Burntshirt Vineyards' Eric Case wins NC Winegrower of the Year!
Eric Case of Burntshirt Vineyards became the first winegrower in the Western Mountains of North Carolina to be honored with the Wine Grower of Excellence Award during the 2018 banquet of the North Carolina Winegrowers Association (NCWA) annual conference on Feb 1. Vineyard Manager Eric Case accepted the award with Derek Pross - GM/Winemaker - in attendance.
UNC Assistant Professor Dr. Mark Hoffman presented the award in recognition of Eric’s leadership and dedication to North Carolina’s grape growing and wine industry. Dr. Hoffman commented that Eric Case has one of the most meticulously cared for vineyards he has seen in the state. He added that Eric is teaching others how to grow wine and goes out of his way to help the extension service.
Winning a winegrower of the year award is a high honor for Burntshirt Vineyards and a win for the new American Viticultural Area of the mountains of Western NC as it enters its final part of the approval process.
Derek Pross stated that linkage between the vineyard and winery cellar is crucial to crafting a high quality wine program. The quality grapes that Eric’s vineyards delivers to the cellar gives the winemaker a strong foundation to build upon and express the terroir utilizing modern methods with minimal intervention.
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The Oates Family’s Burntshirt Vineyards is an award winning winery utilizing 100% estate grown grapes from their two vineyards which are among the highest elevations on the East Coast. Featuring two tasting locations, one in Hendersonville NC offers grounds, tasting room, event spaces for rent and food truck while the Chimney Rock, NC loaction offers a bistro, large deck with stunning views of Chimney Rock State Park. There’s something for everyone.
About NCWA
The North Carolina Winegrower’s Association was formed in 1993, primarily through the efforts of people like Steve Shepard, then at Westbend Vineyards and Earl Mitchell, Professor of Physics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The focus of the group was then, and remains today, the open interchange of information among both professional and amateur winemakers, with a focus on education, research, and professional development. To learn more please visit www.ncwinegrowers.com.
