wine – award-winning wines that are now being distributed here in our community via Rome-based wine distributors Stellar Wines. For white wine drinkers, RayLen’s Italian-style Pinot Grigio splashes the palate with citrus flavors, offering notes of lime zest and a touch of grapefruit. There are three varieties of Chardonnay. “We do one with absolutely no Oak, which gives you the crisp taste of just the Chardonnay grape,” explains Joyce. “We have one [South Mountain’s Vineyard Chardonnay] that is lightly Oaked, which means it’s been put in French Oak barrels for a period of time, and it gives it a bit of that buttery taste.” But the Viognier this year, she says, is smooth and bright with fruit. In the red section of RayLen’s wine list, there are seven red wine varieties. Carolinius, a light-bodied blend, offers flavors
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of raspberry and currant, while the reds get a little more rich and robust with the Cabernet Franc, made from the Bordeaux grape varietal – lavishly referred to as “liquid velvet in a bottle.” Named after the most powerful hurricane, RayLen’s Category 5 hits the palate
The direct inspiration for the winery was really through friends. It was kind of happening all around us. with swirling layers of cassis and fig in a full-bodied blend that leaves notes of caramelized vanilla in its wake. “The Category 5 is made from five differ-
ent grapes,” Joyce explains. “It was featured on ‘The Today Show’ a while back [2011] as one of the five top wines to watch outside of California.” Choosing a favorite poses itself as a difficult question for Joyce and for Erin Doby, RayLen’s director of marketing and events. Winery-hosted functions are abundant on the rolling green grounds of RayLen; that’s something the Neelys have learned in their journey. “To be in the wine business is to be in the entertainment business,” Joyce laughs. The intimate, French country style of RayLen makes for a down-to-earth atmosphere, and Doby says that the Neelys’ eclectic taste falls right in line with the entertainment. Host to five annual festivals, it’s no secret that RayLen knows how to throw a party with class. Through these events, RayLen