal. The Bio-Dynamic principals used at Grove Winery include:

Maintaining a cover crop in center of rows and between blocks to allow for plant and insect diversity and to prevent soil erosion

Using natural, balanced practices for soil nutrition in the vineyard. Examples include using local limestone to increase nutrient uptake, fertilizing with our neighbor’s horse manure and using waste seashell’s to add mineral content

Using natural, balanced practices to protect our plants such including milky spore to control Japanese beetles, leaf pulling and training to maximize airflow and sunlight to keep any fungal disease at a minimum and using lady bugs to control aphids

In the winery for cleanliness we pressure wash surfaces when possible to minimize excess water usage

We will recycle glass bottles and packaging from the tasting room whenever practical

We will purchase recycled products whenever practical

We use E85 fuel for our wine delivery vehicle

We compost all grape waste: stems, seeds, skins onsite. Thus minimizing our contribution to Greensboro-area landfills.

Our suppliers and customers are local when possible to minimize our carbon footprint.