Burntshirt Vineyards occupies a unique position with two vineyards totaling 30 acres that are situated on both sides of the Eastern Continental Divide on the Crest of the Blue Ridge – some of highest elevations on the East Coast.
The first vineyard was planted in 2009 in this magical area of the Blue Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains with a combination of 14 European varieties and French-American hybrids. Long sunny days and cool nights coupled with sandy loam and rocky soils allow numerous grape varieties to thrive at this altitude. Early testament to that fact was that Burntshirt Vineyards was awarded top medals in the 2012 International Women’s Wine Competition for our Grüner Veltliner, an Austrian varietal rarely grown in the United States, and our Merlot, which medaled in a category with wineries from such noted wine regions as Napa, Sonoma and Washington State.
Located at 3,400 feet above sea level, the vineyard at Burntshirt Mountain in Gerton, NC, is the higher of the two plots. The 8.5 acres planted at this dramatic setting are surrounded by mountains which block strong north winds. Little Pisgah Mountain is to the north while Bearwallow and Little Bearwallow are to the south and Chimney Rock to the east. A natural spring feeds a pond near the vineyard and exceptional flora and fauna including wild turkey, bear, deer, bobcats, coyotes and amphibians also occupy the land. At 2,200 feet are the remaining 21.5 acres of vineyards on Sugarloaf Road vineyard in Hendersonville, NC. This former apple orchard is home now to north-south facing vines which allow maximum daytime sunlight.
Our grape growing practices are innovative and responsible. We limit the yield resulting in higher quality.
