Charles and I recently spent a long weekend in the Yadkin Valley AVA. We spent days mapping out the wineries we wanted to visit. We stopped by 3 new wineries and reconnected with friends from 3 wineries we had visited previously. The only trouble (not really trouble) with attempting to visit every winery in North Carolina is that we make friends with the people who own and work at the winery. Haze Gray is one of those wineries. We find that we are visiting the same wineries repeatedly. We like to stop by when we are in the area.

Traveling the world Deane and Becky Muhlenberg, owners of Haze Gray Vineyards, often discussed post military life of working outside, growing grapes, and making their own wine. Once Deane retired from the Navy, the only question was the location. In 2015 the property was purchased, and 5 acres of grapes planted. In 2016 they planted 4 additional acres. All the while Becky continued to work full time and commuting to Philadelphia and then to Charlotte. 2017 they produced a small harvest followed by the finished winery in 2018. The next year the tasting room was completed, and they began selling their own estate bottled wines. Not all North Carolina vineyards can claim to be estate bottled. To use that distinction, the winery must grow 100% of the grapes used and bottle their own wine on the property. Their vineyard is 9 acres and produces 9 varieties of grapes. Haze Gray is open Thursday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12-6 and Monday – Wednesday by appointment. They offer 2 levels of wine club membership: The Wingman Club and Aces.


I first met Becky at my first Digital Media Summit. She is one of those people who is easy to connect with. I immediately made plans to visit Haze Gray. We visited the following Sunday afternoon and recently spent a long weekend at their cabin located on the property. The cabin is perfectly located to sit with a cup of coffee and enjoy the sunrise from the front porch. You can also enjoy a glass of wine watching the sunset behind the vineyard. The cabin can accommodate 2 couples or a small family.

The tasting room is spacious with enough room for larger parties and smaller more intimate seating areas. The front porch includes rocking chairs to sit and relax. They have covered gazebo seating for friends to gather in cooler weather. Located in the tasting room is their Wall of Honor devoted to photos of military personnel. The left side is comprised of Deane and Becky’s families. Deane is 8th generation military. The right side is for customers’ families.

Ali led our tasting on our first visit. We each tasted 5 estate bottled wines. You may choose to purchase a Riedel wine glass with your tasting. I suggest having a couple of Riedel glasses in your collection. My white wine flight included the 2019 Chardonnay, a North Carolina Fine Wine gold winner; the 2021 Traminette Dry fermented in stainless steel; and the recently released Pinot Grigio. Charles enjoyed a red flight of 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Aviator Red and the 2019 Chambourcin. All their blends have military labels. $1 from each sale of a blend is donated to military charities. Even though we aren’t sweet wine drinkers, we did bring home a bottle of the Cherry Blossom. Becky uses it instead of water in her brownie recipe. Their wines have won many awards from the North Carolina State Fair, Great American International Competition, and Atlantic Seaboard Competition.

We are always curious of how owners decide on naming their vineyards. Haze Gray Vineyards got its name from the color of naval ships. As previously stated, Deane is a retired Navy veteran of 30 years. They are committed to supporting Veteran organizations. Haze Gray is a member of the Home Grown by Heroes brand. It is the official brand in America to recognize veteran famers, ranchers and fishermen.