Mountain Brook Vineyard encompasses 75 acres nestled right in the heart of the "isothermal belt" in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The first grapes were planted at Mountain Brook in 2002 and the winery was established in 2012. Vickie and Jonathan Redgrave acquired the winery in 2018 and immediately began expanding and modernizing the facility and vineyard. With nearly 50 acres under vine across three properties within the Tryon Foothills, Mountain Brook Vineyards cascades over 75 acres of vines, forests, and Mill Creek and resides on the isothermal belt, which allows for a longer and more pronounced growing season.
Winemaker Dave Coventry joined the Mountain Brook team earlier this year. A Monterey, California, native, he has dedicated his career to producing some of the finest wines available. He has worked at some of the most famed, award-winning wineries in California, including Chalone Vineyards, Morgan, and Talbott. Known as a premier winemaker for consistently making 90+ point wines, Dave’s winemaking philosophy puts the vineyards first, maximizing vineyard expression. “It takes great vineyards to make great wine.” He believes the winemaker skills and tools he’s acquired are important. However, he largely considers himself a custodian of flavor and translator of the vineyard. We are thrilled to welcome him to Craft’d!
We will sample:
Mountain Brook Vineyards Chardonnay 2021, American — Aromas of Golden Delicious apples, hints of vanilla, brioche and hard spices make this Chardonnay intriguing on the nose. Luscious mouth-feel and generous flavors of Bosc pear, tangerine, mango and crisp citrus flavors on the palate. There are hints of French oak nestled into the fruit flavors that carry through on the finish with balanced acidity and echoes of lemon zest.
Mountain Brook Vineyards Merlot 2020, North Carolina — Fruit is harvested from the winery’s Red Bell Run Vineyard. Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, and plums that rise out of the glass with a gentle swirl and a little air. On the palate, this story continues with flavors of Bing cherry, hints of cedar, and a subtle vanilla smokiness. A perennial favorite at MBV, this is an Old World rendering of this classic varietal.
Mountain Brook Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, North Carolina — This is an absolutely classic and highly detailed rendition of Cabernet Sauvignon with aromas of plum, black pepper, graphite, and a hint of dark chocolate. On the palate, flavors of plum, black cherry, and blueberry are balanced by generous but balanced acidity, leading to a long, clean finish. This wine is an ode to its Old World brethren in Bordeaux.
We will ALSO be joined once again by NC Wine Influencer Delayne Martin, who is on a mission to visit all 160+ wineries in North Carolina. You can find tales of her visits on her blog, Winey Friends:
https://www.instagram.com/2wineyfriends/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094541328707
See you Friday!