TR I A N GLE Staycation Destinations By Meredith Hemphill It can be hard to find the time to take a big vacation. For those of us with busy schedules, a staycation can be the way to go. Day trips and weekend getaways to explore local gems are the perfect way to get some time away from the daily grind. Here are some Triangle destinations worth staycationing at.
CLOER FAMILY VINEYARDS This Apex winery is family owned and operated and established by North Carolina State horticulture graduate Tam Cloer. “We are the only family-owned winery in the Raleigh-Durham area that grows its own grapes and produces its own wines on-site,” explained cofounder Pam Cloer. Cloer Family Vineyards carries two muscadine and three European-style wines. Tastings, including a brief wine education, are available anytime. Visitors may walk through the vineyards, take self-guided tours of the winery, visit the sheep, or have a picnic with a bottle of wine. “If they forget to bring food with 12
them, we have tons of NC food products available for sale so they can make their own charcuterie basket,” Pam said. Cloer Family Vineyards hosts classes and events. Upcoming classes include cupcake decorating, acrylic pour charcuterie boards, candle making, and acrylic pour wine glasses. Check their calendar for dates and times.
CHATHAM HILL WINERY Established in 1999, Chatham Hill Winery was the first winery in the Triangle. They are in Cary with a market and eatery on site. Their wines are produced using traditional methods. They state on their website that they “simply assist nature in the alchemy of turning grapes into wine.” Chatham Hill Winery makes ten European-style, two Scuppernong, and five “Sweet Carolina” fruit-infused wines. There are live music nights on Fridays from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Wine tastings are offered every Saturday and Sunday. thecityinsightmag.com
