Garden Gate Vineyards

 The phrases “mom and pop” and “down home feel” may not be terms some would prefer used when describing their winery. After all, aren’t wineries all about swirling, sniffing and sophistication? Well, maybe for some, but for Bob and Sonya Whitaker, it is about a down home feel for their mom and pop winery, Garden Gate Vineyards, http://gardengatevineyards.net/index.html

For them, anything more would actually be less. Bob, a former engineer for a power company and Sonya, a professional potter, decided back in 2003 to combine her passion for pottery

and Bob’s hobby of winemaking into a retirement business venture that reflected their idea of what retirement should be; fun.

The day we dropped by both of the Whitakers were working at the winery. Come to find out that you will always find them both there, unless it is after hours and they have gone to gather the grandchildren for their other retirement fun.

All of their tastings are free, logo glass is $3.00 and you are welcome to bring a picnic lunch and sit outside on one of the beautiful patios,

or out back by the pool.

 

Or if you prefer, there is a cozy, put your feet up feel to the inside decorated with Sonya’s pottery. The Whitakers have also started to offer mix wine drinks made right on the premises.

As we have heard in many a winery, planting a vineyard and making wine is hard word. The Whitaker’s feel they certainly get back everything they put into their venture. Their business plan revolves around the idea that every customer should come in, sit down, relax and enjoy good company and wine. The tasting bar offers stools, not something we find at every tasting. As with everything else, the Whitakers pointed out that they want people to sit and enjoy. Standing should not be the only option when tasting. Their wines are home style, fruit, sweet and semi sweet, and are only sold at the winery. That is exactly the way they want to keep it, just like when Bob made wine for friends and Sonya gave pottery as gifts. Garden Gate advertises that no pesticides are used on their grapes. They have no employees and do not plan on hiring any; it is all about being focused on the customers and the fascinating people that they meet. Bob reminded us that when they opened their winery in 2003, they became the 16th one that existed in NC. Today there are 96 wineries, almost an average of one a month since 2003.

Did we mention they were friendly and want customers to treat their place like home? Well even though the winery hours are Wed.-Sat. 12pm-5pm, if you give them a call and tell them you want to come by, more than likely they will open just for you. The logo for the winery and found in much of Sonya’s pottery is the dragonfly. Sonya shared that a dragonfly means “good luck. We encourage you to drop by or call to meet these great folks. Do us and yourself a favor. When you sit down for a tasting be sure and look up. We will not give everything away just take our word that you will be pleasantly surprised.

To see our complete Garden Gate Vineyards Photo Album visit one of our Facebook pages Byway and Vine or The Weekend Winers.

Garden Gate Vineyards
261 Scenic Drive
Mocksville, NC 27028
336-751-3794
gardengate@yadtel.net

Hours of Operation
Wed.-Sat. 12pm-5pm
Any other day by appointment

Bywayandvine Route: Well I am afraid we may disappoint some of you on this trip that enjoy taking the back roads we followed Garden Gates directions. From I-40 take Exit 168. Go left on Highway 64 toward Mocksville, North Carolina. Go .2 miles and take a right on Green Hill Road. Go 1.5 miles and take a left on County Home Road. Go .6 miles. Turn right on Scenic Drive.

Our return trip we choose Hwy158 NE which took longer but certainly more enjoyable. From Garden Gate; right off of Scenic Dr to County Home Rd, right to stay on Sanford Ave. then left onto W. Lexington Rd. which will lead you to US158E/Clemmons Rd.