A taste of luxury

The Winery at Iron Gate Farm

Photos courtesy of my lovely and talented roomie Ashley Barnas

This weekend I got to cover the most fun piece I have worked on since starting with the Pendulum! Ashley and I traveled to Mebane, NC to check out a new local winery and we had a total blast! Though it turned out to be an expensive piece (we both bought wine) we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. You know life is rough when your job tells you to go to a wine tasting at a gorgeous scenic vineyard. Here is the story:

Iron Gate winery uncorks local tastes
by Laura Wainman, October 6, 2009
Pour. Swirl. Sniff. Sip. These four words are instructions given daily at The Winery at Iron Gate Farm in wine tastings held throughout the day.

Though Elon is home to an abundant number of student activities, sometimes a short escape from the bubble is a necessity.  For students who are looking for a taste of the adult world, this little known treasure, located right down the road in Mebane, provides just that.

At Iron Gate Farm, students of age have the opportunity to taste 14 of the wines grown at the farm for $5 and to take a tour of the vineyard. Drinking does not have to be on the agenda, though, as many visitors to Iron Gate come simply to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Picnics by the lake or conversations on the front porch are popular options.

"We don't typically see an unusually large number of college students visit Iron Gate, except during Family Weekends at the local schools," owner Debbie Stikeleather said. "Then we get parents who are looking for a relaxing activity they can share with their son or daughter."

Though college students are not Iron Gate's typical clientele, the winery hosts many events Stikeleather said she believes would appeal to students.

"I think college students would love our annual ‘Pumpkin Chunkin and Cornhole Tournament' since it is interactive and seems right up their alley," Stikeleather said.

At the tournament held Oct. 31, the participants, who must be 21 to enter, will use a catapult to "chunk" pumpkins toward a target and bottles of wine will be given as prizes for those whose pumpkins hit the Bull's Eye, get the closest to the target or send their pumpkins the farthest distance. A cornhole tournament will also be held for the first time this year. The proceeds will benefit The Women's Resource Center.

The winery will be highlighting its new Conservators' Collection wines from 7-10 p.m. this Saturday at their Wine in the Wild event. Visitors can enjoy an evening filled with award-winning wine and food, excellent company, live music and a great cause as a portion of every bottle bought goes to the North Carolina Conservators' Center.

Stikeleather also created a private label wine collection to benefit the North Carolina Lung Cancer Partnership, as she lost both her stepfather and aunt to lung cancer.

"I wanted to do something to help a cause that was personal to me, and this felt like the right thing to do," Stikeleather said.

Keeping the farm a pillar of the community has always been important to Stikeleather, which is why she has chosen to partner with several local organizations, including N.C. State University.

Students and faculty from the agriculture departments come twice a month to test the grapes and ensure everything is on track at the farm. Local artist Kenny Glenn designs all the wine labels, which was another way for Stikeleather to support the community that has given so much to her.

Two of Stikeleather's wines that are showcased in the wine tasting were designed specifically for her neighbors. The Pack House Red was created with the locals in mind because it goes well with anything, particularly bold, grilled foods. Stikeleather's best-selling wine, Flue Fire, was intended to appeal to her neighbors, who made their wine as the description boasts "tastes like the grapes you plucked from your grandma's vine."

The front porch of Iron Gate has become a popular hangout spot for visitors and neighbors alike, which Stikeleather said is exactly the way she wanted it.

"We have a real community atmosphere and my neighbors are always visiting me and my guests," Stikeleather said. "When we have big events coming up, my neighbors offer to help set up. So they are always welcome at any of our events, which is why we don't charge them an entrance fee. They are absolutely great."