Deep Water Vineyard: A Guide to South Carolina's Premier Winery

Deep Water Vineyard is a popular winery located in Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina. This vineyard is a must-visit destination for wine lovers who are looking for a unique experience. Deep Water Vineyard offers a range of wines, meads, and tours that visitors can enjoy.

The winery is situated on a 48-acre farm that is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and lush greenery. Visitors can take a walk around the vineyard and enjoy the scenic views. Deep Water Vineyard also has a tasting room where visitors can sample their wines and meads. The tasting room is open from 10 am to 5 pm, seven days a week. Visitors can also purchase bottles of wine and mead to take home with them.

Overall, Deep Water Vineyard is a great place to visit for wine enthusiasts who are looking for a unique experience. With its beautiful location, delicious wines and meads, and informative tours, visitors are sure to have a memorable time at this winery.

History of Deep Water Vineyard

Deep Water Vineyard is a family-owned winery located on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina. The vineyard was founded in 2002 by the husband and wife team of Andrea and Paul Garbutt. The Garbutts were inspired to start the vineyard after visiting a winery in France and realizing that they could grow grapes in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

The first vines were planted in 2003, and the first harvest took place in 2006. The vineyard originally focused on growing muscadine grapes, a variety that is native to the southeastern United States. Muscadine grapes are known for their thick skins and high sugar content, which make them well-suited for producing sweet wines.

Over the years, Deep Water Vineyard has expanded its offerings to include a variety of wines made from muscadine grapes, as well as other fruits like peaches and blueberries. The winery also produces a range of dry wines, which are made from traditional grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Today, Deep Water Vineyard is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the vineyard, sample the wines in the tasting room, and enjoy live music and other events throughout the year. The vineyard also hosts private events like weddings and corporate retreats.

Location and Climate

Geographical Position

Deep Water Vineyard is located on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, which is part of the Charleston metropolitan area. The vineyard is situated on Bears Bluff Road, which is about 20 miles south of Charleston. The location is easily accessible by car, and visitors can enjoy a scenic drive through the Lowcountry to reach the vineyard.

Climate Influence

The climate of Wadmalaw Island is classified as humid subtropical, which means that the summers are hot and humid, and the winters are mild. The vineyard is located near the coast, which helps to moderate the temperature and humidity. The ocean breezes help to cool the vineyard during the summer, and the proximity to the water helps to prevent frost damage during the winter.

The vineyard's microclimate is also influenced by its location on the island. The vineyard is located in a low-lying area that is surrounded by trees, which helps to protect the vines from wind damage. The soil in the vineyard is composed of sandy loam, which is well-drained and allows the vines to grow deep roots.

Overall, the climate and location of Deep Water Vineyard are ideal for growing grapes and producing high-quality wine. The vineyard's proximity to the coast, combined with its unique microclimate, allows the vines to thrive and produce grapes with complex flavors and aromas.

Vine Varieties and Winemaking

Grape Varieties

Deep Water Vineyard is known for producing a variety of wines using different grape varieties. The vineyard grows several grape varieties, including:

• Muscadine
• Noble
• Carlos
• Magnolia
• Blanc du Bois

Muscadine grapes are a popular variety grown in the southeastern United States. These grapes are known for their thick skin, which makes them resistant to pests and disease. Noble grapes are a popular variety in California, known for their high sugar content and fruity flavor. Carlos grapes are a popular variety in the southeastern United States, known for their disease resistance and high yields. Magnolia grapes are a hybrid variety, created by crossing Muscadine and Noble grapes. Blanc du Bois grapes are a hybrid variety, created by crossing several grape varieties.

Winemaking Process

Deep Water Vineyard uses a combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques to produce high-quality wines. The winemaking process begins with the harvest, where grapes are picked by hand or machine. After the grapes are picked, they are sorted to remove any unwanted grapes or debris.

