Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam Cloer.
Pam, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Tam developed an interest in winemaking as a young man when he befriended an elderly neighbor with a love for home winemaking. For years, Tam visited his neighbor’s basement winery and worked by his side learning the basics. After his neighbor passed away and left all of his winemaking equipment to Tam, he officially adopted the art as a hobby.
In 1995, drawing on his personal winemaking experience and his agricultural knowledge, Tam started experimenting with grapes on his family’s farm. He initially planted roughly 3,000 vines across five acres. The vines consisted of vinifera (blended varieties) and French Hybrid grapes. Despite the fact that these grapes were recommended for this area of the country at the time, it soon became apparent that they are not well suited for the warm, humid climate of our region. The Cloers fought mold and mildew almost constantly and their vineyards were plagued with pests and diseases.
After 12 years of spraying and troubleshooting, Tam pulled up all the vines in his vineyards. He worked with a team of North Carolina State University researchers to analyze existing research and data from his own vineyards and decided to replant with muscadines – vines that were actually discovered by Sir Walter Raleigh’s explorers in North Carolina’s Outer Banks in the 1500’s.
As expected, the new vines thrived. During harvest, Tam and his wife Pam hosted picking parties – inviting friends and family to help pick (and eat) the ripe fruit. After much experimenting and taste testing, they shared their new wines at dinner gatherings and gave them as gifts.
Based on the feedback he received, Tam was confident he was making good quality wines. That, combined with his love for the agricultural process and opportunity it created for family time, convinced him to take his passion to a new level.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Cloer Family Vineyards?
Cloer Family Vineyards is the only winery and vineyard in Wake County. We are open Fridays from 12-5 and Saturdays from 11-5. We offer wine flights, wine by the glass and wine by the bottle. You can enjoy your wine while sitting on one of our beautiful patios. You can also enjoy walking through the vineyard and visiting with our sheep and horses.
If you get want to stay for a while, we have Make-Your-Own-Charcuterie plate with NC cheeses, crackers, salami, peanuts and other items for purchase. Guests are also welcome to bring their own food, but no outside alcohol is allowed to be brought onto the property.
We offer classes (candle making, calligraphy, flower arranging and more) and two Dinners in the Vineyard a year. We also host private events and corporate events.
Pricing:
- Wine Flights $7.00+tax
- Glasses of Wine $6-$9+tax
- All Bottles are $22+tax
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cloerfamilyvineyards.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cloerfamilyvineyards/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cloerfamilyvineyards/
