The first Bacchus Festival at Hyman Vineyards is scheduled for October 8 and 9, 2010, offering music, food, crafts, and tastings of handcrafted muscadine wine in a celebration of viticulture. Visitors can learn about the art of wine blending and see a winemaking demo. The adventurous can do some grape stomping and enter the Lucy-Look-Alike contest.
Our recent research visit to Hyman Vineyards turned out to be a lot of interesting tasting along with some education. It was before lunch, but we persevered! Greg Hyman’s vineyards, tasting room, country store, and vineyard homesites will soon be discovered by groups thirsty for a look at the land as well as the wine production.
Just five miles out of downtown Conway, Greg’s refurbished tobacco barn is the site of a good bit of history. He’s an exceptional and knowledgeable speaker on South Carolina agriculture and its changes over the years.
Also, his research begun 12 years ago with partner Dr. Bob Bibb has produced extensive information on the health effects of the grape — the muscadine — called the super fruit. Wow! Who knew? One of only two muscadine estate vineyards in South Carolina, this visit also delivers the perfect view of grape growing and the bottled product of these vines.
The wine can be purchased in Boulineau’ s in Cherry Grove or in 25 different Piggy Wiggly stores. The experience can only be found in the vineyard itself with tours and tastings offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12 Noon until 6 pm. Tasting is $5 per person and includes a souvenir glass. Tours are $5 per person with a group of five. Let us know if you need help finding this spot or planning a group tour which could even include lunch and an educational program.
Taste the experience at Hyman Vineyards, whether you love learning about the farming and winemaking or to get a look at typical South Carolina countryside just minutes from Myrtle Beach. Here’s a quick tour along with an introduction to Greg and his wife Rhonda with the new kittens who decided to live here: