Ah, the rolling foothills of western North Carolina. Less than an hour from Charlotte, just a few gorgeou turns off Highway 74, you can roll up the drive at Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard in Cleveland County and park near the classic white farmhouse. The big red barn to your right is so picturesque it became the inspiration for the Hillshire Farms Logo. The immense covered patio filled with rocking chairs and folks before you is the offshoot of the tasting room. With a view of 10 hilly acres of vines, not many folks choose to stay inside, but rather take their tasting flights, glasses, and bottles for a stroll on the patio or a welcoming Adirondack chair nearby.

Wine makers and owners Ann and Charles Edwards love this bit of land. It’s been in Ann’s family for more than a century and has lived quite a few lives before it’s latest as a small, bustling vineyard that produces 1,200 cases per year of some of your favorite California flavors-and the distinctly Southern, North Carolina-native muscadine wine.

"My grandfather was a gentleman farmer. He had a general store down on the creek and he also had a federal license to make liquor–though we’re pretty sure he kept right on making it through Prohibition. And my father was a dairy farmer," says Ann. "Charles likes to say, ‘we’ve gone from shine to milk to wine.’"

Though the family’s moonshining days are long gone, the Edwards decided to try their hand at winemaking. After retiring from a career as a chemist, Charles figured he’d much rather grow grapes than mow the extensive lawn at the farm. He did some reading and eventually enrolled in community college to learn about winemaking and viticulture.

Following a few good years of grape growing, the pair opened Baker Buffalo Creek Winery in 2009 where they now make 16 different wines – from their popular sweet Blush wine, made from the North Carolina-native muscadine and scuppernong grapes to Brand-barrel aged Merlot. Truly something for everyone’s pallette!

"The muscadine grapes grew wild in the area, so people who grew up in the South eating them really love the wine," says Ann. "It’s a sweeter wine, and definitely more of a Southern thing that people like, but we do recommend that everyone try it. Ours isn’t quite as sweet as others and it really is quite good."

Beyond a sweet drink, muscadine wines are garnering a new reputation thanks to the grapes’ superfood powers. Packed with antioxidants and high in fiber, these grapes are famous for their health benefits which include supporting heart health, suppressing cancer cell growth, and helping with liver disease. How’s that for a glass that packs a punch?

Ann’s favorites are the Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Cab Franc. But one of the more popular wines is the CD Baker.

"It’s a Cabernet Sauvignon that ages in oak barrels and then goes into bourbon barrels," says Ann. "Our bourbon barrels come from Heaven Hills Distillery out of Kentucky. It’s a really mild flavor, but people love it."

Grab a glass and stroll around. The bright red mule barn is now used for events–everything from live music and food trucks to weddings and parties. The old milk house is now the tasting room, run by Ann.

"People love to grab some wine and walk around. We sell by the glass, by the bottle, or by the case. We’re equal opportunity-You know how much you want," she laughs. "We are dog- and children-friendly. Children don’t have to be on the leash but the dogs do."

With the green foothills and Buffalo Creek burbling and the foot of the property, an afternoon at the winery is nothing short of idyllic. Come and meet Ann and Charles, ask them for a tour. You’re bound to leave with a spectacular wine and some charming stories about how these modern day winemakers work their magic.