Make the Choice. Make a Difference. Make it Local.

Why are you rooted in Iredell County?

Wendy: We both were born and raised here. I grew up in this county on a very small 20 acre farm with chicken, pigs, cows and small gardens. This is my husband’s family land, so it was a no brainer that we had to keep farming it in some capacity. Conservation is a big part of it. They don’t make any more land. I was ready to give up my jobs in the city and get dirty again.

 

Kelvin: We saw so much land around us being developed and taken away, farming is a way to keep sustaining what we have. My family had tobacco, cows, soybeans, corn, we rotated different crops at different times of the year. It was pretty much just a little small family farm, the land came from our grandfather and my dad pretty much kept on the tradition from when he grew up.

 

Wendy: And we wanted to extend that tradition.

 

Being born and raised in Iredell County, how would you describe the agricultural landscape of the county? How has it evolved?

Kelvin: Historically, Iredell has been a dairy county. Right now, they're still the largest dairy county in North Carolina. Tobacco, has really gone away since the 80’s. In our neighborhood, we see landscaping, nursery trees, and small organic farms. I would say the poultry industry is also coming on pretty strong. Agriculture and farming is really thriving in Iredell right now.

 

So you both have a familiarity with agriculture given your background, but what drew you to wine?

Wendy: We researched probably seven years to learn what it would take. Then, I started taking courses at Surry Community College. They have a wonderful viticulture program there, and while I was going to school there I worked at a local winery. That was hands down probably the best education I got, and applied it here. Our farming background definitely didn't hurt, but this is totally a different way of farming

 

What’s the hardest part of owning your own vineyard and the most rewarding part?

Wendy: The hardest part are the hours. We start the vineyard in mid to late February. Then from late March until September or October, we work 10 hour days, seven days a week. It’s very demanding. There is no shade in the vineyard, and it’s just me. For four acres that’s a lot of work, but the rewarding thing is just that also. When it’s harvest time and you get to see those fruits of your labor literally coming into fruition, we always feel like we’re giving back, to the land, to our community.

 

Expanding upon that, why do you think its important for your community to buy local?

Kelvin: You're getting better quality food. Fresher, picked daily. The main thing is you want to help support someone local that’s trying to make a living, and keep things as they used to be.

 

Wendy: We support our local farmers in the community. Buying their fruits, vegetables and meats to put on our table, we’re in turn giving them something to put on their table. The money is going right back to them.

 

Moon Lake Vineyards is located on 1193 Tabor Road in Olin, North Carolina. To learn more, call (704) 546-5703 or email Wendy at wendywew@yadtel.net or visit www.moonlakevineyards.com.