Feb 7, 2009

Hand-Crafted Wines Make SplashBy Beth SaineLincolnTribune.com

Lincolnton – If someone had told you five years ago that a successful hand-crafted winery was in downtown Lincolnton, most people would have looked at you as if you were from outer space. Today, there is a much different expectation in downtown Lincolnton. Ever since Southern Charm Winery opened their doors in May last year at 235-D East Main Street, the doors have hardly had a rest as people from all around flock to sample and buy wines of all kinds.

The retail store is a great place to purchase their wines and gift baskets. There is a good selection of hand-craft traditional wines, such as Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir as well as sweet wines including Blackberry and Strawberry.

At Southern Charm, they hand-craft their wine in small batches ensures quality and consistency as well as resulting lower sulfites and preservatives in the wine. Sulfites and preservatives are the leading culprits in “wine headaches”.

Owners Kim and Kirk Leonard, along with co-owners Carolyn and Dwight Ramseur, believe that hand-crafted is always better than machine produced. With hand-crafted products, you receive better value and a better made product. Plus, as Kim Leonard admits when marketing the store’s wine: “You’ve got the personal touch that goes with hand-crafting.”

If you are not yet familiar with Southern Charm Winery & Gift Shop, you will be glad to know that wine tastings are available during regular business hours – no appointment necessary. Private wine tastings are also available upon request. With 20 varietals to choose from, you are sure to find a wine to please even the most finicky of palettes.

In the Gift Shop, they keep an assortment of Gift Baskets – perfect for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries and birthdays. The shop also has Ashe County Cheese, Moravian cookies, Mingo River pecans and Ghiradelli and Lindt chocolates. Local artists, such as Kimbrell Frazier, Hal Dedmon, Corine Guseman, Carolyn Williams, Katie Wood McCloy, Max Schronce and Renee’ Clemmons have their work available as well.

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