Vesuvius Vineyards - Denver, NC Vineyard & Reception Hall Reopens!

Jay Thompson needed to meet his deadline.

Thompson had to finish renovating Vesuvius Vineyards in time for his July wedding this year. It was the place he and his bride, Kristy Anne Kelly, had chosen to exchange their vows and host a reception for 230 guests.

But the venue was in no shape for guests, let alone, one of the most important days of Thompson's life. He and cousin, John Lineberger III, along with family and friends, brought the historic home and grounds back to life in time for the joyous occasion.

Thompson's wedding sparked a business plan. People would often stop by the property and inquire more about the venue. The cousins decided that the property, owned by the Lineberger family, could be used for other weddings, parties, birthdays, receptions and a meeting place for organizations.

"The more we talked to people, they said, ‘There is nothing like this out here,' " Thompson said. "It was really something our families just kind of said, ‘Well, here's an idea. If you want to do it, run with it.' It has really come a long way."

The Lineberger and Thompson families decided to clean up the 10 acres of land surrounding the home on Vesuvius Furnace Road, between Iron Station and Denver. Last year, four acres of grape vines were planted to eventually use for wine. In a few years, Vesuvius Vineyards will be selling their own wine, but it will be made in an Elkin winery.

After the vines were planted, the families tackled repairing the rundown home, which they said is the oldest home still standing in Lincoln County.

Built in multiple stages, the home has many of its original features intact, including hardwood floors, lighting fixtures, doorknobs and iron hinges. But the family also put a lot of work into the dwelling by refinishing the floors, painting and wallpapering each room, re-wrapping the hardy plank, and doing massive landscaping.

"The biggest renovation was the addition of an 800- square-foot deck overlooking the nearby creek, which will allow more space for guests during events," Thompson said.

Gen. Joseph Graham, a Revolutionary leader, built the home in 1792. He built an iron furnace, named Vesuvius Furnace, on the property that stayed in operation until after the Civil War. The furnace's embers and smoke erupting from the top resembled the great volcano Mt. Vesuvius that destroyed Pompeii, Italy. Remnants of the furnace, which used to stand 40 feet tall, still exist on the property today.

At one time, Vesuvius was the main stagecoach road from Spartanburg to Salisbury. The wagon trail is still visible on the property. Travelers would stay in the home, sometimes paying with art and paintings. Graham, a postmaster and Justice of the Peace, even established one of the first post offices in Lincoln County at Vesuvius.

Keeping as much of the history intact was important to Lineberger and Thompson. Old cookware, furniture, candle-makers and horseshoes are scattered throughout the home, equipped with separate rooms for brides and grooms to use as they get ready on the wedding day.

A detached kitchen can be used for some catering. A cellar, made from stones, will eventually store the wines.

"We still haven't found any treasure yet, but we are keeping our fingers crossed for that," Lineberger joked.

The Lineberger family bought the property in the 1940s with the intention of using it as a summer home. Thirty years later, the family stopped visiting as often and decided to lease the property. The last renters moved out two years ago. The Linebergers decided the house, already showing its wear and tear over the years, would rot away unless it was restored.

"Our grandfather and his brother always said they wanted this house to stay in the family so it's kind of their wish to keep the house," Lineberger said.

"They said that it should look good, it should be liveable. Everybody in the family chipped in, made sure it was right and all this came about. It was just one step at a time."

Lincoln County Community Foundation will host a reception at Vesuvius Vineyards Aug. 22. Word has been getting out about the facility, which has already been booked by the Lincoln County Historical Association for an October gathering. The property, nestled beside a creek and scattered with two gazebos, is fit for just about any event, Lineberger and Thompson said.

"I feel like we are in the middle of nowhere," Thompson said. "It's different for this area because the area is growing up so big. This area, for as long as we can help it, will be as natural, private and peaceful as we can make it."

To learn more about Vesuvius Vineyards, contact Thompson at 704-996-1566 or Lineberger at 843-422-4079. You can also visit www.vesuviusvineyards.com.

LincolnTimesNews.com
by: Sarah Melton
(8/5/2009)

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