Wine Portfolio
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Seaside FARMING

location

Sanctuary Vineyards is located on a quaint seaside farm where you are likely to see rows of corn competing with Cabernet and migratory snow geese nesting among the Sangiovese. Ten acres of grapes are nestled among hundreds of acres of farmland and wildlife impoundments that we like to call "The Sanctuary." Varieties include: Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Norton and the classic Muscadine.

Our vineyards come alive in the spring, and produce foliage, flowers and most importantly, fruit, as the season progresses. At the peak of ripeness, we pick our grapes by hand. Depending on type of grape and style of wine, we may ferment the wine slowly on the skins, or quickly extract the juice for a fresh and fruity style. Following fermentation, the wines are transferred to oak barrels, where they develop added complexity through years of careful storage. Once bottled, our wines are stored in cold cellars until they find their way to your glass.

Every year is a different story here at Sanctuary – tales of fierce winter snow and nor’easters, starry summer nights and fierce hurricanes, all reminding us of our small but significant place as stewards of this coastal gem. Come be a part of our new wine tradition – it’s a story in the making.

north block

Our North Block features two acres of Norton and Sangiovese grapes, planted in the spring of 2002. The Norton (also known as Cynthiana) is a native American red grape. It has a tendency toward vigorous growth and is planted on a divided canopy system. The Sangiovese is a classic Italian red grape and is a component of Chianti and other traditional Italian reds. The Sangiovese prospers in hot conditions, and we believe it can produce good fruit during long, humid Currituck summers. These grapes ripen in the intense heat of the Outer Banks summer, tempered by cooling breezes from the nearby Atlantic. The ancient sand dunes where they stand offer excellent drainage and contribute unique flavor to the ripening fruit. The combination of good earth, sun and sky is what the French would call "terroir." It all translates to good growing here at Sanctuary Vineyards.

south block

Our South Block sits adjacent to the Cotton Gin and is landmarked by a large windmill that towers over the surrounding farmland. Here we have two acres of Traminette and Chardonel grapes planted in rich, sandy soil. Both are French hybrid grapes, consisting of traditional, old world grape varieties crossed with sturdier American vines to create a plant that can thrive in "New World" growing conditions. The Traminette is based on Gewurtztraminer, a white grape planted widely in the Rhine region of Germany, where it produces a wine with crisp acidity but with a distinct sweetness reminiscent of Riesling. The Chardonel is bred from Chardonnay, and will produce wines with the same varietal character and rich fruit flavors.

GRAPE to GLASS
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Our vineyards come alive in the spring, and produce foliage, flowers and most importantly, fruit, as the season progresses. At the peak of ripeness, we pick our grapes by hand. Depending on type of grape and style of wine, we may ferment the wine slowly on the skins, or quickly extract the juice for a fresh and fruity style. Following fermentation, the wines are transferred to oak barrels, where they develop added complexity through years of careful storage. Once bottled, our wines are stored in cold cellars until they find their way to your glass.

Every year is a different story here at Sanctuary – tales of fierce winter snow and nor’easters, starry summer nights and fierce hurricanes, all reminding us of our small but significant place as stewards of this coastal gem. Come be a part of our new wine tradition – it’s a story in the making.

Our CRÚ
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Dedication to a DREAM

Features

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Triangle Around Town, Screw It Wine
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Outer Banks Restaurant Guide
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Outer Banks Visitor’s Guide
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