Wineries on the Coast of South Carolina: Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Charleston

People from all over the United States and Canada flock to South Carolina to visit Myrtle Beach and Charleston, but the sun and sand are not the only reasons to make the trip. Work your way down the coast as you sample the fine wines of the Palmetto State.

La Belle Amie Vineyard is conveniently located in Little River right next to Myrtle Beach, also known as the Grand Strand. Started in 1999, the family owned business is operated by Vicki. The wine and gift shop offers wine tastings Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and for $5, visitors over age 21 receive a La Belle Amie wine glass and may sample six different wines.

Buy wine at the gift shop, along with wine glasses, coasters, corkscrews, and wine racks. Choose from a selection of sauces, salsas, relishes and flavored cooking oils. La Belle Amie is a good place to stock up on your favorite wine or to pick up a hostess gift.

Reds, whites, and Southern Styles are available, such as "Bless Her Heart," a Southern semi-dry muscadine wine, and "Sugar Daddy," a smooth Southern muscadine red wine. Check the La Belle Amie website for coupons and specials before you visit.

Want to go to La Belle Amie Vineyards?
1120 St. Joseph Road (Corner of Highway 90 and St. Joseph Road), Little River, SC 29566. Phone: 843-399-WINE (9463).

Irvin-House Vineyards cover 48 acres on Wadmalaw Island in Charleston, and is the city's only domestic winery, with the grapes being grown, harvested and made into wine on the property. Irvin-House produces five varieties of southern muscadine wine, including Tara Gold, Palmetto, Magnolia, Mullet Hall Red, and Live Oak Reserve for $12 per bottle. The Magnolia, an award-winning wine at the Hilton Head Wine Festival, is a crisp and fruity white wine.

Jim and Ann Irvin, who both grew up on farms, own Irvin-House Vineyards, which is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tastings, which include all five wine varieties for $3, start every half hour and include a free wine glass. Irvin--House Vineyards has been featured in South Carolina Home and Gardens magazine, and the wine can be purchased at local retailers, including Piggly Wiggly, Harris Teeter, World Market, Wholesale Wine and Whole Foods Market.

Want to go to Irvin-House Vineyards?
6775 Bears Bluff Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC 29487. Phone 843-559-6867.

Island Winery Loren and Georgene Mortimer, who also own a winery in New Jersey, spent years vacationing in Hilton Head before moving there and opening Island Winery. A professional winemaker, Dr. Georgene Mortimer and her husband have worked together for years to produce their wine.

In addition to red and white wines, the Mortimer's make Carolina Specialty wines, including Apple Cinnamon Wine, made with Carolina apples and Margarita Wine, a blend of white wine, lime and natural tequila flavor. Other wines are made from Carolina peaches, blueberries and blackberries. Prices range from $12 to $25 per bottle and can also be purchased by the case. Taste the wine for free Monday through Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Want to go to Island Winery?
12A Cardinal Road Hilton Head, SC 29926. Phone: 843-842-3141

Sources:

www.labelleamie.com
www.charlestonwine.com
/www.islandwinery.com