Our next spotlight winery takes us on a journey through Henderson County with tastings at two gorgeous wineries: Burntshirt Vineyards and Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. We sat down with events manager Jordan Barlow at beautiful Burntshirt Vineyards to talk wine & learn a bit more about their vivacious vineyard.

Tell us about your background:

The Oates family started growing grapes with thoughts of just selling the fruit. Recognizing the promise of the mountain terroir they began to create their own wines and haven’t looked back.  

Burntshirt began growing grapes in 2007. In 2011, we made our first wines from our grapes. We built our commercial winery in 2013 and began making wines that fall up to the present date. We opened a second tasting room and restaurant in Chimney Rock in May 2018. We produce approximately 5,500 cases from our fruit farmed on 32 acres of vineyards. H

Describe your favorite wine the you produce and why:

Gruner Veltliner for the white wine. It is an Austrian/German grape and we grow it at 3400 feet elevation on Burntshirt Mountain. It is unique as we are the only vineyard south of north Pennsylvania growing and producing this wine. Our Reserve Meritage and Cabernet Sauvignon our are favorite reds. 

What makes your vineyard unique?

We create all of our wines from our own grapes. We do not buy grapes. This makes us rather unique as few wineries are designated as an Estate Winery. 

What makes WNC wine/vineyards so unique and special? 

The high elevation and soil profile creates a unique expression of grapes for our wines. We are in the process of being recognized as a unique growing region with an American Viticultural Area  designation.

What can people expect when they tour your vineyard?

The vineyards are meticulously kept. We are known for a welcoming tasting room and are establishing ourself as a destination restaurant in Chimney Rock. Daily at 2 pm we offer a tour of our production facility. 

Want to visit Burnshirt Vineyard with us? Schedule your Hendersonville Wine Tour Today!