*We are clear from flooding and Hurricane Helene*
Bramabella Vineyards is a 40 acre, 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 3,000 square feet+ luxury Estate nestled in The Brushy Mountains of North Carolina: it is comprised of a hillside vineyard, a blueberry orchard, a formal garden by the home, walking trails, and an ever-flowing stream with soul-stopping, dramatic waterfalls. The property evokes a magical, fairy-tale, Garden-of-Eden feel. You feel as if you have been transported to another world while strolling around the grounds and gardens of Bramabella.
The word Bramabella is neologism culled from the Italian words 'bramare' (to yearn for) and 'bella' (beauty), so the property literally means 'to yearn for Beauty,' which is apt as everything that we do at Bramabella is designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Estate. And in a way, Bramabella itself, is an extension of my youthful Italian Grand Tour, especially the region of Tuscany, which is known for its natural beauty, vineyard estates and idyllic agriturismo.
The 3,000+ square foot home is 5 bedrooms, and 3 bathrooms, which is divided into two levels, affording one maximum privacy. The home is outfitted with a super-fast 1 gig wireless system, so even though many come to Bramabella to 'get-away-from-it-all' you are still able to attend to professional and familial obligations, should you desire to do so. The home has two 55" Amazon smart TVs and one 50" Amazon smart TV, so with your Amazon account, you can log into your desired streaming service (NetFlix, YouTubeTV, Hulu, etc). Since we have these Amazon smart TVs, we do not have cable. We have a Cuisinart Coffee/Tea maker, a Keurig and a pour-over. The property also includes stainless steel appliances.
We have outfitted the home so that should you desire a more cozy, interior, home-centric trip than an outdoorsy one (hiking the property, spending time by the waterfalls, picnicking, etc) that you will be quite happy with fast internet, streaming TV, stainless steel appliances, great coffee/tea options, and luxuriating in the formal garden. And to this point, we have outfitted a game room downstairs with a foosball table and other board games. The home also has a decorative electric fireplace upstairs that throws heat as well as a purely electric decorative one downstairs. One of my favorite things to do at the property is to watch the snow fall gently outside with the fire-place going, while sipping my coffee: it is very Thomas Kinkade 'High Country Christmas'-esque or perhaps a scene taken from a Hallmark movie.
The property is 15 minutes (9.2 miles) from downtown North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, two charming mountain towns with wonderful dining options with 6th and Main Restaurant being my personal favorite. Furthermore, Bramabella is located within the flourishing Swan Creek AVA wine region and is about 25 minutes away (20.8 miles) from a plethora of winery/vineyards, including acclaimed Raffaldini Vineyards. Additionally, due to our partnership with Stardust Cellars, staying at Bramabella affords you a FREE wine/mead tasting at their tasting room located just 5 minutes(3.6 miles) away from the property. All of the wine-grapes and blueberries that come off of the property are turned into wine and mead by Stardust Cellars, so the very blueberry bushes that you are gazing at while you sip your morning coffee, you could be imbibing later in the day at Stardust. And speaking of blueberries, guests are welcome to pick blueberries from the bushes within the home garden, which generally fruit between June and August. Though even if you miss the peak blueberry picking season, the blueberry bushes are a true delight to gaze upon during any season, but most especially in the Autumn when they turn a deep, luscious wine-red color.
Most recently, we carved a walking-pathway leading from the home down to the waterfall area called ARCADIA. The winding pathway that meanders through the woodlands opens into a large meadow, which is adjacent to the waterfalls, the piece de resistance of the entire Estate. Being in that area amongst the mountain-laurel and rhododendrons, and gazing up at the waterfalls, will literally take your breath away. In addition to the walking pathway from the home to the stream, we also carved a hiking path adjacent to the stream called EDEN, so that you can walk along its banks and admire the waterfalls. And most recently, we added a firepit near the home.
Bramabella is also rich with wildlife as it is not uncommon to see deer, wild turkeys, bunny rabbits and an innumerable amount of birds. In fact, bird-watching from the deck is a lovely experience, and one of my favorite activities on the property.
Bramabella is a short 5 minute drive (4.2 miles) from the flourishing wedding venue Big R Orchards, so if you have a wedding booked there, we would be a perfect place to stay, as it is just a short drive up the mountain. Tevepaugh Orchards, a neighbor of Big Orchards, is another wonderful place to stop, especially for freshly picked apples and peaches, which are sold in their charming, old-timey, apple-house. Tevepaugh is even closer to Bramabella, being only 2.2 miles away. Perry Lowe Orchards is an orchard that caters to those who want to indulge in the autumnal rite of apple picking. Does it get any more charming? And Perry Lowe Orchards is just 20 minutes away (16.7 miles) from Bramabella. And if mountain-biking and trout-fishing are your thing, then check out Cub Creek Park just 10 minutes (8.3 miles) from the Estate. It was just recently renovated to include a playground for children as well as a fishing pier to take advantage of the hatchery supported waters. The grand opening of the new features is October of 2023.
