Shelton Vineyards

Shelton Vineyards, established in 1999 by brothers Ed and Charles Shelton of Charlotte, is one of the premier wine estates in the mid-Atlantic region. The 200-acre vineyard in the northern part of Carolina’s first AVA, Yadkin Valley, is one of the largest single vineyards along the east coast. The vineyard is planted to several grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2005 Kudzu Block Syrah is quite good — rich in color, though not especially dark, but lively and full-bodied, with flavor notes of spicy berries and black pepper. This is Shelton’s best Syrah to date. Early on, the vines proved too vigorous to generate flavor intensity — hence the name Kudzu Block (grew like out-of-control kudzu). In the winter of 2004/2005, the winery pulled out every other vine in the block. Longer cordon pruning now produces more fruit to balance the canopy, and constant hedging and leaf stripping during the growing season have solved the vigor problem. Winemaker Murphy Moore came on board in June of 2005, in time to produce this robust, nicely-stuffed red, a great choice for lamb or beef—and an excellent value.

Reviewed October 24, 2007 by Barbara Ensrud.