Vineyard Views - Yadkin Valley

Vineyard Views - Yadkin Valley


In late May to early June I had the opportunity to seek out a great wine country landscape view for a July edition of the Winston Salem Monthly Magazine. Within 35 minutes of Winston-Salem is a string of wineries offering beautiful views and wine tasting rooms outfitted from former horse stables and vintage homes. On a Sunday afternoon Shanti and I headed north on Highway 421 straight to the heart of Yadkin Valley seeking out some great vistas. The sun was already fairly low in the sky at about 6:30pm and the tasting rooms had long been closed, so being picky was not an option if I did not want to have to make a return visit.


Our first stop was at RagApple Lassie Vineyards which probably offered one of the most picturesque opportunities to net my shot. I wasted no time pulling the car over on the sides of country roads and was even treated to some horn blowing by the locals. I cannot imagine what I looked like with the camera strap around my neck acting like a panicked paparazzi. My first thought is that I was more than likely some lost tourist stopping off the side of the road for a photo op. Surely enough, a photo op I had with the great skies and views of Pilot Mountain.


Little did I know, but I did not have to go much further than RagApple Lassie. One of my best shots selected for the magazine came from this particular vineyard. The view of the winery offers winding rows of grapes with a dusk view of Pilot Mountain far in the distance. The images was taken from the same vantage point as the one just above, but inclusive of the rows of grapes and recently tilled soil. Regardless, Shanti and I scurried along from vineyard to vineyard until the sun offered little light or little hope of another print worthy view. Overall, we visited four vineyards in a one hour stretch. Getting lost proved to add a little humor to the stress of having to get "that one shot." All is well that ends well and surely enough I will have something to smile about when the July edition lands in my mailbox. I sure wish I could have all of these images put to print, but alas only one lucky one gets the honor. The others are here for your enjoyment. Wine anyone? Cheers. Come visit Yadkin Valley sometime. You will not be disappointed.


For the ride home I elected to sit in the passenger's seat with Shanti at the wheel. The vantage point offered a unique glimpse of a moon rising and sun setting.