North Carolina is slowly building a very respectable wine country, located predominantly in the Yadkin valley north of Charlotte. We recently had the chance to pay an educational visit to RayLen vineyards based out of Mocksville. GT has always seen vineyards as much more than wine, energy environments if you will and RayLen is another winery backing that up, with an awesome solar install. Check out the video below for a quick look. Note: the muscadine (seeds) at the beginning is an indigenous grape to NC, which reportedly has up to 5 times as much resveratrol as other red grapes.

My facts aren’t quite right in the video. Click below to get the full spec on their setup.

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See more of the winemaking process at the Castelfeder winery…

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Click below to see the castle

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With the way the economic status of America is heading, extra indulgences in life are far from being enjoyed. Amongst this is of course Wine. As we all know wine is not cheap. If you are able to get a cheap bottle then drinker beware, for most of what is out there is not great quality. I have found myself drinking more South American and Australian. These wines, you are going to find affordability as well as drinkability. If you want a French or Italian wine then you just need to know what you are looking for.

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