ty barn. Back then, we might have had four people a day visiting us. We would cook them a lunch like pileau, have them taste the wine.” The Irvins took a grass-roots approach to selling their wine. They used local artists to design wine labels, came up with Lowcountry names for their wines, and brought their product to stores around the area in hopes of getting some bottles on the shelves. In 2008, Jim and wine rep Scott Newitt began Firefly Distillery on the same site. Now available nationwide, the on-site distillery produces liquor for only the tasting room and for distribution throughout South Carolina. The rest of the nation’s supply is produced in Kentucky.
hold Winestock—a music festival complete with more wine and food trucks, along with a “best hippie” contest. On August 23, the annual Grape Stomp is a smashing good time to celebrate the grape harvest. The highlights of this festival include two-person teams competing to produce the most juice while stomping in a barrel of grapes, as well as a “Lucy Look-A-Like” competition, reminiscent of the famous grape-stomping I Love Lucy episode. The last festival of the season, the Blessing of the Vines, happens November 8. As a brand-new batch of grapes begins to set, the vines are blessed for a prosperous and healthy season. Each of these festivals incorporates bands and local food vendors for the ultimate experience at the vineyard. The vineyard has grown into much more than a retirement hobby, and has blossomed into a Lowcountry must-see. “It’s beyond my wildest dreams,” Ann says.
Irvin~House Vineyards started just as its vines
have: from the ground up. With help from family and friends, more than seven miles of trellises were driven into the ground, making a framework
More information on Irvin~House Vineyards and its events and festivals can be found at IrvinHouseVineyards.com.
for the 2,700 muscadine grape vines… As Irvin~House Vineyards has grown, so has its popularity. “Things are different now. Usually we’ll see 100 people over the weekdays, and about 400 on Saturdays. I can’t make that much pileau!” Ann says. The tack room has been transformed into a gift shop filled with local crafts and unique gifts. The sleepy oaks that used to welcome a few curious visitors now are the backdrop for tastings, self-guided tours and four festivals throughout the year. Tuesdays through Saturdays, the winery and distillery are open for tastings. For $5, you can taste five Irvin~House wines and keep your wine glass. For $6, you can taste six Firefly Distillery liquors and keep the shot glass. On Sippin’ Saturdays from noon until 4 p.m., a food truck and live local music make the experience even more special. Enjoy one of their famous Wine-a-Ritas on the patio’s rocking chairs, or stick with wine by the glass or bottle. Irvin~House is family friendly with a tire swing and small “petting zoo” of farm animals such as a miniature cow, pigs, chickens and goats. It is also dog friendly to those kept on a leash. “We get all sorts of groups: families, tour groups, girls’ getaways, romantic couples,” Ann says. “We recommend you bring chairs and blankets and have a picnic. You can easily spend three hours or more here, just enjoying everything there is to see, taste and do.” The Island Sip and See is another great way to experience not only Irvin~House Vineyards and Firefly Distillery, but also the neighboring Charleston Tea Plantation. On this adventure, guests are picked up by the Lowcountry Loop Trolley in downtown Charleston and taken to all three Wadmalaw Island attractions. Tours, tastings, lunch and heavy appetizers are included. Irvin~House Vineyards hosts four festivals each year. The Cork Shuckin’ Festival, held in February, kicked off 2014 in good fashion with oysters and tastings. May 31, Irvin~House Vineyards will March 2014 | Mt. Pleasant Lifestyle 21