We enjoyed our afternoon at Iron Gate. We sampled 12 wines which were fairly good for North Carolina. Think they are doing a great job. Wish we would have had more time to spend. They have a nice outside area where we were invited to return and bring lunch to have a picnic. Would definately return.
I recently had a tasting here and it was very enjoyable. They have a variety of wines so there should be one that suits anybody. They have several that part of the proceeds go to either lungcancer research or the Conservators Center Wildlife refuge in Mebane.
crisp and delcious apple wine and flue wines, weak-flavored blackberry wine, many award winning wines
If you're a fan of white wine with a taste for the sweeter wines, this winery is for you. Located on NC Hwy 119 North about one mile North of Mebane. They have a large tasting area, great for large groups and parties. The pour on the tastings are a bit stingy. They grow most of their own grapes on site. I prefer reds, and their reds aren't very good. They have an excellent outdoor seating area, some of it under roof where you can have a relaxing glass with friends, or even a picnic. Live music on Sundays in the outdoor area during the summer is common. It's worth a trip.
A few weeks ago, Tom and I were in Mebane N.C. visiting our daughter.One afternoon we went to visit Iron Gate Farm which is only a few miles from her home. Iron Gate is one of four wineries on the Haw River wine road. As an aside to this review, we would also recommend the Benjamin Winery.....very good!!!We thoroughly enjoyed the wine tasting.and the background of the farm. It was purchased by a vinter and her husband about 10 years ago and turned into a winery from a working farm.. Some of the wines were a bit sweet for our tasted, made with musccadine grapes. Others, such as the Carolina Gold were very good. As we all know, one's taste in wines is purely subjective. Tom and I have a mixed marriage. He prefers reds. I prefer whites.The girl giving us the tasting mentioned that on Sunday afternoons people can bring a picnic lunch, buy a bottle of wine and listen to three hours of music put on by local muscians. Sunday turned out to be warm and sunny, a perfect day for a picnic. Our salads with Balsamic dressing was a perfect accompaniment to the Carolina Gold wine. By the way, the music was great, all and all a wonderful afternoon.The next time we are in N.C. for a visit we will certainly spend another Sunday afternoon enjoying Iron Gate Farm.
Enjoyed the tasting at the Winery at Iron Gate Farm. There were many reds and whites to sample and a few fruit wines also. Very pleasant surroundings, nice conversation and casual music.
To preface my remarks, one of our favorite pastimes is to visit various wineries and fine-dining establishments throughout North Carolina. On many an occasion, we've found that some of the best of each can be found in some of the small towns that pepper the countryside. Of the current (as of this writing) 117 wineries that are operational in this great state, we've managed to visit 44 of them so far. I doubt if we can ever catch up though because approximately 4-5 new wineries are coming on line every 3 months.One of the smaller, yet rustic/quaint wineries that we've visited is the Iron Gate Vineyards in Mebane, NC. When you first arrive, you are greeted with a rustic, quaint winery building - very country-like, yet boasting a contemporary and very warm interior. As I've always said in my previous reviews, for those folks who regularly make it a habit of seeking out various wineries, for most - the experience involves 3 phases: 1) anticipation of what is to come, and...2) The ambiance of the environment - buildings, scenery, and general atmosphere, and... 3) of course, the taste and complexity of the wines offered at that locale.Since our first visit to this winery, we were impressed - not only with the warm atmosphere of the locale, but also the superb offerings of traditional reds and whites, along with the likes of the American/French influence such as their gorgeous Chambourcin's. In fact, the first time we visited, we purchased 3 cases of various wines - and that's not something we do often (at any winery, save perhaps for a few locations). The wine tasting area is an intimate setting, along with a little gift shop that sells knick-knacks and wine-related items. The folks doing the wine tasting are exceptionally pleasant - very disarming with their country warmth and willing to please. As a result, we've been back 3 times since - especially since it's only an hour's drive from where we live just south of Raleigh, NC.In addition, the Winery at Iron Gate hosts a variety of activities throughout the year to include local musical events, dinners, etc. They have a lovely pond area where you can just relax and get your thoughts together.All in all, the Winery at Iron Gate in Mebane is one of the better smaller wineries - but make no mistake about it, their charm, ambiance, and quality of wines combine to make for a pleasant experience. We enjoyed ourselves and that reminds me that soon it will be time to head back and pick up some more wine.I've uploaded a variety of photos taken of the winery, interior, and pond area, which should give you a good ideas as to how everything looks.
This is a great winery. The product is excellent and the owners are very nice and friendly.We have purchased wine at the winery and at the grocery store many times.Every so often, they have wine tasting parties with live music. Lots of fun and excellent wine.
The majority of the wine produced here is estate wine. In other words, they make wine from grapes they grow onsite. If you've ever had east coast wine then you know what to expect. Niagara, Muscadine, and sweet sweet sweet. But happily they have a few classic varietals like Merlot and Cab that are decent. So the wine are mediocre at best. But the tasting room is awesome. They have multiple outdoor seating areas with heating, pergolas, a screened-in area, a bandstand, etc. Very very nicely done. This is a great place to relax and to drink a few glasses of OK wine.
Iron Gate Winery offers a nice variety of red and white wines - usually 4 or 5 of each. Several have won state, regional and/or national awards. There is a lovely outdoor cafe where you can hear music many evenings and weekend afternoons in good weather. The prices are reasonable, but no bargain; you'll pay the same price ($10-$13 a bottle) in NC wine stores and markets. Part of the Haw River Wine Trail, it's a nice way to spend an afternoon sipping and listening to tunes.