Additionally, if you are a Nascar-Talladega Nights-Ricky Bobby fan, The North Wilkesboro Speedway seems poised to make a comeback, and Bramabella is a mere 10 minutes away (5.7 miles) from the track. Prayer Mountain located in Moravian Falls is a 15 to 20 minute drive (13.7 miles) from Bramabella. Stone Mountain State Park, known for its granite dome, is one of my all-time favorite hiking venues and is about a 45 minute drive (30.6 miles) from Bramabella.
Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, collectively known as The High Country is about a 50 minute drive (42.0 miles) from the property. Cobo Sushi in Boone on Howard Street is my favorite restaurant to venture to when I am heading to The High Country, but Bistro Roca, and Gideon Ridge in Blowing Rock and Artisanal in Banner Elk are not far behind. And for pure aesthetics Artisanal in Banner Elk is in a league of its own. If you want to go East instead of West, Winston-Salem is about 45 minutes East (56.6 miles) and is also a fun day-trip. Reynolda Gardens located at Wake Forest University is probably my favorite place to visit in Winston-Salem.
But in all honesty, you may not want to leave Bramabella itself for The High Country or Winston Salem, as just being on the property is rewarding. I often times indulge in 'hours of idleness' within the home-garden encircling the home. The butterfly-home-garden was designed in the Romantic English Garden sensibility, rich in color and contrast. We wanted profusions, and explosions of color all throughout the various seasons. And in fact, we are certified by The North American Butterfly Association as a registered butterfly habitat. Within the garden is a non-functioning observatory, which adds a unique architectural folly to the garden. Furthermore, it shows that the property is a spectacular setting for star-gazing. If you are by nature a Dreamer, you will be in your natural element as you will be amongst the clouds and the stars. Whether you are a Dreamer or not, you will be amazed at how many stars you can see on clear evenings up in the Brushies (the mountain range). In closing, Bramabella isn't merely lodging, but an experience unto itself.
Upstairs: Bedroom 1: King Bed | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | Bedroom 3: 1 Full Bed, 1 Twin Bed |
Downstairs: Bedroom 4: King Bed Bedroom 5: Queen Bed
OUTDOOR LIVING: Front porch w/ rocking chairs, back porch w/ table/chairs, formal butterfly garden by the home, hillside vineyard, home vineyard, blueberry orchard, open meadow, stream with waterfalls, hiking paths throughout the property, picnic tables and benches throughout,
INDOOR LIVING: 3 Amazon Smart TVs, 2 decorative electric fireplaces (the upstairs one has a heat setting, the other is decorative), foosball table, ceiling fans, laptop-friendly workspaces with 1 gig internet with wifi extenders, board games, phone charging stations,
KITCHEN: Fully equipped large kitchen with butcher block countertops, Cuisinart drip coffee and tea maker, keurig, toaster, cooking basics, ice maker in fridge
GENERAL: Free WiFi, central & electric heating, central A/C, washer/dryer, linens/towels, complimentary shampoo/bodywash/conditioner, laundry detergent, hair dryer, clothing steamer, hangers, trash bags/paper towels
FAQ: 4 exterior security cameras (facing front outdoor entryway, back outdoor entryway, side entryway and downstairs entryway), supervision suggested for young children
SUITABILITY: Stairs required for entry, full interior, and backyard access
PARKING: (4 vehicles) 2 in front of the red-barn garage and 2 behind the house
DRIVING: Since we are in the foothills of the Brushy Mountains, we recommend a vehicle with 4WD or AWD, especially since the driveway is incline; however, this adds to the alpine charm of the property, for as you climb the driveway approaching the home, you feel as if you are leaving the worries and stresses of the world behind.
"To beautify the Earth is the supreme Art." - Pietros Maneos
"Beauty, and its pursuit, is sustaining." - Pietros Maneos
"I miss North Carolina so much that... No, that is the wrong way of describing it: I do not merely âmissâ North Carolina. I ache for it. There is a difference.â - Pietros Maneos
The entire home and the entire 40 acres.
I won't be available in person, but am available on the platform to ensure that guests have an amazing time at Bramabella.
Escape to North Carolina wine country in this 40 acre, 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, woodland wonder hidden in The Brushy Mountains: blueberries, butterflies, birds, vines, formal gardens, walking trails, vineyards, a serene stream and dramatic waterfalls await. Near Raffaldini Vineyards, Piccione Vineyards, Big R Orchards, Laurel Gray Vineyards, Windsor Run Vineyards, Shadow Springs Vineyards, Dynamis Estate, Elkin Creek Vineyards and Dobbins Creek Vineyards. It is also 15 minutes away from downtown North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro, and only 10 minutes from the newly renovated North Wilkesboro Speedway.
