Many vineyards are family vineyards, and Stanburn Vineyard is no different. It is not just a family operation, it is the entire family! Nelson and Elsie Stanley decided to start the vineyard in 1999. After buying land for the endeavor, they began planning the rows and varieties. Not knowing anything about what they were getting into, they both started attending seminars at Surry Community College in the viticulture program. Their daughter, Dawn Stanley Osborne, also took classes and began working in the vineyard. Their son David and his wife Tabatha came home on weekends from Charlotte to help in the vineyard until they moved back for good in 2005.
Stanburn Vineyard began with 2.5 acres of Chardonnay by planting approximately 1250 vines, and 4 acres of Cabernet Franc with about 2050 vines. In 2004, they planted 2.5 acres of Traminette with almost 1300 vines. In 2010, they planted Barbera to add another red variety into the field. The vineyard currently yields between 45-50 tons of grapes each year, depending on needs and Mother Nature. She can be fickle!
Most evenings in the spring through fall seasons, you will find 4-6 of the family out in the vineyard pruning, leaf pulling, thinning, spraying, mowing, and everything else that needs to be done.
It’s a family operation, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Read more about the entire operation:
Vineyard | Winery | The Family | The Winemaker | Visiting the Winery
