|
|
|
 |
..Blue Ridge Vineyards began as the brainchild of Douglas Brendle, a retired entrepreneur and respected businessman in the Southeast for being the founder of Brendle’s discount department stores, and more recently for having launched a chain of health food stores in North Carolina as a hobby in retirement.
|
|
At the urging of his daughter, Adelia, Mr. Brendle purchased a farm, complete with pond, barn, garden, and pastureland just one mile from his office. Knowing his interest in wine and how much he had always enjoyed trips to Italy to visit vineyards, she suggested that he plant a vineyard at his farm as another hobby.
|
|
Before long, Brendle was no longer content to just stop by his farm after work to fish (another lifelong passion). Instead, he began plans with a consultant to map out the vineyard and install poles to support the vines. Unfortunately, it was at this point in Fall 2004 that Mr. Brendle fell ill and implored his daughter and son-in-law to assist in finishing the project.
|
|
Despite being nearly blind— that hadn’t stopped him— he was not about to let this health crisis, nor anyone or anything, stand in the way of his making this a full-fledged business. He did stabilize his health for one-and-a-half years, long enough to supervise the direction he wanted his vineyard to take.
|
|
Mr. Brendle passed away in February 2006, but not before sampling the first bottle of wine from Blue Ridge Vineyards and seeing the new labels. He smiled contentedly that he could check another project off his list.
|
|
Recent Events
Chris Teague Tribute Party, June 2009
Click here to see the gallery!
BlueRidge Vineyards Creative Team
Left to Right: Francesca Agnoli Event Planner;
Kate Andrews, Photographer; Kim Vicars, Designer
|
|
|
|
|
|
