Step up to the bar at Christian Paul Vineyards and embark on an international excursion. The tasting menu at this excellent Elkin winery, which opened in November 2023, leads customers through Italy, France, Australia and California using grapes and winemaking techniques representative of each region.
Owners Christian Ercolani and Andrew Weyl had two requirements when looking for a location: excellent soil and proximity to an interstate. They found their perfect location just outside of Elkin with a 25-acre Yadkin Valley property not too far from I-77.
During their initial site visit, Ercolani, a geologist, took soil samples and tested them in his lab. The results confirmed a mineral-rich, 18-inch cap of red clay topsoil, and sandy, silty loam below — an ideal structure for growing grapes in the heart of Yadkin Valley wine country.
“The Yadkin Valley has its own unique terroir,” Weyl says. “You can grow something that also grows in California, but if you grow it here, it will have a Yadkin Valley taste to it.”
Three-and-a-half acres of vineyards, planted in spring 2023, contain Traminette, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Two acres of Montepulciano will be planted in the spring of 2024.
The winery worked with fellow Yadkin Valley winemakers — including Childress, Haze Gray, Jones von Drehle and Stony Knoll — to source grapes and craft its original wine lineup.
The initial wines available in the tasting room are Grenache Rosé, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and a Blanc de Blancs sparkling Chardonnay. Upcoming additions include Petit Verdot and Montepulciano.
Ercolani, who will be the winemaker for future Christian Paul vintages, draws inspiration from his Italian heritage. His family has owned and operated a vineyard in Montepulciano, Italy, for 125 years.
He broadened his wine knowledge and palate working in restaurants to pay his way through college. Ercolani attended graduate school in Australia, which directly influenced Christian Paul’s shiraz, the Australian spelling of syrah.
The tasting room is family- and pet-friendly. It has a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a soft yellow color palette, stone accents, natural wood finishes and exposed rafters. Outdoor areas include both covered and uncovered patios, with a fire table and fire pit overlooking the vineyards.
“It’s about more than the wine; it’s the full experience,” Ercolani says. “We like going into wineries, meeting the owner, and asking, ‘How’d you get here?’ That’s the environment we want to create.”
Christian Paul Vineyards is located at 156 Tuscan Way in Elkin, North Carolina. To learn more, visit ChristianPaulVineyards.com, or call (336) 909-2723.
At the time of opening, Christian Paul became the 18th winery on the Surry County Wine Trail and the 44th winery in the Yadkin Valley wine region.
The newly opened Riversong Cabins, just six miles from the winery, are a great lodging option for visitors to Christian Paul Vineyards and the Surry County Wine Trail.
Related News
-
Aug 20, 2017
Secluded Urban Mountain Bike Trail Debuts in Elkin
The existing four miles are in old growth forests on cliffs above Elkin Creek, a large stream suitable for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. -
Jan 8, 2024
Looking for Destination Dining? Watch Tasty Travels with Travis Frye
Join Travis Frye as he tastes down-home Southern cooking at diners and burger joints in the NC towns of Dobson, Elkin, Mt. Airy and Pilot Mountain. Off the beaten path dining at its best. -
Dec 6, 2019
Woof, Woof — Explore Pet-Friendly Yadkin Valley with Furry Family Members
Visit pet-friendly Surry County in the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina. There are many activities, attractions and accommodations that welcome furry family members, including a pets-only resort hotel & spa! -
Feb 6, 2018
Elkin's Historic Art Deco Theater Gets New Life as Music Venue & Cafe
A new vertical sign harkens back to the theater’s art deco beginnings and pairs well with the original curved, blue panels that were refurbished and reinstalled on the brick exterior.