38 Acres in Lewisburg, WV - $1,900,000
Less than ten minutes from historic downtown Lewisburg, resting in the shadow of Muddy Creek Mountain, youll find a quiet little vineyard with charm to spare. Watts Roost is a farm vineyard producing a variety of wines from French-American Hybrid grapes. Established sixteen years ago, the vineyard enjoys attention for it award winning wines, and it seems the momentum has only just begun. (For a complete history of Watts Roost please see Backyard Grapes in the Maps and Documents section).
DESCRIPTION
Watts Roost is a charming 38 acre multiple use property located in the heart of the Greenbrier Valley. The 8.5 acre vineyard, modern winery and 1830 historic home, coupled with rolling pastures and magnificent old growth trees, create the quintessential estate property.
In every direction there are spectacular long range views overlooking the Greenbrier Valley and distant mountains ranges....
In every direction there are spectacular long range views overlooking the Greenbrier Valley and distant mountains ranges. The cool temperate climate and loamy soils are conducive for the production of grapes, pears and peaches. The pastures are used for grazing sheep, cattle, llamas and donkeys and all do well on the native bluegrass that grows so well in the region.
The trees scattered about the farm are very beautiful with some old growth Walnuts and Oaks that started growing in the 1800s. The song birds, deer, rabbits, wild turkey, and squirrels thrive here as the gentle laying land, farm pond and vegetative diversity creates the perfect wildlife habitat. The Valley has more cattle per square mile than people and the night sky is filled with stars and not light pollution.
THE SURROUNDING AREA
Watts Roost is more than just beautiful real estate; it comes with a great community known for its friendly residents and laid-back lifestyle. The Greenbrier Valley is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life in the valley interesting and satisfying. A year round live theater, Carnegie Hall (one of four in the USA), fine dining, art galleries and boutiques make up the thriving downtown historic district in Lewisburg.
Lewisburg is also the county seat of Greenbrier County and home to the WV Osteopathic Medical School (600 students) and the New River Community and Technical College. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture.
In 2011, Lewisburg was named Coolest Small Town in America and is just a 5 minutes drive to complete shopping, churches, schools, medical-dental facilities, fine dining, and a modern hospital. The airport, with the longest runway in the state is just 10 minutes away and has daily flights to Atlanta and Washington DC.
For the water enthusiast, the Greenbrier River is 2 miles away at Fort Spring. The Greenbrier River is the last un-dammed river east of the Mississippi and offers a great float/canoe/kayak experience. The fishing for small mouth bass is considered excellent. The Greenbrier River trail is an 86 mile long rails to trails system and offers exceptional hiking and biking opportunities along the scenic Greenbrier River.
Within an hours drive are located some of the finest recreational facilities in West Virginia. Winterplace Ski Resort, whitewater rafting / fishing on the New River and Gauley River, 2000 acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem State Park and Resort and the 80,000 acre New River National Gorge National Park. Five other area state parks and state forests offer unlimited hiking, horseback riding, ATV riding and rock climbing opportunities. Snowshoe Ski Resort is 90 minute drive through some of the most scenic country on the East Coast. The new 10,600 acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp and home to the US and World Jamboree is an hours drive.
The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is just 20 minutes drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. Rock climbing, ziplining, horseback riding and the 100 + mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.
THE VINEYARD AND WINERY
The new 3600 state- of- the- art winery was finished in June of 2010. Check back in for more information regarding equipment inventory, production capacity and annual production.
Winery production capacity is 8,000-9,000 gallons a year. 17,300 liters storage (bulk wine) storage capacity
Both red and white French-American hybrid grapes are grown on 8.5 acres. The French Hybrid Vines including Chardonel, Chamborcin, Chelois, Noiriet, Leon Millot, Landot Noir, Vidal Blanc, Fouch, and Ghost. These grapes are cold hardy and root-rot resistant. They mature within the growing season, and are picked in September-October. The winery uses only grapes grown in the vineyard for Watts Roost wines. Blackberry, Elderberry, and Blueberry fruit wines are offered.
All wine production is done on-site. Once the wine is determined to be ready, it is bottled six bottles at a time. Each bottle is corked, capped and labeled one bottle at a time.
Visitors to the vineyard can enjoy a tasting of eight to ten wines and a stroll in the vineyard.
Awards and Festivals Watts Roost Vineyard participates in festivals around West Virginia. *Check back in for a complete list of awards and festivals attended.
THE WINE LIST
DRY WINES
2011 Vidal Blanc $12.00 A delightful & easy to drink dry white wine with fresh flavor. Vidal grapes are aged entirely in stainless steel with light oak. The result is pure & balanced with a full-mouth feel. Enjoy with ripe Brie, game, pork & poultry.
Greenbrier White $12.00 This crisp off-dry white Chardonel grape with a splash of Vidal Blanc has a lingering finish. Enjoy with vegetables, seafood, pork, poultry & white sausages. Surprising good with kettle corn.
