Saturday dawned cold and overcast, but the spirits of the volunteers and vendors refused to be dampened. The Sixth Annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival is being judged as the best festival so far by organizers.

This year’s festival featured 24 wineries, which is the most they’ve ever had. Almost every winery in the Yadkin Valley was represented, offering many visitors their first opportunity to discover what the area truly has to offer.

“The wineries I’ve spoken with said they had a very good day,” said Bobby Todd, Executive Director of the Yadkin Chamber of Commerce. “I did notice more local people in attendance this year than I have in years past. It could be that more people are trying wine or it might be that they just wanted to see what it’s all about.”

Local officials were very pleased with how the event unfolded and with the attendance.

“I want to commend the Chamber of Commerce and thank them for doing this in Yadkinville,” said Mayor Hubert Gregory. “I heard numerous people comment on how well organized it was. I just have to say that the entertainment was outstanding. I can’t get over how fantastic Lauren Caudill is, as a performer. I’m glad she was on our stage but I’d like to see her on a national stage.”

The estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people in attendance certainly took home their own small pieces of Yadkin County. “We were highly pleased with this year’s attendance. It started slow but we were packed from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m.,” said Festival Committee Chair, Jenny Fulton. “Yadkinville is fast becoming a wine destination.”

By noon, a good crowd was pouring into the festival and lines formed at each of the wineries. According to Lenna Hobson owner of RagApple Lassie Vineyards, they had a decrease in sales as they have for the last four years. “It’s because there are so many wineries,” she said. “But it gives people an opportunity to test them all in one place and decide where they want to spend more time.”

Sales may have been less for some, but the wine check area stayed busy all afternoon. “We’re having a great time,” said Karen Carter who was driving around in a golf cart to the winery booths collecting purchases so that visitors did not have to carry them around until they were ready to leave.

Cindy Austin another volunteer divided her time between The Yadkin Business Women and the wine check area. “Other than the chill, I think everybody had a great time,” she said. “I couldn’t believe the amount of wine that was sold. We stayed busy all afternoon.”

Tasters came from states as far away as Florida and Virginia. Chamber President, John Willingham spent a large portion of the day at the check in booth. “I was a little cold, but it was a good day and a good day for Yadkinville,” he said. “I was amazed at how far people traveled to attend the festival. There were several from Virginia and some that were here for the entire week, visiting local wineries. I’m pleased that we had that kind of exposure. The festival demonstrates how important the wine industry is to this area now. Despite mother nature’s attempt to put a damper on it, I think everyone had fun.”

Vendors were pleased with the layout of spaces this year. “Last year was not good for vendors outside the wineries,” said one vendor. “We were all out on the street. We’re getting much more traffic being a part of the festival instead of being stuck on the outside.”

“We sure could have used some heat,” said Dana Acker, winemaker for Buck Shoals Vineyards of Hamptonville. “I was surprised the turn out was as good as it was because of the weather, but we had a great time.”

Vintage Inn Owner, Sandy Thomas said they had a full house over the weekend. “Two couples from Hiawassee, Ga. came to look things over because they’re starting a vineyard. I had to turn away two couples. That was good. The festival was nice though, and everyone enjoyed it.”

Fulton may have summed up the entire event when she said, “I think this was the best festival we’ve had so far.”