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If you live near, or plan on visiting West Virginia, you really should plan on visiting one or more of our wineries. The wines made in West Virginia are flavorful and possess some of the best bouquets in the US. Read further to learn about individual wineries, what wines they produce, and where you can find them.
DANIEL VINEYARDS
Daniel Vineyards are located 3 miles south of Beckley, WV. Created in 1990 by Dr. C. Richard Daniel, this 190 acre property houses one of the finest wine making facilities in the area. Not only can you find excellent wines here, but you'll also discover a tasting room and a large deck, gazebo, and pavillion suitable for hosting a number of people at once.
A few of the 86 varieties of grapes grown and used by Dr. Daniel are listed here. Daniel's varieties of white grapes include Cayuga, Vidal, Chardonel, Seyval, St. Pepin, Vignoles, Traminette, Bianca, Aurore, Lacrosse, Niagara, Delaware, and more. His red grapes include Norton, Baco Noir, St. Vincent, St. Croix, Marechal Foch, Leon Millot, Chancellor, Swenson Red, Frontenac, and Kozma.
Here are the driving directions. From I-77 and I-64 (The West Virginia Turnpike) take Exit 42, Robert C. Byrd Drive / Mabscott. Take Route 16 South, go 1.4 miles to the 2nd stop light, turn right and go 1 block to a BP gas station. Turn left onto Old Route 54 (Glen View Road) and go 1.4 miles to Daniel Vineyards on the left.
FORKS OF CHEAT WINERY
Owned and operated by Jerry and Eric Deal in Morgantown, WV. The Forks of Cheat Winery is the first in West Virginia to produce a port wine, called Black Jewel Port. The Deals use a variety of fruits and berries for their splendid wines. Seventy-five percent of their time is spent growing and harvesting their fruits.
Their wines include Villard Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Niagara, Marechal Foch, Baco Noir, Van Buren, Blueberry, Raspberry, Apple, Spice, Strawberry, and even one called Schwarze Bar (German for Black Bear, the state animal of West Virginia). This is just a sampling of the wines you'll find at Forks of Cheat Winery.
You will find them at 2811 Stewartstown Rd., Morgantown WV 26508. Driving directions are: From I-79: Take exit 148 onto I-68 East. From I-68 at exit 7 turn left (right if heading I-68 West) proceed through three lights approximately 3.5 miles on Point Marion Rd (also known as 119). Turn right at the winery sign and go two miles, the Winery is on the left.
KIRKWOOD WINERY
Located 3 miles north of Summersville, WV, Kirkwood is part of a community with a rich heritage, and is happy to be the first vineyard in the area. Since 1984, Rodney Facemire has been lovinly cultivating Kirkwood's vineyard, which has also stretched to include several acres of berries and even rhubarb! The old family oak press featured on their label has been used since trial production first began almost two decades ago. Harvests from these fields now yield over 4,000 gallons of wine annually from which more than 30 different varieties of French Hybrid American varietal, mead, vegetable and other fruit wines are produced
Some of the wines you'll find at Kirkwood are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Foch, Chianti, Royal Blush, Riesling, Native Niagara, Ray of Gold, Chardonnay, Winesap (one of their apple wines), Mountain Blueberry, Wild Elderberry, Golden Peach, Red Currant, Royal Blush Mead, and Swiss Chard Rhubarb. And if you have a taste for something truly different, try one of their specialty wines. There are four in all, Ripple Blush, Grapple, The Concord Stomp, and only in West Virginia will you find Appalachian Ramp Wine!
Directions from Charleston:
Take I-79 north to US-19 (Summersville exit 57). Take US-19 south to Summersville West Virginia. At Summersville, turn left on Phillips Run Road and follow the signs to the Winery.
Directions from Morgantown:
Take I-79 south to US-19 (Summersville exit 57). Take US-19 south to Summersville West Virginia. At Summersville, turn left on Phillips Run Road and follow the signs to the Winery.
Directions from Beckley:
Take I-77 north to US-19. Take US-19 north to Summersville West Virginia. At Summersville, turn right on Phillips Run Road and follow the signs to the Winery.
Visit them for their Wine Grape Stomping Festival the third weekend of September each year! Not only will you find great wines, but also lots of activities which help preserve the Appalachian history and culture. Plus, you'll get to enjoy the art and music of many talented West Virginians.
POTOMAC HIGHLAND WINERY
Charles and Rebecca Whitehill are the owners and began planting grapes in 1979. They boast to be the only growers of both vinifera and French hybrid in West Virginia. Nine varieties of wine are produced on their three acres of vineyard.
When you visit them, you can plan on tours and tastings, as well as wines, grapes, and juice for sale. You will also find specialty wine baskets and even special occasion labels.
They have won several awards, including Oct. 1997 West Virginia Competition (Four first place medals, Two second place medals, and One third place medal), Four-State Competition, Mid-Atlantic Wine & Food Festival, and Wine on the Beach Festival.
The types of wine they produce are Chardonnay, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Aurore, Pinot Noir, Chambourein, Chancellor, Meritage, Seyval Blush, Carbonated Blush, and "Fermented in this Bottle" Brut.
You will find them at RR 6, Box 6980, Keyser, WV 26726.
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