Native muscadine wine, also refer to as “the fountain of youth,” is making its comeback in Charleston

CHARLESTON, SC
June 4, 2004

Charleston’s only winery, the Irvin~House Vineyards has finally hit the shelves of the local groceries and wine stores with its own labels. Local residents can now buy Charleston muscadine wine at local grocery stores and wine shops. Irvin House wine is available at Piggly Wiggly on John Island, the newly opened Whole Foods Market in Mt. Pleasant, Kennedy’s Bakery, Uncork, Good Taste, O’Hara & Flynn, Toddy Shop and the Wine Shop at the Charleston’s Marina, and soon in Harris Teeter and many more throughout the region.

Winemaker Jim Irvin has been producing wine at Charleston’s only domestic vineyards, situated on 48 acres of quaint Wadmalaw Island, since 2001. ”Charlestonians have been drinking muscadine wine over the centuries, and we want to reintroduce this native American grape to more modern palates. Hopefully people find joy in this sweet porch wine again,” Irvin said.

Irvin~House Vineyards features five varieties of wine truly in the tradition of the southern muscadine: Tara Gold, Palmetto, Magnolia, Mullet Hall Red, and Live Oak Reserve. All these wine are reminiscent of the old South and range from a semi-dry to the regular sweet muscadine.

A recent study concluded by the National Institute of Health found that muscadine wines contain 7 times more Resveratrol than all other wines. Phenolic compound Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant known as an agent that helps grapevines to defend themselves against diseases, in humans it’s known for lowering cholesterol levels and risk of coronary heart disease. The research of muscadine grapes also showed high fiber content, low fat and anticarcinogenic activity which means reducing the likelihood of cancer. For this reason, muscadine wine, once thought of as “the fountain of youth,” might well be on its way of becoming the new health food.

Founded in 2001, by Jim and Ann Irvin, the Irvin House Vineyards are located on Wadmalaw Island outside of Charleston. The winery is opened to the public Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tours are available every Saturday at 2 p.m. Visitors can taste authentic wine, visit the vineyards and stroll through the property. For more information on the Irvin-House Vineyards, visit www.charlestonwine.com or contact 843-559-6867.

Media contacts:

Vladia Jurcova Sherrie Bakshi
843-345-3275 843-906-2579
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