Woodmill Winery rebuilding after devastating fire

VALE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Operators of a Lincoln County winery are working to restore their business after a devastating fire.

The Woodmill Winery in Vale burned to the ground last month.

It was initially thought that the entire inventory was lost, but it turns out that a few hundred bottles survived.

They’re not for consumption, but they’re being cleaned up and sold as collector’s items to mark the end of a chapter at the beloved winery.

“So many memories and experiences in this one place,” said Richie Calloway, a WoodMill employee. “Weddings, wonderful, happy times, but they’ll be back again.”

Rebuilding will be slow and arduous.

The winery building was destroyed, as well as more than 80 large vats that were full of wine.

Larry Cagle, Jr., WoodMill’s owner, says the vats held roughly 350,000 bottles’ worth.

“I’m kind of in denial,” Cagle, Jr. said. “I’m covering myself up with as much work as possible. I’m getting probably four or five hours of sleep a night.”

He’s focused right now on turning a former tractor shed into a fermentation center.

The harvest also started Thursday morning.

“We start picking grapes,” Cagle, Jr. said. “We have to start crushing [Thursday]. We can’t wait. If we do, we’ll lose our crop this year.”

But Cagle, Jr. says what makes him feel the most urgency is the outpouring of support from the community and seeing how many people want WoodMill back.

“That right there is 90 percent of what keeps me going,” he said.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

Cagle, Jr. says weddings that were booked at the venue will be fully refunded, and he isn’t laying off any of his employees.

“Our cross is still there, our flag is still flying, our faith is still strong, and we’re looking forward to rebuilding,” Cagle, Jr. said.

WoodMill is holding a concert for the community on Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m.