Finding a Rest Stop on Highway 64
Driving down the highway the other day with my associates from Hong Kong, we needed a break from the monotonous solitude of the long, lonely highway 64. We were on our way from Cary to Hickory, a drive that shoulda taken about 3 hours, but was getting longer due the infrequent heavy thunderstorms ahead of Hurricane Ernesto. We almost had to pull off the road a couple of times due to heavy downpours.
Looking for a good clean restroom – not exactly an easy task along this route – it suddenly dawned on me that just up ahead was a unique spot that would work great. Now you are probably thinking I mean Lexington BBQ or one of the other famous pork barbecue diners along this route. But no I knew my associates weren’t hungry and that most didn’t have the biggest nicest rest facilities either. But nearby was a new spot I had seen but never visited: a winery. What better spot?
And it was. As we pulled through the high brick gates and meandered back down the narrow drive through the grape vines, my friends couldn’t figure where we were headed. Sara was guessing it was some kind of residential development. But suddenly looming from behind the grapevines rose a beautiful building on the hill. It looked like a setting right out of Napa Valley wine country. It was no doubt that Richard Childress had patterned this now famous winery after more famous California locations. The architecture was rustic with that California Spanish influence.
Soon my associates had cameras in hand and were running all over the grounds taking pictures of every nook and cranny. It certainly was a beautiful place for photos. The skies were heavily overcast, but it didn’t slow their enthusiasm. They must have taken a hundred photos on their three cameras in a matter of a ½ hour stop. And beautiful shots they got too!
What a place! For those unfamiliar with this local legend, Richard Childress became famous for his NASCAR racing. His teams have been some of the best at left turns. A couple of years ago he decided to take some of his land around his beautiful nearby home – described as a mansion – and put in grape vineyards. The love of this art led him to establish his own wine and now this beautiful winery in Lexington.
Hard to believe NASCAR and wine go together. Childress has done it well though. I was expecting a lot of racecar paraphernalia, but there was very little. There were only a couple of discreet mentions. Otherwise this was all wine complete with up to 20 different wines including four reserve wines. Of course, there was a great wine tasting setup to entice a weary traveler. And shucks – I was driving and couldn’t partake. What a bummer! At least I enjoyed the beauty of the grounds! Very nice!
posted by A Bryson (formerly) in China @ 11:21 PM
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