On August 24, 2007 at 5:00 p.m., city and county officials and more than 50 guests attended the second Ribbon Cutting for New River Wineries (NRW) at the old Lansing School.  The Ribbon Cutting celebration was sponsored by the Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and coordinated by Beth Dixon, Executive Director.  Ms. Dixon introduced Haskell McGuire, President of NRW, who emceed the event.

President McGuire welcomed and thanked the officials for attending, and also thanked the guests for attending, many of whom were shareholders of NRW.  He recognized special guests including Tom Burgiss, owner and Vintner of Thistle Meadow Winery in Laurel Springs, Dr. Grant Holder, Chemistry Professor at Appalachian State University and the officers and Board of Directors of NRW.  In addition, McGuire thanked Dr. Holder and Tom Burgiss, for their support of NRW since its inception.  McGuire expressed appreciation for Dr. Pat Mitchell, Director of Economic Development in Ashe County and Helen Ruth Almond, Dept. of Commerce, Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development; Heritage Development Officer for attending.

President McGuire stated that he was proud of the progress and success of NRW as it has moved into its new facility located in the old library building of the old Lansing School.  He reported that it has only been approximately one year since NRW held its first Ribbon Cutting in a very small facility on Main Street in Lansing.  He noted that the new facility has four times more space allowing for increased production capacity.  This increased production capacity should help meet sales demand from sales outlets.  NRW currently has the following wines available:  Hellbender (red), Back Porch Blueberry, Viognier (white), Bohemia Red, Bohemia White, Lansing School White, Big Laurel Blush,  and its newest release, Seyval, a white wine produced from a French hybrid grape produced in Ashe County (the first commercial wine grape vintage in Ashe County). The grapes for the Seyval come from the vineyard of Amanda Gentry and Paulette Lawrence in Nathan’s Creek.  Wines are currently available in West Jefferson at Bohemia Café, Ashe County Cheese, and Jefferson Landing.

McGuire stated that the new facilities, state of the art equipment, and increased production capacities should allow NRW to increase it distribution to other area establishments and eventually to select vendors across North Carolina.  He said he is also very excited about the plans for NRW to open a gift shop and tasting room in the first floor of the old Lansing School in 2008.  McGuire thanked the NRW Board of Directors and Officers for their vision, commitment, and dedication to ensuring the future success of NRW.  Darlene Massey, Vice President, officially thanked President McGuire for his tireless dedication in overseeing every detail of the renovation.  She said that without President McGuire, the new facility would have not become a reality.

NRW, the first winery to be established and licensed in Ashe County, was founded in 2005 as a Subchapter S Corporation with 28 shareholders and an elected Board of Directors.  A second stock offering in the summer of 2006 added 52 more shareholders, most of who are Ashe County residents or have property or close ties to Ashe County.  Most small wineries are family owned operations, so as a Subchapter S Corporation, NRW is quite unique in that it creates many opportunities.  McGuire states that shareholders and the Board of Directors bring their diverse areas of expertise to the table which allows the winery to benefit from multiple backgrounds and experience.  This diversity and the passion to produce quality wines by the shareholders have contributed significantly to the winery’s early success.  Dr. Dan Strickland, a Vintner with 30 years of experience in the wine business, was the first Chairman of the Board and is the principle winemaker.  Dr. Strickland is credited for the unique quality and special blends of NWR’s wines.

The mission of NRW is to promote agro tourism in Ashe County and to have NRW wines produced from locally grown grapes, berries, and other produce.  McGuire said that as North Carolina now ranks 10^th nationally in grape production and wine production with more than 65 wineries in North Carolina, it is quickly becoming nationally recognized for producing quality wines.  NRW fully intends to enhance N. C.’s reputation for quality wines and focus on production of fine wines.  According to the North Carolina Wine Organization, in 2006, grape value at farm gate in North Carolina was $4.6 million dollars and wine value was estimated at $45 million dollars.  Based on a recent economic impact study, the economic impact of vineyards and wineries in North Carolina is $800 million dollars with 5,600 jobs created.