NC Winery #24: Piccione Vineyards

After a wonderful trip to Raffaldini, we headed next door to Piccione Vineyards. It had been several years since we last visited Piccione, so we were due for another visit. 

Driving through the front gate, you're immediately greeted by the vineyard - rows and rows of grapevines growing on either side. The tasting room is perched on a hill with great views of the surrounding foothills. There is a bar and seating inside, as well as a lovely outdoor space. They have some snacks and other merchandise for sale, along with their wine of course. While the tasting room isn't quite as palatial as their neighbor's, it is very nice and serves as the perfect home base for their amazing wines. I hate to keep making comparisons to Raffaldini, but Piccione also produces Italian wines. Piccione boasts Italian ancestry and a family history of winemaking; they started making Italian-style wine in the Swan Valley AVA in 2010. Their varietals include standards like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, as well as Montepulciano, Nero Amaro, Sangiovese, and Vermentino.

We happened to visit on a day in January when they were doing a Girl Scout cookie and wine pairing. Um...yes please! They set us up at our own private table with a tasting menu which matched 6 cookies to 6 wines. While we were there for the wine, the cookies were an added bonus, and the whole experience was great. 

The front gate to Piccione

An overcast winter day, but still a lovely view regardless!

A look at their outdoor space

Girl Scout cookies and wine pairing. We were in heaven.

A view of some of their award-winning wines

After 6 different wines and 6 different cookies, we left feeling pretty good about ourselves. And since I am currently hoarding a bottle of the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2013 Nero in my cellar, I decided to hold off on any purchases for the day. If I'd been in a shopping mood, I'm sure I would have left with a whole case of wine! They were all just that good. 

Our takeaway: Piccione is putting out great wine, and it's the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Do yourself a favor and plan a trip there ASAP! 

P.S. We’re teaching a class on Italian wines at Piccione this month. Check out our events page for more information!