North Carolina wines donāt always have the best reputation:
North Carolina is known for sweet wine and sweet tea, but not much else. At RayLen Vineyards weāve always followed our own path when it comes to creating great tasting red and white wines, and those efforts have earned us more than 200 awards. Today, weāre highlighting one of our most popular wines: Category 5. This red wine is not only known as one of the best wines in North Carolina, itās also a customer favorite!

About Category 5
Here in Yadkin Valley, we have the perfect soil to cultivate the same types of grapes youāll find in European wineries. Inspired by a rich Bourdeaux, Category 5 is a delicious blend of five of our red varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. Full of flavors, a sip of Category 5 starts with a hurricaneās punch of fruit flavors like dark cherry and blackberry, and finishes with a balanced mix of acidity and tannins.
What to eat
A full-bodied red wine like Category 5 always goes great with dinner. The depth of flavors this wine blend provide lend so well to a rich meal. Pair your glass of Category 5 with something hearty and savory, like beef or venison, or dishes containing starchy root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, garlic, and onions. This wine would not be out of place next to a fresh cheese board or a sampling of charcuterie!
Where can I find a bottle?
If youāre looking for your next favorite red wine, we highly recommend trying a taste of Category 5! Come visit us at RayLen Vineyards in Mocksville, NC for a wine tasting and a tour of our winery and vineyard, or look for us on the menu in Winston-Salem at Roosterās – A Noble Grille, or Village Tavern.