Get your wine on

October 31, 2007, 12:00 a.m. EST

By KELLY MURRAY, kelly@bootlegontheweb.com

A great glass of wine and the changing leaves of the mountains provide a breathtaking experience at Victoria Valley Vineyards.

The combination of wine and autumn is like the upscale version of peanut butter and jelly. Simple yet genius.

Fortunately, the Upstate is aware of this irresistible dynamic duo. There are plenty of locations to satisfy those vino cravings and enjoy the season at the same time.

Victoria Valley Vineyards located in Cleveland offers the opportunity not only to drink wine but also to feel like a connoisseur while doing it. Tucked away in the foothills of Table Rock, this vineyard will have you wondering if you have not suddenly transported to Italy or France. Victoria Valley allows its guests to partake in the old tradition of wine tasting without an appointment. Here you can sip, sniff, swish, swizzle, and whatever else those James Bond look-alikes do to determine quality. All of the wines that are tasted are made on-site at the vineyard—an experience not often found in good ol’ South Carolina.

If you really want to impress or just have a great experience, Check out Victoria Valley’s Rock Concert Series. Sip on their varietals while enjoying a meal, music, and the majestic mountains. (Hint, hint: Great date idea, guys.) Make sure to try their 2006 chardonnay. With hints of pear and pineapple, it should definitely be on your list. The vineyard also offers wine dinners in which top-rates chefs prepare a four to six course meal. Each course is then, of course, paired with a wine from Victoria Valley. This event occurs on every third Saturday of the month, and reservations are required.

Northampton Wines and Wine Café, located in downtown Greenville, is a quaint restaurant that has an extensive selection of vino. Open for dinner Monday thru Saturday, choose from a variety of entrees and pair it with a bottle of vino from Northampton’s extensive list. If you’re solely looking for wine, attend the Friday tasting. Along with samples of several different varietals, freshly baked bread and cheese is served as well. A speaker also explains the features of that night’s offering along with the distinction between good, mediocre, and poor quality wine. With that help, you will be speaking the language of a connoisseur in no time. The Northampton store also allows you to return to drink its label at home as well. Half bottles are $5 and whole bottles are $10. The store’s selection can also be purchased during dinner and enjoyed with your meal at the café. Taste the Matchbook Syrah 2004, which is described as dry, rich, and robust. Reservations are required for both dinner and wine tasting.

For more information concerning Victoria Valley Vineyards, visit http://www.victoriavalleyvineyards.com. For Northampton Wines and Wine Café, see http://www.northamptonwines.com. Cheers.

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