Chatham Hill Winery

10/31/09

Wonderful Wine, Wonderful People, Lovely Atmosphere!

by 109074 at Citysearch

This unique winery, although at first questionable due to its setting in a business park just off of 40, welcomes you immediately once you enter the door. We were greeted by the owner and told the story of what it means to be an Urban Winery, which is quite common with wineries found in all metropolitan areas - NYCity, Chicago, San Francisco so this concept is not a new one. We took a tour with Chatham Hill's winemaker who was very informative telling us not only about his winery but the beginning of grape growing and winemaking in NC to where it is now -over 80 wineries! Another interesting story is the decision to make traditional wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon but to also all the Sweet Carolina wines to the list. These semi-sweet wines are very good - I was a skeptical at first, being a bold dry red fan, but these wines are very nice in the right place. The Cab Sav was very good - the best I have tasted in NC for certain. The Riesling was also very very good. These folks are doing a great job with their wines and their staff are fun and informative. Definitely worth the trip again and again!

• Pros: Close to all in the RTP, Fun & Informative
• Cons: None

10/30/09

Very disappointing - Cool Aid with Alcohol?

by Carolina Fan at Citysearch

I must admit, I was very excited to have another winery in the area. But my enthusiasm ended when I finally found their place. This "winery" is nothing like your typically winery/vineyard with a beautiful historic building surrounded by a vineyard.

This "winery" is in a brick cookie cutter building in the back of a brick office park. I'm sure that they're saving a great deal of money on rent, but this location would be more suitable for a warehouse. I almost didn't get out of the car when I pulled up.

It doesn't get any better inside. The very limited staff was very slow to respond. They kept us waiting for quite a while, and the person who conducted our tasting was constantly drawn away to handle the phone and other people who came in. The place is significantly understaffed. It's hard to make any wine tasting an unpleasant experience, but that is one area in which they excelled.

Behind the tasting room, I was able to tour the facility. It was the least impressive winery tour I've ever seen. A few steps through the door, turn around and go back. I think that my garage could handle all of their equipment.

The "winery" focuses on the sickly sweet wines that you'd buy at Harris Teeter for $3.99 a bottle. Cherry, Peach, Pomegranite, Raspberry. Pick your favorite flavor. It's like Cool-Aid with alcohol... It's such a disappointment. The worst winery I've ever been to. It reinforces all of the worst sterotypes that you associate with NC wine. You'd be very embarrassed if you took any of your friends or family to this "winery".

I live very close to this winery, but It's worth the drive to go anyplace else.

• Pros: Location, Prices
• Cons: Wine Quality, Atmosphere, Service

07/30/08

The best wine made in North Carolina, hands down!

by bwiley77 at Citysearch

I've been to a lot of wine tasting events in North Carolina, and I have to say Chatham Hill always wins my vote for the best, most consistent wine. Visiting the winery for a tasting is a lot of fun. Every time I go there for a tasting there is always a new wine to try, and the experts there know their stuff and keep things fun.

Even though they are known for their tasty fruit wines, I'm a big fan of their Syrahs and Cabernets. And while I am normally not a big fan of white wines, the Riesling and Viognier wines are really good.

• Pros: Service, selection, atmosphere
• Cons: Semi-hidden, if very close to I-40