Haze Gray Vineyards, which draws its name from the color of U.S. naval ships, opened its winery & tasting room on Dec. 19. Owners Deane and Becky Muhlenberg have long-standing military ties, including Deane’s three-decade career as a Navy flight officer.
The Muhlenbergs relocated to Surry County three years ago from Pennsylvania after finding an 85-acre former corn and tobacco farm just outside the Yadkin Valley town of Dobson. The property features a nine-acre vineyard, a meticulously planned winery and a cozy tasting room with mountain views.
The vineyard is a certified Homegrown by Heroes farm, signifying agricultural products produced by U.S. military veterans. In addition to Deane’s 30 years in the Navy, Becky grew up in an Army family, and their son serves in the U.S. Air Force.
The tasting room’s wall of honor showcases photos of eight generations of Muhlenberg family members in uniform, and veterans can submit photos of themselves in uniform for the wall.
“We want the tasting room to be a gathering place where people share stories,” Becky says. “In the world today, people need to stop and get to know each other.”
Haze Gray is under way with five wines available and more to come. There are three reds, merlot, chambourcin and a blend, along with two whites, chardonnay and traminette.
Deane, winemaker and vineyard manager, had long dreamed of running a farm or vineyard following his military career and has already taken advantage of classes available in viticulture and enology at Surry Community College in Dobson.
“Growing up in the military, your family doesn’t make a fortune, so we always had a garden,” says Becky, recently retired from an IT career. “We liked the idea of doing something with our hands, of having to care for the grapes and the wines.”
Haze Gray becomes the 17th winery on the Surry County Wine Trail.
“One of the most interesting things about the wineries in Surry County is that each one has its own personality,” says Chris Knopf, Surry County manager. “Visitors get to have a different experience at each winery and vineyard.”
The tasting room have a conference available for larger groups and Yadkin Valley corporate retreats. A rental cabin overlooking the vineyard sleeps four.
For more information, go to www.HazeGrayVineyards.com or call (336) 374-1072.
Related News
-
Jun 18, 2022Hungry for History? Highway Marker Leads the Way
The national Hungry for History highway marker program has raised its fork of recognition to Surry County’s signature dessert, sonker. Sonker is a hybrid between a cobbler and a deep-dish pie and has its own food trail. -
Aug 16, 2018Ethan Brown Brings Winemaking Full Circle at Shelton Vineyards
Nearly two decades after they invested heavily in the winemaking program at Surry Community College, Ed and Charlie Shelton hired winemaker Ethan Brown, a graduate of the college’s Shelton-Badgett NC Center for Viticulture and Enology. -
Oct 19, 2023Four Ideas for a Fabulous Date Night (or Day!) in the Yadkin Valley
Looking for a fun, romantic or adventurous date in the Yadkin Valley? Check out this list of the best date nights – or days – in the Surry County towns of Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain. -
Oct 22, 2015Herrera Vineyards Opens in the Heart of the Yadkin Valley
Herrera Vineyards offers a dozen wines crafted by winemaker Kevin Childers, a graduate of the enology and viticulture program at Surry Community College.