2010 Chambourcin $12.00 A medium-bodied, softly dry & subtly bold ruby-colored wine with unique flavor & aroma. Created from Chambourcin, Foch & Vidal grapes. Expected to age well. Quickly became a favorite of ours. Enjoy with beef, venison & sausages.
Greenbrier Red $12.00 A medium-bodied dry blend of four red grape varietals. Hints of tobacco, smooth & oaky. Enjoy w/sausages, game, beef, lamb & spicy dishes. Named best estate-bottled wine in West Virginia 2013.
SEMI-SWEET WINES
Calico White $10.00 This true semi-sweet greets you with pleasant flavors & a nice finish. Its pure refreshment for you on a hot day. Easy to drink alone or with fruit, sweet ham & Asian foods. We dont know the name of the grape, we just call it ghost.
Ros $10.00 Crafted of Vidal and Chambourcin grapes this semi-sweet wine is fruity and beautifully soft in color, taste & aroma. Good with eggs, quiche, cream sauces light cheeses & fruit.
Herns Mill Red $12.00 A soft semi-sweet red based on a Best of the East winner. A nose full of aroma & a tongue full of taste. Drink by itself or with cheese, baguette & fruit. Also poultry, pork & salmon. A good all around blend of Vidal & Chambourcin grapes. Can be chilled or mulled.
Calico Red $10.00 A semi-sweet red wine from a Chelois grape. Sweetness up front with a peppery/smoky finish. Enjoy with red pastas, veal, pork, & tomato-based food. Silver Medal winner 2010 Wines of the South competition. Use a splash of this wine to replace the spoonful of sugar in chilis & stews & tomato sauces.
Blackberry 750ml $12.00 Rich & fruity. Lovely with desserts, fruit & chocolate. Drink chilled or at room temperature. Pour over ice cream & angel food cake. Use this wine in chocolate brownies, cake, fondue or berry cobblers. Bronze Medal winner in Wines of the South Competition & FL State Fair Intl. Wine & Grape Juice Competition. Silver Medal winner in WV Commercial Wine Competition.
SWEET WINES
Sweet Charlotte $10.00 A white wine created with 100% Vidal grapes. Sweet & refreshing on a hot day. Sweet, but still a wine.
Vintners Special Sweet Lucie $10.00 or 3 for $20.00 A sweet red blend of Vidal & Chambourcin grapes. Our very sweetest wine. Enjoy with a berry tart & anything chocolate. Can be chilled or mulled.
Blueberry $12.00 Instantly feel refreshed as you savor the distinctive taste of blueberries. Drink chilled or at room temperature. Lovely with desserts, fruit and chocolate.
Elderberry $12.00 Called Grandmothers wine. The rich and fruity flavors compliment desserts, fruit & chocolate. Can be served chilled or at room temperature. Silver Medal winner Florida State Fair International Wine & Grape Juice Competition (2010) & 2011 Wines of the South.
HISTORIC HOME AND GUEST HOUSE
THE HISTORIC HOMES first section was built circa 1830 and contained the kitchen, dining room and upstairs bedroom (now the study). In 1876, the living room, sitting room and two upstairs bedrooms were added. For 135 years the home did not have an indoor bathroom but in 1965 the first one was added, finally bringing the home into the modern era.
Today, this charming home is completely restored; on the covered porch there is an old porch swing providing the perfect space to enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the sun rise over Valley.
THE GUEST HOME, known as the Hen House is a reverse living design with open floor plan containing the kitchen-dining-living space. This space is cheerful and inviting with sun streaming in from both north and south. Two master bedrooms complete the interior upper floor living space. Outside, there is a covered deck off the eastern master bedroom and an open porch running the length of the southern side. These porches overlook the vineyard and peach orchard.
On the downstairs floor of the Hen House, there is a two car garage, large storage room, bathroom and a crafts-gardening room.
A POTTING SHED is located between the historic home and the Hen House and has a concrete floor,power and water.
LOCATION
Watts Roost is located in Greenbrier County WV, 3 miles west of the Lewisburg Interchange (#169) on I-64. The property has year round access on paved state maintained roads.
Elevations on the property run from 2037 to 2186 above sea level.
Address:
2245 Blue Sulphur Pike
Lewisburg, WV 24901
GPS/Google Mapping:
Old Asbury Road
Lewisburg, WV 24901
Latitude: 037.102968N
Longitude: 080.5048787W
ACCESS AND BOUNDARIES
The property fronts paved state maintained County Route 33 and provides excellent year round access to the property. The property runs along the road for about 1000. The perimeter of the property is completely fenced. Gravel drives provide interior access to the homes and winery.
