Explore a Country Road:
The 1.4 million acre Yadkin Valley, just west of Winston-Salem North Carolina is wine country with a Southern feel. While the region may still be developing new vineyards, the southern hospitality is well in place. Not only are the numerous small wineries warm and welcoming – the tourist board has taken the peril out of wine touring, by making sure you don’t get lost along the way. “The Wine Trails of the Yadkin Valley” is a newly produced, free CD from Winston-Salem’s Cultural Corridors series. It provides directions and details about each winery.
You can follow along with a road map, or if you are adverse to maps, simply listen to the directions. Its not all dry instructions though – points of interest and historical details about the region’s wines are interspersed with local music selections. For example, did you know that North Carolina once produced more wine than every other state combined? The wine was made from the scuppernong, a variety of muscadine.
Make sure you follow the directions to Westbend Vineyard where you’ll be introduced to some of the regions best wines. If you enjoy that road trip be sure to check out the other Cultural Corridor options.
Immerse yourself and Exhale:
A visit to Winston-Salem can’t and shouldn’t miss historic Old Salem. The Moravians have been in the area since 1753 and emphasized the arts and education.
There are four museums and a variety of gardens at old Salem, and you can easily spend an entire day immersing yourself in the old culture. Wander down the streets and pop into any of the restored buildings that interest you. The village is not a replica, instead you wander through the old Moravian town – seeing it the same way you would have if you visited 100 or more years ago. Each of the buildings is staffed with costumed interpreters who are engaged in the skills of the day – shoe making, woodworking, baking and pottery.
Once you have finished exploring the town save some time for The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). Here you will find the furniture, paintings, textiles, ceramics and metal-wares used in the region, as it developed.
