Marked Tree Vineyard Flat Rock, North Carolina
Posted by Community Author: Dennis Turner
The tasting room sits at an elevation of 2300’ and built squarely on The Eastern Continental Divide. Offering picturesque mountain views in each direction, with Mount Pisgah to the South and Mount Tryon the North, partners Tim Parks and Lance Hiatt have designed their tasting room to fully accentuate those incredibly gorgeous mountain views.
What is behind the name “Marked Tree Vineyard.” A marked tree is a guide, a system used by Native Americans and early explorers to mark a path.
This passage from the Marked Tree Vineyardwebsite better explains the name and overall vibe ....a marked tree is about finding your path. Marked Tree is a point along the road, a moment to reflect, a marker in life.
The estate spreads fifty acres and blooms with seven acres under vine. Seven varietals are grown, each chosen with full consideration of the Crest of the Blue Ridge growing conditions. The Pisgah Vineyard planted in 2016 consist of Cabernet Franc, and Lemburger in the upper plot, plus Vidal Blanc, Grüner Veltliner, and Chardonel in the lower block. The Northern side Sandy Ridge Vineyard is planted with Muscat, Petit Verdot, a smaller block of Cabernet Franc.
The current tasting consist five whites and one rosé. A Chardonel, Oak Chardonel, Grüner Veltliner, Vidal Blanc, and a sweeter blendOtto, fermented in stainless steel.
Chloe Rosé is 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Lemburger which winemaker Justin Taylor produced in saignée style. We enjoyed a refreshing bottle of the dry Chloe Rosé on our recent visit.
Hummingbird is a Vidal Blanc after dinner wine.
Sweet Ellie Mae Rosé is a soon to be released semi-sweet blend of the Cabernet Franc rosé.
The four red wines are single varietal Cabernet Franc and a Petit Verdot. Blends are Watershed, a dry oaked blend of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot and Ghost House Red, an unoaked blend.
Plans are to plant a third vineyard along the winding drive leading to the tasting room. Tim said they expect to plant Merlot and possibly Petit Manseng.
First bottling was in 2019 and encouraged by their winemaker, the 2018 Vidal Blanc and 2018 Chardonel were entered in the 2020 NC Fine Wines competition. Lance and Tim were thrilled to win two bronze medals with these young wines. No doubt as these vines mature, there’s going to be many gold medals won by Marked Tree Vineyard!
Marked Tree Vineyard is the newest winery in the Crest of the Blue Ridge, Henderson County AVA. However, there is no doubt owners Tim and Lance are firmly rooted. Their vision has transformed this beautiful land into a serene wine destination offering fine wine and post card picturesque views. We encourage you to follow your path to Marked Tree Vineyard.
Marked Tree Vineyard tasting room is open Thursday 11-5, Friday 11-6, Saturday 11-6, Sunday 12-5, and Monday 11-5.
Address is 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, North Carolina.
Tell them Winery Escapades sent you.