The next step in the winemaking process is crushing and pressing the grapes. This process extracts the juice from the grapes, which is then transferred to fermentation tanks. Deep Water Vineyard uses both stainless steel and oak barrels for fermentation, depending on the wine being produced.

After fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels to add flavor and complexity. The length of time the wine is aged depends on the type of wine being produced. Finally, the wine is bottled and labeled, ready to be enjoyed by wine enthusiasts.

Overall, Deep Water Vineyard is known for producing high-quality wines using a variety of grape varieties and a combination of traditional and modern winemaking techniques.

Wine Selection

Deep Water Vineyard offers a wide range of wines that cater to different tastes and preferences. Their selection includes red, white, and rose wines.

Red Wines

Deep Water Vineyard's red wines are made from locally sourced grapes and are aged in oak barrels. They have a rich and complex flavor profile, with notes of blackberry, cherry, and vanilla. Some of their popular red wines include:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Merlot
• Syrah

White Wines

Deep Water Vineyard's white wines are crisp and refreshing, with a fruity aroma and a delicate finish. They are perfect for sipping on a warm summer day or pairing with seafood. Some of their popular white wines include:

• Chardonnay
• Pinot Grigio
• Sauvignon Blanc

Rose Wines

Deep Water Vineyard's rose wines are made from a blend of red and white grapes, resulting in a light and fruity wine. They have a beautiful pink hue and a crisp finish. Some of their popular rose wines include:

• Rose of Cabernet Franc
• Rose of Merlot

Overall, Deep Water Vineyard's wine selection is diverse and offers something for every wine lover. Whether you prefer red, white, or rose, you are sure to find a wine that suits your taste at Deep Water Vineyard.

Visiting the Vineyard

Visiting Deep Water Vineyard is a unique experience for wine lovers and those who enjoy exploring new places. The vineyard is located on Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, and offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.

Tours and Tastings

Deep Water Vineyard offers tours and tastings of their muscadine wines. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the grapevines and learn about the history of the vineyard. The tour also includes a visit to the tasting room where visitors can sample the different wines produced on the property.

For those who prefer a more personalized experience, private tastings are available. The vineyard also offers a wine and cheese pairing experience, where visitors can enjoy a selection of cheeses paired with their favorite wine.

Events and Festivals

Deep Water Vineyard hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. These events range from live music performances to food and wine pairings.

One of the most popular events is the annual Grape Stomping Festival. This festival celebrates the harvest season and allows visitors to participate in the traditional grape stomping process.

Other events include the Lowcountry Oyster Festival and the Harvest Festival. These events offer visitors the opportunity to experience the local culture and cuisine while enjoying the vineyard's wines.

Overall, visiting Deep Water Vineyard is a great way to spend a day exploring the beautiful Wadmalaw Island and enjoying some delicious muscadine wines.

Future of Deep Water Vineyard

Deep Water Vineyard has a promising future ahead of it. The vineyard has already established a reputation for producing high-quality wines, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the world. The owners of the vineyard have plans to expand and improve the facilities, which will help to increase production and attract even more visitors.

One of the most exciting developments on the horizon is the addition of a new tasting room. This new space will be larger and more modern than the current tasting room, and it will offer visitors an even better experience. The new tasting room will be located in a renovated barn, and it will feature a bar area, a retail space, and a large outdoor patio area.

In addition to the new tasting room, Deep Water Vineyard is also planning to expand its production facilities. The vineyard currently produces a range of wines, including reds, whites, and rosés. However, the owners hope to add new varieties to the lineup in the coming years. They are also planning to increase production to meet the growing demand for their wines.

Another exciting development at Deep Water Vineyard is the addition of new events and activities. The vineyard already hosts a range of events throughout the year, including live music performances, food festivals, and yoga classes. The owners plan to expand the range of activities on offer, which will help to attract even more visitors.

Overall, the future of Deep Water Vineyard looks bright. With plans to expand and improve the facilities, increase production, and add new events and activities, the vineyard is well-positioned to continue to grow and thrive in the years to come.