North Carolina is gaining national recognition for its wine industry. My wife and I love good wine. And if you do too, here’s a tip for a great NC Roadtrip. Head to the Grove Winery and Vineyards in Guilford County. Open daily until 5 p.m. for tours and tastings, the 44-acre farm features the winery and estate vineyards and is located just northeast of Greensboro, a short drive from the Triad or Triangle.

Grove Winery is introducing its first ever reserve red wine on November 8th & 9th. The 2006 Grove Reserve Merlot is something special, I’m told…

They produced only six barrels of excellent estate grown Merlot from the 2006 season. According to owner, Max Loyd, they have set aside the single very best of these barrels…for release now. Aged for two years in French Oak, only 24 cases of this wine were produced from this barrel. You can taste this wine for FREE November 8-9. After that, it’ll cost you $40 per bottle.

And there’s more…

November 28-29-30 - Grove Thanksgiving Celebration. Free wine tastings all weekend. They’ll also be offering free samples from Calico Farmstead (Guilford County) cheeses and Giacomo’s Salamis of Elon.

December 6th & 7th – Grove Holiday Open House. This fun weekend features free light hors d’oeuvres, free warm mulled spice wine made with the vineyard’s gold medal winning Rosso Dolce wine. Plus, you can enjoy seasonal music and decorations in the winery’s tasting room. Also featured are great gift baskets and other gift ideas.

January 23, 2009 – Wine & Cheese Tasting at Northeast Park
Tasting at Guilford County’s Northeast Park featuring locally made Grove wines and Calico Farmstead Cheeses. Both of these farms are located minutes from Northeast Park and are combining forces to produce an evening of great tastes. Cost is $10 and each participant will get to sample 6 wines and 6 cheeses.