Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery (https://eaglemountainwinery.com/) opened less than one year ago in Upstate SC at 2330 SC-11. It doesn’t feel like it, but their address puts them in Travelers Rest. Eagle Mountain currently consists of one building, serving as tasting room and event space, as well as some outdoor seating. This winery holds promise of greatness, though, with a renowned winemaker/co-owner and major plans for the property.
They’re off to a great start. Wine data analytics show that in their first six months they out sold 7,000 other winery’s full year numbers.
Owners
George Bursick, Director of Winemaking
One of the most accomplished winemakers in California, Bursick began his career there as founding winemaker at Ferrari-Carano Winery. Out of 11,000 wineries in the US, he took it to number 25. While at Ferrari-Carano, Wine Spectator magazine twice said that he made the number one Chardonnay in the world, once featuring only that wine on their cover. And Wine Enthusiast magazine named his Pinot Noir best in the US. For more on Bursick, read about him on his website.
Russ Gardiner, President
If Bursick is “behind the scenes” as winemaker, Gardiner is “out front” as the face of the winery. After decades working in advertising for the California wine industry, he semi-retired to Greenville. The idea for an Upstate winery grew from local viticulture history. The Upstate had been a successful wine grape growing region in the 1880s and 1890s, but that ended with Prohibition.
Wines
For now, they are using a variety of California grapes/juice to make their wine on site until their grape vines mature.
“We will plant our own estate vineyards with cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc vines, but also source the best grapes from prestigious vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Monterey wine regions and then ship the crushed juice to our winery in South Carolina. Here our winemakers, in our newly designed state-of-the-art winery, will blend and age the wine to craft world-class wines . . . ”
– EagleMountainWinery.com
Three of us met up at Eagle Mountain for a little catching up. Flights were the only way to go for the two of three of us that hadn’t before. Even though she’d been before, the third also choose a flight. We all chose the upgraded flight.
A standard flight is the first five wines in the list below (not including their Cabernet Sauvignon) and a 5oz pour of your choice from the flight for $18. The upgraded flight consists of all six wines listed below, and a 5oz pour of your choice from that tasting for $26. Know that the Cabernet Sauvignon is considered their cornerstone wine and is $16 a glass when you choose which flight you want.
Reservations are NOT required for tastings, purchases by the glass or bottle, but reservations ARE required if you’d like a tasty Charcuterie Box by local three-sister owned Charcuterthree. Make reservations on Eagle Mountain’s Home page.
SAUVIGNON BLANC – 2020 Sonoma Alexander Valley
Bright white wine with herbal and honeydew melon notes on the nose and palate. It has a supple mouthful with a medium-plus finish that should leave you wanting more.
Glass $7
Bottle $20
CHARDONNAY – 2019 Central Coast Cienega Valley
Elegant aromas of ripe melon, baked apple and honeysuckle complemented by toasty “crème brûlée” aromas and flavors derived from 100% barrel fermentation in new French oak barrels…extremely long finish…a classic “World Class” Chardonnay.
Glass $9
Bottle $25
ROSE – 2020 Temecula Valley
A traditional style red rose produced primarily from Sangiovese grapes which exhibits aromas of rose petals, violets and raspberries. These desirable characters continue into a long, semi-sweet mouthful with bright acidity beckoning one refreshing glass after another.
Glass $7
Bottle $18
PINOT NOIR – 2020 Sonoma Coast
Bright, vibrant raspberry/strawberry aromas which extend into the flavors which ends in a long luxuriant finish with silky tannins. A true expression of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir growing region.
Glass $10
Bottle $28
ZINFANDEL – 2019 Lodi Mokelumne River
Our Zin defines the Lodi area and the rich history of making wine from this grape. The notes of dark cherry, blackberry, cranberry, and raspberry coat the mouth. The dark color and long finish should be a welcome change for the red wine drinker.
Glass $8
Bottle $22
CABERNET SAUVIGNON – 2015 Napa Valley
Our cornerstone wine and leader of our brand is our 2015 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine is everything you want in a California red – stunning spice, vanilla, and dark chocolate from oak aging lead the way with earth and black currant rounding out it’s bold profile. This is a wine with a huge character, lots of body and plenty of complexity. This is one serious wine to enjoy now or lay down in your wine cellar.
Glass $16
Bottle $48
My personal favorite, hands down, was the Cabernet Sauvignon. Really liked the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Loved the Cabernet Sauvignon! Funny story, we were told that folks in the area stop by for a bottle of Cabernet before heading into Greenville for dinner. They have a glass on site, put the cork in the bottle, head into town for dinner and have a second off the menu glass of wine with dinner.
When asked where Eagle Mountain is positioning itself in the world of Vineyards and Wineries, Russ Gardiner said something to the effect of “high end”. Wine quality and pricing will reflect that, but as Gardiner pointed out, a Cabernet Sauvignon the quality of theirs, priced at $48, would sell for $75 to $85 in Nappa Valley, California.
Five levels of Wine Clubs do offer a variety of options and pricing.
“Eagle Mountain Winery has developed an amazing all-inclusive wine club program. Our wine club levels allow you to decide what wine / food / art / music experiences are important to you.” – EagleMountainWinery.com
They’re taking a unique approach, especially for this area of the country, so fair warning:
“ONCE OUR WINE CLUB MEMBERSHIPS REACH THE MAXIMUM NUMBER WE WILL TRANSITION THE WINERY TO A MODIFIED “MEMBER’S ONLY WINERY” WITH ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PUBLIC VISITORS ON A “RESERVATION ONLY” BASIS.” – EagleMountainWinery.com
Promising Greatness
We enjoyed meeting Gardiner and learning about the vision and the extensive plans they have for the property.
Another 5,000 square foot building with a 2nd floor mezzanine is going to be built near the existing parking lot. It will include a restaurant, art gallery, a second tasting room, and back patio that will accommodate about 150 people. That building will overlook a stream and waterfall. They’ll be building a stage over that stream and a new 1,000 seat amphitheater for concert viewing during the summer. Everything on the property will be fully landscaped, of course.
At the top of the mountain behind the existing buildng, the middle 20 of 100 acres owned by the winery are going to be turned into a non-profit Arts Foundation sculpture park that will feature SC and NC sculptors. Trails will lead to and throughout the garden. Sculptures and picnic tables will be placed along the stream for the public to enjoy. The park is free and open from noon to 6:00 PM daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Bikes and pets are not permitted in the park.
Eagle Mountain Vineyards & Winery
2330 SC-11
Travelers Rest, SC 29690
(864) 663-7875