UTILITIES
Electric MonPower
Propane AmeriGas at Greenbrier Valley Mall
Landline Phone Suddenlink
Internet High speed, Suddenlink
Cable Suddenlink
Water Wells {2}
Sewer Septic. Historic home and guest home on one system, winery on separate system.
Garbage Disposal Greenbrier Valley Solid Waste
Currently there is electric, phone and cable. There is also high speed internet connection.
Cell phone coverage is excellent in this area.
Insurance carrier- Farm Family, Russell Bennett agent.
HVAC Service- Dixon Refrigeration, Mike Dixon
Pest Control- Terminex. Quarterly treatment.
Plumbing- Calvin Elmore
Electrician- Scott Graham
Building Contractor- Neal Rhodes
Cell phone- ATT, Verizon, US Cellular
Mail and parcels- USPS, UPS AND FEDX
Newspaper Delivery- WV Daily, Beckley Herald Register, Charleston Gazette, WSJ
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Excepting the area encompassing the vineyard and homes, the remaining 27 acre is predominately pasture and meadow well suited for raising livestock. This is limestone country and the sweet soils and temperate climate create the perfect mix for the grasses to thrive during the summer months and remain productive well into the late fall and early winter.
A portion of the property is also suited for the production of row crops and vegetables. Several nice garden spots are available but be sure to plant a little extra for the rabbits to enjoy. Pumpkins will do well here too.
The Greenbrier Valley is primarily agrarian based and is the #1 producer of cattle in the state and the second largest sheep producer. The area is also well known for the breeding of fine horses, having a rich tradition of show competion and horse pulls. The 4-H and Future Farmers of America youth groups are active in the community and area schools.
There is a farm pond already in place and several other sites would be suitable for creating additional ponds and watering troughs if so desired.
Fencing is excellent and the entire perimeter of the property is fenced and there is cross fencing in place.
Beekeeping is also a very popular pastime in the area and Watts Roost would be well suited for the production of honey with some well-placed hives.
SHEEP AND CATTLE PRODUCTION
COTSWOLD SHEEP PROJECT: Cotswold sheep are a rare and ancient breed brought by Romans at the time of Christ to England. These sheep gravitated to the Cotswold Hills in Wales and southwest England as they were the only breed to thrive in these harsh conditions. Greenbrier Cotswold is growing a flock of pure Cotswolds. At this time there are both pure Cotswold lamb and partial Cotswold lamb for sale. Ground lamb, chops and leg steaks are available for purchase.
In the spring, the sheep are shorn and the fleece is sold. Fleece is sold at county wool pool and Cotswold wool is sold at festival and online.
CATTLE PROJECT: Cattle are also raised at Watts Roost. Calves are born in the late February and March and over the next 7 months put on weight at 2-3 pounds a day. A 70 pound calf at birth will weigh in at about 500-600 pounds at the end of October.
FOREST RESOURCES
The majority of the trees growing are Black Walnut. White Oak, Red Oak, Hickory, Sugar Maple, Tulip Poplar, Black Cherry and Mountain Ash are the predominant species comprising the other trees found scattered across the property in the hollow and hillside portion of the farm.
Although there is little commercial timber value, the forest is healthy and shows no signs of forest pest or disease. Not surprising, the vineyard, forest, shrubs and pasture grasses are highly productive in producing tons and tons of oxygen while at the same time eliminating huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide; Natures way of reducing our Carbon Footprint.
MINERAL RESOURCES
The Marcellus Shale Natural Gas Field is thought to underlay te property and natural gas companies have been aggressively leasing natural gas rights in the area. To the Sellers knowledge, there have been no gas wells drilled on the property and no coal mining has ever been done. The Sellers are conveying all mineral rights and oil and gas rights they own and they have not leased any coal or natural gas rights to any companies.
TAXES AND DEED INFORMATION
The property is taxed in Class II in Fort Spring District, Greenbrier County WV on Tax Map 5, parcels 11, 11.2 and 11.3 totaling 38 acres.
Annual property taxes in 2012 were $798.63.
The deed is recorded in the Greenbrier County Courthouse in Lewisburg WV in Deed Book 484, Pages 283 and 287.
ZONING
The property is located in Fort Springs District and is subject to some county zoning restrictions.
Greenbrier County has a Subdivision Ordinance and all prospective buyers contemplating division of property into lots should consult the Greenbrier County Planning Commission. All prospective buyers should contact the Greenbrier County Commission and Health Department when considering purchasing or developing any property in the county to determine if the property is subject to any additional zoning ordinances.
Please call the office for a guided tour of this fantastic property. 304.661.6543
Directions
From the Lewisburg Interchange (#169) on I64, take Route 219 South to the intersection of Rt. 60. Turn right on Rt. 60 East (Washington Street) travel 1.4 miles and take a left onto County Route 33 (Muddy Cr. Mtn Road/Blue Sulphur Turnpike) and travel 2.1 miles to the entrance of Watts Roost on the left.