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Written By: Anna Marie Jehorek
Did you know before Prohibition North Carolina was the country's largestproducer of wine?
Did you know there are 110 wineries in the Tar Heel State?
These are a couple interesting facts learned on a visit to Chatham HillWinery at 3800 Gateway Centre Boulevard in Cary/Morrisville.
When thinking of a winery one typically envisions rolling hills filled withgrapevines in a picturesque setting. However, there's a growing trend in thecountry changing that perception. As Marek Wojciechowski, owner and wine makerat Chatham Hill Winery will tell you, “what's important about wine making iswhere the grapes are grown, not where the wine is made.”
View slideshow:Chatham Hill - An Urban Winery in the Heart of Carolina
Since 1999 Chatham Hill, North Carolina's first UrbanWinery, has been making and distributing award-winning wines. Situated aquarter mile off of Interstate-40 in the GatewayCentre Office Park, it's here in this “urban” setting Wojciechowskihandcrafts fine wines from “carefully chosen independent vineyards in North Carolina andbeyond.”
The majority of grapes used at Chatham Hill are grown in the western portionof the state in the Yadkin Valley. With warm daysand cool nights, the temperature fluctuation makes grapes grown in the Yadkin Valleyideal for creating Chatham Hill's varietal wines.
Prior to wine making, Wojciechowski and his wife Jill Winkler worked in themedical industry. Their scientific backgrounds were a huge asset when theyturned their favorite hobby into a profession. Wine making is a scientific artand Wojciechowski's knowledge is key to Chatham Hill's success.
Great pride and effort goes into crafting superior wines with definition,complexity and distinctive flavors. Standing amongst the oak barrels,Wojciechowski chuckles as he recounts stories of people in blind taste testschoosing his North Carolinawines over wines from around the world.
Perhaps best known for their Chardonnay and Cabernet, Chatham Hill has anexpanding following of aficionados. The winery produces 6000 cases per year andcan be found in local grocery stores, wine shops and restaurants. They alsohave a thriving wine club and on line sales.
Upon entering visitors are greeted by friendly faces welcoming guests withtheir enthusiasm and passion for food and fine wine. The wine, art work andchic setting make this an “unexpected wine experience.” The tasting room isopen Monday through Friday from 11:00 to 5:00, Saturday 11:00 to 6:00 andSunday 1:00 to 5:00. Tours are held Monday through Friday at 12:30 and 3:30,Saturdays at 1:00, 3:00 and 4:30 and Sundays at 2:00.
In addition to tastings, Chatham Hill hosts wine events. Each month featuresa full calendar of happenings including Wine and Cheese Pairings, Wine andChocolate, Women who Wine and more. Private events are also held at ChathamHill. As their website states, by day Chatham Hill is an urban winery but atnight it transforms into “the most unique event venue in town.”
If you're looking for an “out of the ordinary” location for a corporatefunction, a wedding or a holiday party – Chatham Hill promises an unforgettableevening. They'll even personalize wine labels to commemorate your specialevent.
Chatham Hill not only promotes the North Carolina wine industry and local businesses, it alsoraises funds for Operation Home Front, a non-profit organization supporting ourtroops by helping families while soldiers are deployed.
They say every wine has a story and the story behind Chatham Hill's wine isa fascinating narrative of a flourishing winery in the Heart of Carolina. AsWojciechowski says, “The gateway to North Carolinawine country is only minutes from Raleigh Durham International Airport.”
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