Deep Water Vineyard: Uniquely South Carolina (with a Slight California Twist!)

Nestled about 35 minutes south of Charleston is the serene hamlet of Wadmalaw Island. Here you will find the area’s only winery, Deep Water Vineyard. Visitors are greeted by its expansive and well stocked shop in front, and genuine Southern hospitality. Established in 2001 by Jim and Ann Irvin and now owned by Jesse and Andrea Freiwald, among the wines it currently produces are five estates plus three whites that are a blend of the vineyard’s own grapes and wine from Miramont Estate Vineyards in Linden, California. Deep Water bottles and labels the finished product. “Miramont sends us wines that are semi-fermented, and we finish the process here,” said Tiffany Picheco, Deep Water’s manager.

“Our original owners, the Irvins, planted four different varietals of the muscadine grape. The Tara and the Carlos Scuppernong, and then the Ison and Noble muscadines,” she continued. Scuppernong is the name for the lighter varietals of muscadine, the only grape that will grow in the Charleston area due to the climate. “It’s too humid and too wet to grow any other wine grape.” Since wines made from these grapes are best consumed fresh and are not aging wines, there is no need for the addition of lots of sulfites.

“Magnolia, which is our estate white along with Low Tide, has been our best seller,” said Picheco. “It’s a sweeter white, and goes well with sharp cheeses, fruit, and spicy dishes.” This wine was the International Bronze winner in 2016 at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, having competed against 37 different countries.

Low Tide, a semi-dry estate white, compliments shellfish and seafood. Lowcountry Red, a local estate semi-dry red best compared to a light Merlot, is made from the Ison variety grape. “It goes well with anything that has aged balsamic vinegar, barbecue dishes or brisket,” said Picheco. Another red that is a blend of muscadine and California Cabernet is the Sea Island Red, a dry wine that pairs well with peppered steak and stir fry.

Deep Water only retails its wines in the Charleston area to eight local wine shops. “We do ship nationally, but just to people’s homes,” said Picheco. “You can order from our website via phone. We also offer a 10 percent discount on a case, as well as a military discount for active and inactive personnel who show ID at the vineyard.”

Deep Water Vineyard is family friendly, and hosts four festivals a year, including a grape stomp event and a Lucille Ball lookalike contest. (An ode to the famous I Love Lucy wine making episode.) Indeed, the famous redhead also features prominently as the namesake of Deep Water’s strawberry wine, named “Have a Ball Lucille,” for which the winery uses local strawberries from nearby Ambrose Family Farm. Dark chocolate is Picheco’s pairing pick for this wine. “Come winter we do a blueberry wine featuring local blueberries,” she added. Deep Water is also looking to produce mead and a cider to add to its offerings.

The winery also hosts events such as bachelorette parties and birthdays.

*At present, due to Covid19, “We are open for tastings but just have to control the crowd,” said Andrea Freiwald. The winery’s gift shop is open and to-go wine purchases are available.

Visit deepwatervineyard.com for more information.