ALBEMARLE — For the 13th year, North Carolina’s local wine industry will be celebrated at the annual Stanly County Winter Wine Festival with the help of the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation.
After a COVID-induced hiatus in 2021, the festival returns for its third consecutive year as a one-stop-shop for oenophiles to sample the area’s finest wines.
The festival is set for Saturday, Feb. 24 from noon until 5 p.m. Admission is $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the festival.
Tickets are available in advance at Glory Beans Coffee House, Livi Bug’s Boutique, Make It Personal, Whiskey Eunoia, or McRae Jewelers in Norwood, as well as online at stanlycountywinterwinefest.com. Guests must be 21+ to attend.
“This event has outgrown the former location at Market Station,” Albemarle Downtown announced in a social media post on Feb. 2. “The festival is moving up Main Street to the heart of downtown Albemarle on First and Second Streets. Several participating downtown businesses will host wine vendors, allowing guests plentiful space to gather and enjoy the festival.”
The festival has typically attracted some 1,500 people over the past few years.
Each guest will receive a tasting glass, an armband for admission, and 25 tokens to use for wine samples. The tokens are required to comply with the state’s ABC regulations and all samples must be consumed before leaving each vendor area.
Participating vineyards will be selling bottled wine, and guests can utilize the Downtown Albemarle Social District to enjoy their adult beverages throughout downtown.
“Enjoy an unforgettable experience with an afternoon of shopping, dining, wine tasting, wine-related crafts, and entertainment by DJ Dean,” the ADDC’s official announcement continued. “This event is rain or shine. Information on check-in locations, festival map, and other details will be coming soon. We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 Stanly County Winter Wine Festival.”
In the past, the festival has routinely featured a dozen vineyards from across Stanly and neighboring counties — such as Dennis Vineyards, Stony Mountain Vineyards and Cabo Winery in Concord — and has also hosted food trucks like What-A-Burger, Higgins and Sons BBQ, Hilltop Seafood, and On-Time Snacks.
The vineyards, vendors and dining options available for this year’s festival will be announced in the coming weeks.