Toast A Local Favorite
From Dreams to Fruition: The Story of Island Winery Toast
A LOCAL FAVORITE There is a secret garden on Hilton Head, with ancient live oaks, classic palmettos and other lush, Low Country vegetation serving as both walls and adornment. The picnic tables on this lovely half acre are spread out enough for privacy, but sit close enough to enjoy the drifting voices and laughter not swallowed by the trees. It’s an intimate spot, perfect for listening to live music, enjoying a picnic, gathering with friends and tasting exquisite local wines.
A quaint red building overlooking the path to the garden appears to be a traditional barn. It isn’t. The inside is brand new, boasting a state-of-the-art ventilation system, highceilings and large windows. This is Island Winery. The dream of this place began years ago, when Georgene and Loren Mortimer first met at Ithaca College, in the heart of New York State’s Finger Lakes Wine Region. Loren has a deep passion for world-class wines and Georgene grew up in a big, Italian family where wine making is a way of life.
“We should have known that wine making was in our future when so many of our dates were in the region’s wineries and vineyards!” Georgene says with a laugh. In the spring of 2000, Loren and Georgene decided to turn their family pastime into a family business. They established the Westfall Winery at the Mortimer family’s historic Westfall Farm in Montague, NJ. Georgene made use of her background in biology and geology and her PhD in Environmental Science to refine their wine making skills, and before too long, Westfall was producing award-winning wines. But Westfall Winery was a seasonal business, so Georgene and Loren began to spend the cold winters in their favorite place, Hilton Head Island. And, like so many before them, they fell in love with the charming island community.
In 2006, they started Island Winery. Now, after more than ten years of dividing their time between New Jersey and South Carolina, they are permanently settled on Hilton Head, and devote 100% of their time to Island Winery. “We are so excited,” says Georgene. “This is exactly where we want to be!”
Island Winery’s popular wine tastings begin with the opportunity to taste and learn about a wide variety of wines served by a knowledgeable and friendly staff. Its small-batch wines are handcrafted using freshly imported grapes from world-renowned vineyards, and their LowCountry Specialty Wines are made from local grapes, fruit and honey. Once you’ve tasted their wines, you are invited to enjoy your favorites in the tasting room, on the patio or in the picnic area, which is pet and family friendly. You can even use a delivery app to bringHilton Head’s finest offerings right to your table at the winery!
Whether you’re a connoisseur, curious to learn more, or you simply enjoy the occasional glassof wine with your favorite foods,Island Winery is not to be missed. You are all invited to its stunning new location at 15 Cardinal Road. There really is no better way to spend the day!
