In all your excitement to start your summer vacation, did you leave your favorite beach bag at home? Do you need a gift for the hostess of your Outer Banks vacation? How about something cute to wear to dinner? Don’t worry – the folks at The Cotton Gin have got you more than covered!
For more than 60 years, the Wright family, long-time owners and proprietors of The Cotton Gin, has been supplying Outer Banks residents and visitors with stylish clothing and accessories, charming coastal decor, beach-day supplies and top-notch gifts.
At The Cotton Gin locations in Corolla, Duck and Nags Head, you’ll find everything you need to refresh your wardrobe, decorate your space or bring your Outer Banks vacation back home with you.
Check out fresh releases from brands you know and love, like Simply Southern, VIneyard Vines, Southern Tide, Pandora and Vera Bradley. The Cotton Gin has many new brands, including Stanley, Dark Seas, Qualified Captain and Katie, and is adding more all the time.
The Wright family’s desire to serve the Outer Banks community doesn’t stop with their retail offerings. In 2002 the Wright family decided to expand into new territory: growing grapes and making wine. At their family farm in Jarvisburg, on The Northern Outer Banks Mainland, is their award-winning Sanctuary Vineyards, a sprawling 25 acres of coastal vineyards bursting with native, French and Italian grapes.
Summer at the vineyard is a particularly special season, and here’s what you can expect.
Acoustic Sunset Winedowns
Every Thursday night from April through September, Sanctuary Vineyards hosts its Acoustic Sunset Winedown, an evening full of great live music, food trucks and Sanctuary Vineyards wine. The event is free to attend and pet and family friendly. Better yet, each Acoustic Sunset Winedown benefits a different local charity or organization that supports the Outer Banks community, from the Beach Food Pantry to the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
Vineyard Voyages
For wine lovers looking for an adventurous tasting experience, Sanctuary Vineyards offers a Vineyard Voyage in collaboration with Kitty Hawk Kites. You’ll depart from Duck by boat and cross the Currituck Sound, heading to the vineyard. Once you arrive on land, you’ll travel by 4x4 through stunning marshlands to the vineyard, where a private wine tasting and tour will commence. You’ll learn all about Sanctuary’s wine-making process, meet the brains behind the operation and engage with the history of North Carolina wines.
The Vineyard Voyage offers daytime or sunset cruises as well as private tours for large parties. It’s no surprise that these tours book up quickly, so be sure to call early and secure your place!
Wine Tastings
You can taste and purchase wine at Sanctuary Vineyards’ tasting room in Jarvisburg (you can even pre-order a charcuterie board to accompany your tasting) or at The Cotton Gin locations in Corolla, Duck and Nags Head.
No trip to the Outer Banks is complete without a stop at Sanctuary Vineyards and The Cotton Gin. Take a break from the beach and visit one of The Cotton Gin’s many locations, and be sure to grab a bottle of Sanctuary Vineyards wine to enjoy while you’re here!
(252) 491-2387
7005 Caratoke Highway, Jarvisburg
sanctuaryvineyards.com
Jarvisburg: (252) 491-2387 | 6957 Caratoke Highway
Corolla: (252) 453-4446 | TimBuck II
Duck: (252) 261-2387 | 1185 Duck Road
Nags Head: (252) 449-2387 | The Bypass, MP 14.5
About the Author Leah Wingenroth
Leah was born and raised on the Outer Banks and is an alumnus of Appalachian State University and King's College. She currently resides in England, writing and managing content in the lifestyle, education, travel and literary publishing sectors.
