The Winery at Iron Gate Farm

Yesterday our travels took us to Alamance County by way of NC highways 87 through rustic Caswell County and then south on highway 119. It was a bit of visual treat considering the warm blend of rough hewn Victorian homes and full renovations along the way. Many of the homes on the route were quite striking.

Our first destination was The Winery at Iron Gate Farm tucked a few miles outside of Mebane, NC a small and interesting town.

When we arrived, we discovered a very large outdoor area for events, live music, plays and just great for relaxing. Outdoor heaters did not seem to be present, but on a nice sunny day the outdoor area would be exceptional.

The winery itself is not large, but don’t let the size fool you. One look inside the front door to the guest area offers a warm, inviting entry that blends well with the whole feel of the place.
 The tasting area is a combination gift shop filled with the work of local craftsmen and artists. There is much to choose from with regard to wine accessories including Iron Gate products, a bar section, artwork that reflects the area’s tobacco heritage and character. It would be an easy mistake to say that Iron Gate is just a pup in the state’s new winemaking industry. By counting the number of its grape harvests, Iron Gate may indeed be a young business, but it clearly shows a maturity of management and purpose.

As we introduced ourselves we requested a tasting; and were surprised to discover that we would be tasting 13 different wines. All for $5.00. For a small winery to have so many varieties was a pleasant surprise. I will not bore you with my opinion of the wines since as we know all tastes are different, but I did find each and every one very acceptable for my pallet.

The young woman behind the counter, a former special education teacher, took us through each wine providing us with an incredible amount of information and details about the wine, the winery, and the area. A true asset to any business is a well informed and courteous employee.

Iron Gate is open seven days a week, has a variety of events scheduled from murder mystery plays to an all-girls’ night out. It has been in operation since the early 2000’s, converted from a family tobacco farm by the Stikeleathers. Debbie Stikeleather is both the company president, and winemaker; having graduated from the Surry Community College viniculture program and then interning at other wineries. She now has created her own nirvana for the wine enthusiast.
The Stikeleathers dedication to the business can be seen in the fact that all the wines are labeled, bottled, and corked there by hand. It’s a personal touch also evident in their work for various non-profit agencies. Iron Gate has twice bottled to help support a regional animal conservation center and cancer events in the area. Given its charm, hospitality, fine products and atmosphere, Iron Gate is more than just a place to stop as you drive about our fine state, it’s a must if you are passing near Mebane.
The Winery at Iron Gate Farm
2540 Lynch Store Road, Mebane.
Hours are 10-7. Mondays through Fridays, 10-6 Saturdays and 1-6. Sundays.
Contact them at (919) 304-9463 or http://www.irongatevineyards.com/

Directions from I-40/I-85:
From I-40/I-85 in either direction take exit 153 (Hwy 119N).
Follow Hwy 119 N. / Fifth Street into Mebane. Cross the railroad tracks, continue north on Fifth Street and turn left at the stop sign onto Stagecoach Road. Go one block to the stoplight, turn right onto First Street/Hwy 119 N. Follow Hwy 119 N. approx. 2.5 miles, turn right onto Lynch Store Road, The Winery is the 3rd driveway on the left.
For those of you deciding to take a back roads route we recommend ours by way of Guilford and Caswell County. Heading east on Hwy 150 to Hwy 87 then a bit of a jog to Kerr’s Chapel Rd. (State Rd 1100)
Take a left on Union Ridge Rd for a very short bit, then south on Hwy 62 for only a few feet. Make a left on State Rd 1001, and then finally head south on Hwy 119.
Fortunately, a sign posted on the rear of the property alerted us that we were near. Otherwise we may have missed the left on Lynch Store Rd. Of course, those of you who rely on GPS systems will have no difficulty. But for the Weekend Winers, the journey (i.e. getting lost) is as much a part of the experience as the destination, so we leave ours turned off.