As the birthplace of Chardonnay Rosso, developed in 2007, Green Creek Winery prides itself on being at the front of new wine creations.
So, three years ago when owner Alvin Pack came across Mercer’s Dairy Wine Ice Cream his interest was peaked.
The brand had won an international competition in Vallejo, Calif. and caught Pack’s eye. Green Creek Winery, in fact, is currently the only place in the Carolinas or Georgia to sell the product, Pack said.
“We’ve had tremendous response,” he added. “People actually turn into kids – they’re tasting ice cream again.”
Pack himself tried Red Raspberry Chardonnay first and knew he had to have more.
Pack sold 150 pints in the first three weeks of offering the ice cream and has given 160 tastings. During the wine ice cream tasting, patrons get six shot glasses with individual flavors in each – Red Raspberry Chardonnay, Peach White Zinfandel, Riesling, Port, Cherry Merlot and Chocolate Cabernet. Each flavor is served with its own tasting note such as this one for Port.
Port: Notable port wine flavors. Tastes the most like the wine. Very creamy and smooth. Very tasty. Battleship grey. Goes well with fruits.
The exciting thing for Pack is hearing the buzz around the new product. He said he went to purchase a freezer from Carruth’s Furniture in Landrum and they asked if it was for the wine ice cream, then when someone came out to fix the winery’s air conditioning the repairman said his wife made him promise to buy her a pint.
The tricky thing is getting the ice cream here.
Pack must get the ice cream shipped 860 miles from Mercer’s Dairy in the Adirondack Mountains of Booneville, N.Y.
In the first shipment he received 64 pints and in the second 208, but getting a pallet of ice cream shipped in a refrigerated truck means shipping close to 1,200 pints – more than Pack’s freezer will hold at the moment.
In the meantime, Pack continues to sell to interested customers traveling from as far away as Charlotte just to try the indulgent treat.
Just remember you must be 21 to dig in your spoon. With 5 percent alcohol, eating a pint of this ice cream is almost equivalent to drinking one beer.
To go and have your own tasting, Green Creek Winery is located at 413 Gilbert Road, Columbus, N.C. 28722. You can also call for more information, 828-863-2182.