Two years ago, on the heels of an epic hike up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, my husband, best friends, and I celebrated with a whirlwind weekend through the Sonoma Valley. We marveled at vineyard views, journeyed through cellars and caves, geeked out over gewürztraminer, and then mailed cases of our favorites back to the East Coast. To this day, we delight in finding “our” wines out in the wild. While I’ve attended afternoon getaways at Tryon’s Overmountain Vineyards and Parker-Binns Vineyard in Mill Spring, when I think of wine country, I always think of that California trip. That is, until I read writer Randy Johnson’s in-depth feature, “Western North Carolina’s Wine Country Uncorked” (page 60). Not only does he share an abundance of insight into our rapidly growing wine region, he also convinced me to broaden my idea of wine country to include the vineyards in our own backyard.
In the same way that wine tastes better when sipped with friends, our appreciation for music gets amplified in good company. That notion rests at the heart of the feature “Ballad of the Appalachian Fiddle” (page 70), in which writer and musician Jonathan Ammons digs into both the fascinating history and modern community surrounding old-time fiddling. He talks with the makers and scholars promoting this centuries-old tradition for today’s listeners, including Natalya Weinstein and John Miller, professors in the traditional music program at Warren Wilson College and this issue’s cover subjects. (In an unexpected nod to the past, a local fiddler also appeared on the cover of the very first issue of WNC, published 20 years ago.)
Inside these pages, you’ll also find a treasure trove of holiday gift ideas with ties to the region (“Local Gift Guide,” page 80). We’ve scoured Main Street shops and galleries from Brasstown to Boone to round up 150 unique ideas perfect for every recipient, from the adventurer to the foodie.
If you’re looking for a surprise that lasts long past the holiday season, consider giving a subscription to WNC or a membership to the WNC Magazine Club. This coming year holds much promise for our publication; as we shift to printing three issues annually, our creative team will be exploring more ways to connect with you both digitally and in person through exclusive parties, expanded giveaways, and insider meet and greets.
In the meantime, pour yourself a glass of Carolina cabernet and settle in for some delicious reading with this gorgeous new issue!
Editor-in-Chief
Lauren B. Johnson
editor@wncmagazine.com