This unique piece of land is primarily composed of Tomlin and Oak Level Loam soils, which are not known for their fertility.
Often, high-quality premium wines are produced on many low-rated soils. The characteristics sought in this type of fruit grown in poor soil tend to contradict traditional agricultural theory, as they aim for stressed fruit, emphasizing character and complexity rather than mere production. This was the case here at Rayson, formerly known as RayLen Vineyards and Winery. Under their previous care, they planted and cared for vines now approaching over a quarter of a century old.
These vines have survived many traumatic weather events in the local region, and they have dug deeply to establish themselves, find nutrients, and produce their annual fruits of labor.
Varietals on the Rayson Winery and Vineyards’ 35-acre vineyard site include:
- Riesling
- Viognier
- Chardonnay
- Vidal Blanc
- Rkatsitelli
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Petit Verdot
Additional plantings of Sauvignon Blanc, Albarino, Pinot Blanc, and Tannat were successfully planted in the spring of 2024.
The owners firmly believe that wine is intended to be enjoyed with food and, of course, the people closest to your heart. We believe that the wine’s character and importance are amplified by its ability to complement the nuances in a well-prepared dish, and vice versa. In our minds, it is one of the most harmonious of life’s pleasures: impeccably paired wine with food. Our full-scale restaurant, Bistro Europa, is officially open! Our dining room is currently in the design phase- all of our dining seating is located outside under our covered Veranda patio or at picnic tables on the lawn.
Our intention is to provide our guests with an inimitable guest experience with our friendly, well-versed, and knowledgeable team, who are an extension of our own family.
In our opinion, this is a crown jewel of the Yadkin Valley AVA here in North Carolina.
Twenty-four years ago, Joe and Joyce Neely, founders of RayLen, turned a former Davie County dairy farm into one of the state’s top wineries. RayLen Vineyards & Winery helped create and nurture North Carolina’s wine industry while crafting award-winning wines and blazing a trail for the scores of other wineries that followed. RayLen has solidified its place as an architect of the enormous growth in the North Carolina wine industry while forging a sterling reputation for wine and service quality.
The Neely’s, like JOLO, created the RayLen name from their two children. JOLO bears the names of JW and Kristen Ray’s two sons, Joey and Logan, while RayLen is derived from their two daughters, Rachel and Len. The coincidences and the serendipity do not stop there. Both organizations have built a reputation for world-class wine and guest services in a comfortable and friendly setting. Both organizations focus heavily on inimitable guest services.
Rayson Winery and Vineyards are ready to carry the torch lit by the RayLen family and keep it burning brightly through many more generations. Rayson is excited to enhance the wine experience at this location by introducing food pairings alongside a greater focus on single-varietal wine offerings. Bistro Europa opened for full-service dining in May 2024, and in October 2024, we transformed our newly renovated indoor storage room into a world-class dining space. Our outdoor Veranda features a beautiful stone fireplace and stunning views of the vineyard. We look forward to continuing to offer world-class hospitality and wines.
Media inquiries can be made at info@jolowine.com.
