BYRON, Ga. — Some folks like a little extra holiday spirit with their Thanksgiving feast. Most wine producers in the Peach State operate in North Georgia but Central Georgia has its share too.
Winemaking originated in Georgia, the country, a little after 6000 B.C. For Darlene Williams, a Byron farmer, her grapevines established their roots a little over 20 years ago.
"These grapes have been planted since the early 2000's; my husband planted them," Williams said.
In her backyard are the rows of grapes her late husband, James, planted. After James Roberts died in 2022, Williams continued his legacy as the new owner of "Robert's Vineyard."
Two years later, she established a winery on the property and launched the grand opening this month.
"My thoughts got ahead of me and I was like, 'We have to have a place where it could be nice, elegant, sophisticated and where people can come sit down and we can do wine tasting,'" she said.
It also doubles an event venue for special occasions, Williams said.
According to the Association of African American Vintners, 1% of wineries are owned and operated by Black women; Williams is one of them.
"I am really in a industry that's dominated by males so I've surrounded myself and I've reached out to different people and I've even enrolled myself in some education courses so that I can still learn," Williams said. "So I can grow the legacy in this empire that God is allowing me to do."
She said she hopes to see her vineyard become a historic agritourism site.
"During my my grand opening, I had people that travel from Michigan, Jacksonville, Alabama and during harvest season, I have people from all over," she said. "I have people from California, even some people from Korea have came and they picked Muscadines right here in little ole' Byron, Georgia."
Williams said she hopes the business will improve with age, like a fine wine. She also provides home-grown vegetables through the Georgia Department of Public Health's Farmers Market program, adding it helps feed WIC recipients and eligible seniors. She said she's accepting bookings for wine tours and venue site.