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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009

Kathleen winery to be featured in wine tasting

KATHLEEN — A little-known fact in Houston County is that there is a winery right here.

Tilford Winery in Kathleen makes 12 red and white wines from muscadine grapes grown in 40 acres of grapevines down on Lake Joy Road.

Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States, and the ones used in wine are mostly Noble, Carlos and Magnolia varieties.

“The process starts with grapes in the vineyard,” said Robert Taylor, owner of Tilford Winery.

To draw attention to the winery, Taylor will host a wine tasting 7:30 to 11 p.m. Friday at the Galleria Conference Center at the Galleria Mall.

The cost is $7. Patrons must be 21 to come to the event.

The winery also is open on the weekends, and tours are available.

Taylor, who has been making wine for about 15 years, started out as a grower.

“It was a little bit slow,” he said. “I thought, ‘I can just start processing the wine itself.’ ”

Taylor said muscadine wines don’t have to be paired to a particular food like most European wines.

“They taste good with everything,” he said.

Taylor’s son, LeQuintiss Taylor, handles the sales and marketing for the winery. The elder Taylor hopes to make this a family business.

“My father was a farmer, but he did mainly livestock,” Robert Taylor said.

The winery produces about 200 cases of wine per year. It takes about 5 pounds of grapes to produce a bottle of wine, Robert Taylor said.

All of Tilford Winery’s wine is stored in stainless steel barrels.

Robert Taylor said he plans to expand the operation, which started in a carport at his house.

That was phase one, he said. The 30- by 40-foot building where the winery is now is phase two.

“In three years, we hope to open the winery at the vineyards,” he said.

He said he wants to have one site where the grapes are grown and processed.

“We’ll be right there together,” he said.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.

IF YOU GO What: Tilford Winery wine tasting When: 7:30-11 p.m. Friday Where: Galleria Conference Center, Galleria Mall, Centerville Cost: $7; patrons must be 21 to attend More information: 396-3025 or www.tilfordwinery.com