Heritage Farm Near Lake James

Detailed Property Information

Heated Square Footage

2,322 heated square feet

Year Built

1902 (extensively updated)

# of Bedrooms

Four bedrooms (two presently for tasting room)

# of Baths

Two full baths plus one half bath

Overall Condition

Excellent

Acreage

29.3

Surface Water

Small year round creek

Pond/Lake

Approximately one acre pond

Open Field/Pasture

Approximately seven acres, plus several more in grapes

Nearest Interstate Highway

4 miles (I-40)

Nearest Four Lane Road

4 miles (I-40)

Nearest High Density Area

10 miles (Marion)

Photo Gallery

This is a rare find.  With so much mountainous terrain, it can be difficult to find gently laying land suitable for farming and other uses.  This heritage farm rests gently in the valley on the footsteps of the Blue Ridge just 30 minutes east of the iconic town of Black Mountain and a few minutes to the sprawling Lake James.  It is just five minutes to I-40 and has paved state maintained road frontage making it easily accessible year round with no shared driveways or easements like so many rural properties.

Operated for years as a successful boutique winery, the South Creek Winery, the owners are ready to hand it over to the next stewards of the land.  It could easily continue as a winery or be put to use in farming.  There are 29 acres of mostly gently laying land including approximately seven acres in fenced pasture and several more acres in vineyards that could be kept producing grapes or turned into a fruit orchard or more grazing land.  Flowing through the middle of the pasture is the headwaters of South Creek (no flood plain) which allows for year round irrigation if needed.  The property is tucked up into its own cove, thus providing a great sense of privacy.  Click here for a full length video.

As you pass through the electronic gated entrance up the paved drive, you see the pasture off to the left with the very large classic barn anchoring one side of the fields.  Up ahead is the fully restored Italianate two story farm house with sweeping covered front porch and a 1,000 s.f. open air deck offering commanding views of the farm.  Inside the house you’ll find two bedrooms on the main level with two more upstairs.  There are two full and one half baths along with a spacious living room, dining room, kitchen, mud room and covered rear porch.  The house has been updated in recent years with new electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, appliances, cabinetry, etc., yet it retains its classic farm house look with the living room anchored by the large fireplace.  At present, the two downstairs bedrooms are partitioned off from the rest of the house and serve as a wine tasting room and lounge for guests.  With some very simple carpentry and trim work, these spaces could quickly be returned to bedrooms if desired.    Click here for a complete 3D interior walk through of the house.

Off to the rear of the house is a detached two car garage.  Above this garage is a former apartment space plumbed for a three fixture bath.  This is a concrete block building with wood veneer on the upper level and a newer metal roof.  The former apartment space is not habitable at the moment, but could be made into additional living space with the addition of a new staircase.  Once completed, occupants would enjoy a beautiful view of the pond below.

The one acre pond sits below and to the side of the house.  This is a spring fed pond and it is a haven for wildlife including all manner of fowl, deer and of course aquatic animals.  The property line encompasses the entire pond, thus allowing for a walking trail if desired around the perimeter.  Water flowing out of the pond joins South Creek down in the pasture below.  Imagine getting in a boat or fishing from a pier on the pond.  Its not often one finds such a recreational amenity or resource as a stocked pond.  For sustainable living, a pond of this nature is a vital element.

In addition to the fenced pasture area, there are several more acres of gently laying land that are either grass covered or in vines.  If not desired as a vineyard, these areas could be used for additional pasture, orchards, gardens or even new structures and parking.  Excellent soils, drainage and sun make this incredibly productive land.  Again, the key here is the gentle topography.  Along one edge of the pasture is a very large two level barn with an 18′ clearance on the upper level.  Attached to the side is a large equipment shed with concrete slab and a run-in shed for horses.  Next to this is a large former “chicken house” that is far more than just a chicken coop.  Rounding out the farm structures are two aluminum silos.

Up above the vineyard is a 1,550 s.f. multi-purpose building that serves as the winery.  It is here where the grapes are crushed, de-stemmed and the juice settled and fermented before being put into the barrels.  This all takes place on a 600+ s.f. concrete slab covered crush pad.  If not needed for processing grapes, this space makes for ideal equipment parking.  Inside the concrete block building you will find a light and airy interior that is full temperature controlled and insulated.  That is necessary for the aging of the wine.  Again, all the wine making equipment including wine inventory and licensing are included in the asking price.  The winery produces between 400 to 700 cases per year.  But if wine making is not of interest, this building could easily be converted into a myriad of other uses.

So lets talk about things other than wine.  As mentioned this property can easily be adapted to other uses such as a single family residence and farm or cabins added to create a family compound.  Vacation rentals would be a great concept with guests being able to “stay on the farm” overlooking the pond and fields.  One area above the fields encompasses a higher elevated knoll that is nearly flat and with some tree removal will provide views toward Table Rock and Hawksbill Mountains.  The area is unzoned and there are no private restrictions on the use of the property.  It could be made into a very nice equestrian facility, speaking of which, the Tryon International Equestrian Center is located just 45 minutes south.  With the year round creek, there is ample water for watering livestock or irrigation of crops.   Another use might be that of a prepper compound as the property is very private and provides what any prepper might seek in terms of resources (free flowing surface water, pond, arable land, fields for livestock, housing, storage facilities and clear lines of sight.  Finally, a very possible use might be that of an event venue.  The infrastructure is already in place and with some capital investment, the large barn could be made into an outstanding event space.  You’ll be hard pressed to find a more suitable location for an outdoor wedding.

Overall, this is an exceptionally well maintained property with an ongoing business that could be continued or converted to another use.  Call today to schedule your private showing.  Serious inquiries only, and absolutely no unaccompanied drive bys.  Listing agent must accompany all showings.