By Susan Shinn
sshinn@salisburypost.com
LEXINGTON ó Winemaker Mark Friszolowski predicts another good year for Childress Vineyards.
Friszolowski led a wine tasting of nearly a dozen 2006 varietals of red wines made at the winery, the third year of production.
The wines should be released sometime in September, when the current vintage is sold out, according to Kathleen Watson, director of marketing and public relations.
So Monday night was a sneak peak for some two dozen area wine distributors and retailers.
As the group arrived, they were treated to a class of Pinnacle wine, the winery’s light red blend.
Friszolowski noted beforehand that North Carolina is a unique winemaking region, different from any other area.
“We’re just looking to make reds that are varietally correct for this region,” he said.
The fall harvest, he said, was “surprisingly good.”
Winemaking is a constant evaluation from season to season of what works and what doesn’t.
Friszolowski still buys some grapes from local growers, although 80 percent of the grapes made into Childress wines come from its own vineyards.
He expects the percentage to remain that way.
“If there’s somebody out there who has good grapes, why wouldn’t I want to buy them?” Friszolowski asked.
He also makes wines for two other growers, called a custom crush program.
Friszolowski said he feels good about sales for 2009.
“I think we’re gonna be fine,” he said. “Our philosophy is to stay where we’re at.”
He also said that the winery is in its infancy.
Downstairs, guests gathered in the barrel room ó decorated with white lights, candles and snowflakes ó for the tasting, complete with hors d’oeuvres by Chef David Thomas.
The tasting featured three levels of wines ó four barrel select wines priced at $16.99 per bottle; four reserve wines priced at $24.99 per bottle; and three signature reds priced at $49.99 per bottle.
The barrel select and reserve wines each offer syrah, merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon varieties. The three signature wines are merlot, cabernet sauvignon and meritage.
All of the wines tasted were award winners.
The barrel select Cabernet Franc, in particular, received best of show, best red vinifera and double gold at the 2008 N.C. State Fair. It received gold in the Wines of the South competition and silver at the Mid-Atlantic Wine Competition.
Friszolowski noted that the winery uses French Oak barrels, and grapes from North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley.
Not only are wines listed by varietal content or blends, but by where the grapes are grown, which is called an appellation.
Friszolowski said that the Cabernet Franc may be becoming the signature wine for the Yadkin Valley region.
The grapes grow vigorously in this area, he said.
The reserve wines are a testament to how the winery has taken its wines to the next level, Friszolowski said. “We’re been true to our philosophy. At no time will we label more than 5 percent of our wines as reserve.”
Friszolowski again acknowledged that the wine industry in North Carolina is still in its beginning.
“By all standards, these wines are babies,” he said. “We’re trying to prove to the consumer that you can get a good bottle of wine in your own backyard.”
Friszolowski added that with the reserves, “it shows where we can go. We’re got to be very patient. Winemaking is the ultimate in patience.”
In discussing varietal content, Friszolowski explained that the petit verdot grapes were present in the many of the reds.
“It’s unique in color,” he said. “It gives elegance to the wine.”
Friszolowski said that the signature wines would still be drinkable within 15 years in a controlled environment.
“We want to prove that wines will get better with age,” he said. “That’s what Richard is trying to accomplish here at Childress Vineyards.”
The signatures, he said, would be at their peak in the next several years, he said. He also said that North Carolina wines should continue to develop their potential.
“In North Carolina, we’re trying to develop what we do best here,” he said. “We’re trying to do everything well.”
The winery’s release of 2006 white wines is set for April.