Part local landmark, part coastal lifestyle shop, The Cotton Gin has been part of the Outer Banks for decades. With locations in Corolla, Duck and Nags Head, the stores are both trusted locals’ favorites for gifts and fine goods and a longstanding shopping tradition for generations of Outer Banks vacationers.
What keeps shoppers coming back to The Cotton Gin is its mix of easygoing Outer Banks charm and high-quality goods. The stores are packed with name-brand coastal decor, gifts, jewelry, clothing, gourmet foods and home accents that feel like taking a piece of the beach home with you. Shopping at The Cotton Gin is a curated experience that should be high on any vacation bucket list.
One of the highlights of a trip to The Cotton Gin is the opportunity to sample wines from their sister business, Sanctuary Vineyards.
Just a stone’s throw over the Wright Memorial Bridge, Sanctuary Vineyards is a beautiful working vineyard producing award-winning, European-style vinifera wines grown right here in coastal North Carolina – a pleasant surprise you may not expect to find so close to the beach.
If you get a chance to sample Sanctuary Vineyards’ wines at a Cotton Gin tasting station or at a local wine shop or restaurant, you’ll definitely want to head over to the vineyard and tasting room to enjoy wine tastings, tours, charcuterie pairings and special events. One of the favorite ways to experience Sanctuary Vineyards is via the Vineyard Voyage – a wine-tasting and boating adventure across Currituck Sound from Duck to Jarvisburg.
Summer at Sanctuary Vineyards offers a relaxed retreat from the busy beach communities. Their popular Acoustic Sunset Wine Down Thursdays run throughout the summer with live music, food trucks, wine and beer and sunset views. The events are family-friendly, pet-friendly and unfussy, perfect for an evening that the whole crew can enjoy. Sanctuary Vineyards also hosts seasonal and pop-up events that bring together locals and visitors to celebrate local food and drink.
The Wright family, owners of Sanctuary Vine yards and The Cotton Gin, has been in the area for generations, and their storied history is evident in the way they run their businesses. These two businesses reflect a deep appreci ation for the local culture, which they love sharing with others. Spend a day exploring The Cotton Gin and Sanctuary Vineyards and you’ll experience a side of the Outer Banks that feels a little more local, a little more memorable and a lot of fun for the whole family.
Whether you’re browsing for a new favorite bottle of wine, picking up something to remind you of your summer vacation or soaking up the tunes at an Acoustic Sunset Wine Down, The Cotton Gin and Sanctuary Vineyards are classic Outer Banks stops that you’ll want to return to year after year.
ACOUSTIC SUNSET WINE DOWN
Every Thursday | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Live music, food trucks, local wine and beer
Sanctuary Vineyards Jarvisburg
(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.
