Thursday, October 1, 2026
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Vale, NC (WNN) - On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Woodmill Winery Fall Festival carried on as planned, despite the devastating fire that struck the winery just a few weeks ago.
The festival, which featured vendors, food trucks, live music, and wine tastings, became more than just a community gathering; it symbolized resilience and hope for the winery's future. Staff member Michelle Lentz shared that the community has played a key role in keeping spirits high. She emphasized that events like Spooktacular and the annual Christmas Festival will still occur. "The community has totally been behind us," she said.
Owner Larry Cagle Jr. reflected on the aftermath of the fire. "Our cross, our flag, and our faith are still standing strong," he said, noting that while the physical loss was great, the winery's values remain firmly intact.
One of the most talked-about aspects of the festival was the introduction of the survivor wine bottles. After the fire was put out, staff discovered around 800 bottles that remained untouched (labels, corks, and all) despite the loss of 357,000 total bottles. Although the heat rendered the wine unsuitable for consumption, Cagle decided to sell them as commemorative keepsakes labeled "Not For Human Consumption". He personally signs each bottle to remember what was lost and celebrate what survived.
The Fall Festival marked a significant step toward progress, but Cagle is already looking ahead to rebuilding. He has kept staff employed, simply shifting responsibilities, and worked tirelessly on new designs for the winery. "I can't sleep, so I get up and draw," he said, noting he has remimagined the plans eight times. The new design will maintain the winery's size but feature upgrades such as a concrete outdoor patio and an expanded event space.
The fire, though devastating, has brought statewide attention to Woodmill Winery. Cagle has temporarily outsourced muscadines to stay afloat. He said that in order for the winery to survive, they have to shorten their wine production process from the standard three years to an eight-month turnaround in light of their current circumstances.
Woodmill Winery is still a farm at its heart, continuing to grow, distribute, and sell its own wine. While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, the determination of its staff is evident. The winery will rebuild stronger than before.
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