
Westbend Vineyards
5394 Williams Rd.
Lewisville, NC 27023
Phone: (336) 945-5032
Fax: (336) 945-5294
Facts
Jack and Lillian Kroustalis opened the winery in 1988.
Westbend wines are estate grown and bottled.
Westbend's specialty wines are Barrel fermented Chardonnay, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Riesling and Chambourcin.
Stephen Rigby is their viticulturists that has played a large role in their success.
Winston Salem is only 15 minutes away
Old Salem and the Reynolda Village is also located nearby.
"Westbend Vineyards is located in Lewisville, NC. The 40 acres of prime vinifera vineyards are neatly tucked into the gently rolling coutryside in the northwest corner of Forsyth County. The name Westbend refers to the Yadkin River, which takes a bend to the west in this area and has given the name to the region.
The first vineyard at Westbend was planted in 1972, against the advice of some rather heavy agricultural authorities. But the owner, Jack Kroustalis, was not discouraged by the naysayers. He began planting vinifera varieties that are used to produce fine California and French wines. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Gamay, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc are now thriving along the banks of the Yadkin.
As the vines flourished, more acreage was planted and, by 1986, Kroustalis found he had a 70-ton grape harvest, which was sold to other wineries. Westbend became a bonded winery in 1988. Steve Shepard, the winemaker and general manager at Westbend, arrived in 1989 and the first Westbend wines were released in June 1990.
Today, Westbend wines are winning national and international awards. Gold medals have been awarded to the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, the Cabernet Sauvignon, the Merlot, the Chambourcin, the Sauvignon Blanc, the Riesling, and the Seyval Blanc.
Westbend has been growing steadily since 1988, and systematically winning awards for its nine varietals of European-style wines." (from the Westbend Website located at NC Grape Council site)
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