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Vale, NC (WNN) - A massive fire broke out at Woodmill Winery on Sunday morning, August 31st. Many fire departments were on scene. The Union Volunteer Fire Department received a dispatch call around 8 a.m. for a fire alarm at the winery, located off of John Beam Road in Vale.
The Union County Fire Chief, Colt Henderson, said his deputy chief checked around and noticed a column of black smoke rising from the area. “He immediately went ahead and requested a full structure fire response, which gave us additional departments,” Henderson said.
Henderson, one of the first officers to arrive, said that there were heavy fire conditions on the roof and all sides of the structure. There were no hydrants nearby, so firefighters relied on a tanker shuttle system. There was also a pond on site that firefighters were drafting water from for fire operations.
As of 2 PM, firefighters had transitioned into an overhaul stage. They were pulling apart debris to expose hidden flames. "So right now we're in an overhaul mode," Henderson said. "So we are currently trying to access any fire that debris may have fallen onto, where we can fully get everything extinguished."
In a Facebook post, Millwood Winery has confirmed the building was destroyed.
WoodMill Winery's Facebook Post. August 31st, 2025.
WoodMill Winery
"As many of you have heard, WoodMill Winery caught on fire this morning and has burned down." The statement said. "Everyone is safe. Thank you for all of the messages, thoughts, and prayers. We are currently unaware of what caused the fire, but we will be rebuilding."
According to their official website, WoodMill Vineyard is about 1,100 feet above sea level and located on a plateau about 300 feet above and to the west of the piedmont region in North Carolina. In the spring of 2001, it started as a half-acre planting of about 100 vines. Throughout the years, the Vineyard has expanded to 40 acres and about 9,000 vines. They produce Muscadine, Scuppernong, blueberry, blackberry, and special-blend wines.
The view from the Woodmill Winery deck to the music venue "Woodmill Music Works" in Vale, NC. May 5th, 2024
Rusty Wise (WNN)
There were about eight area departments that responded to the call. Those include Union, North Brook, Howard’s Creek, and Maiden fire departments. Lincoln County EMS and the Lincoln County Fire Marshal’s Office also responded.
This is a developing story. WNN will provide updates as they become available.
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