McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks

McRitchie’s Ring of Fire Red, “our tribute to the man in black” (Johnny Cash), is a juicy blend of bright fruit, brimming with flavors of black and red currants, hints of blueberry, licorice and black cherry. This lively red is already drinking well, with its youthful fruit, good balance and structure – which might allow it to age with interest, but it is so tasty now, why wait?

Sean McRitchie, who grew up in Oregon’s Willamette Valley where his father Bob McRitchie was a winemaker, won the 2008 North Carolina Winegrower’s Cup for his out-standing contributions to NC winegrowing and viticulture. In his small winery in the northern Yadkin Valley in the little hamlet of Thurmond, McRitchie produces limited quantities of wine in a garage transformed into a winery with a lower level cellar (chai) of oak barrels. McRitchie also makes unoaked and barrel-fermented Chardonnays, Pinot Gris, Merlot, a dry Rosé of Sangiovese, and two hard ciders from local mountain-grown apples, one very dry, one lightly sweet. McRitchie wines have already gained a reputation for style and quality. The winery bears watching.

Reviewed November 30, 2008 by Barbara Ensrud.