Moving money - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

Huntersville couple brings big hopes to small N.C. winery
by Hugh Fisher
news@huntersvilleherald.com
When Darin and Naomi Griffin of
Huntersville left the U.S. Army, they began
looking for a good investment.
“I’ve always had an interest in owning
my own business,” Darin said. “My father
owned several different businesses
over the years and I believe he passed on
his entrepreneurial spirit.”
Now, a different kind of spirit – fine
wine – will shape the Griffin family’s future,
as they work to make a small North
Carolina winery into a name known
around the region.
The Griffins are the new owners of
Old Stone Winery, located off U.S. 52
in the town of Granite Quarry, outside
Salisbury.
Old Stone currently makes 19 wines.
Their best-sellers are sweet wines made
from North Carolina’s well-known native
muscadine, or scuppernong, grapes.
But the winery also offers merlot, cabernet
sauvignon and many blends. Their
seasonal peach, blackberry and cherry
wines, made with North Carolina-grown
fruit, are also popular.
After working for SABIC Innovative
Plastics and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals,
respectively, Darin and Naomi are
learning a new trade from an expert, and
forging a future for their new business.
It hasn’t been easy. Since June, the
couple has had to take care of their two
sons, Kenlee and Sander, while gaining
knowledge on the job.
“What really excited me about the
winery was the challenge of not only
running and growing a local business,
but learning the art of making wine,”
Darin said.
It’s far from a simple task, especially
now. Grapes are coming in by the ton
from around Rowan County – Old Stone
uses only locally-grown fruit – and the
2009 vintage is being prepared.
Their office, not far from the showroom
where wines are on display and
tastings are held, looks like a laboratory.
Samples of the grapes coming in from
the fields, soon to be pressed for wine,
rest in plastic containers. There are
pieces of equipment that will be used to
check the sugar and alcohol levels of finished
wine – hundreds of gallons of it –
now aging in barrels and tanks nearby.
“Taking over during the grape harvest
season has meant some long
hours, but it’s been incredibly rewarding,”
Darin said. “I’m looking forward
to taking my first wine from the vine to
the bottle.”
The Griffins are entering an industry
that’s growing in spite of a down economy.
According to N.C. Department of
Commerce statistics, the state’s grape
and wine industry provides 5,700 jobs
and brings in $813 million each year.
But Old Stone, as a small family-run
operation, has plenty of room to grow.
Its wines are known generally around
Rowan and Cabarrus counties.
And the winery, which offers tours
and tastings, lacks some of the tourism
punch of larger brands.
“We get calls asking if we have reception
facilities,” Darin said.
But although Old Stone can’t compete
directly with the multi-million dollar
Biltmore and Richard Childress labels,
there’s plenty of room to grow.
One of the first steps Darin and Naomi
have taken is expanding the market
reach of Old Stone’s wines.
“We definitely want to try marketing
and advertising more in Mecklenburg
County,” Darin said.
Right now, the Griffins are researching
different methods of distribution to
try and bring Old Stone wines to bars
and restaurants around the Charlotte
area.
And Darin said they’re in discussions
with “major grocery store chains” to put
Old Stone wines on the shelves. He declined
to name the stores in question
since talks are still underway.
But he also said the winery will keep
its local focus. The grapes grown for
Old Stone wines all come from Rowan
County, and Darin said they plan to keep
it that way.
Darin also hopes to maintain the blend
of varieties that the winery is known for.
“With 19 wines, we have something for
everyone,” he said.
There will be some minor changes as
they work with new grape varieties and
try new blends.
But as they grow, the Griffins maintain
a personal, friendly touch.
“We have already contracted with the
News
Hugh Fisher/Herald photo
Darin Griffin pours wine for tasting at Old Stone Winery, with an array of their selections on
display for customers to sample.
National Breast Cancer Foundation to
donate a portion of all sales from our
Wild Horse (blush) muscadine wine
to them for the month of October,”
Naomi said. October is Breast Cancer
Awareness month, and “blush” pink
ribbons are the awareness movement’s
symbol.
They’re also updating their Web site
and working to relaunch an official Old
Stone wine club, she said.
“I enjoy interacting with people, particularly
those that are still developing
their taste for wine,” Naomi said.
“Wine can be intimidating and I want
to make sure that every customer who
walks through our door feels comfortable.”
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www.huntersvilleherald.com The Herald Weekly • Oct. 2-8, 2009 • Page 15