Appalachian Vintner Inc. is co-owned by brothers Geoffrey and Charles Alexander. Taking a small production and artisnal approach has been the cornerstone of both of their experience and success in the world of fine libation. Learning at a young age that bigger is not always better, and taking a clean uncluttered stance in every form of life engenders a success worth all the time in the world. Wine is in their blood, some of the oldest grape varieties grown on this native North Carolinian soil bore the name of their ancestors, Alexander. Spending summers with family, while their parents where flying around the globe visiting other countries and experiencing those wine cultures. Always returning with stories, and photographs of vines and bottles of wine produced from them. Helping their uncle Rick bottle his craft brewed jalapeno  beer during their teenage years, before the real craft beer scene was even a thought in most brew masters minds. The platform was set, the gears were turning.

Then after 20 years working in some of the finest country clubs on the east coast, Jim Alexander their father, decided to open Zebra. A life-long dream and the largest part of the puzzle had been placed. Opening in 2001 Zebra hit the Charlotte wine and food scene by storm. The largest wine list in town, and a new approach to traditional French cuisine, was exactly what foodies were looking for. After a stint at AB Tech’s culinary school, Charles joined the ranks first as dishwasher, then as prep/line cook and finally when the chance arose, dinning room manager. Geoff’s first position at Zebra was also as dishwasher, then he tried his hand at cooking. Later with the help and guidance of his father, he decided that perhaps his skills lie else where. Returning to Charlotte after a year in Asheville and two years in Florida for college, Geoff jumped on the offer to assit in the day to day operations of the restaurant along side his brother. It was a single bottle of dry Portuguese wine from the Douro that renewed their interest in fine wine. Wine dinners, tastings, staff training, reading and of course… drinking, followed. Mesmerised by the depth of knowledge available with-in the craft of wine, they thrived in the pages of Zebras’ monstrous wine list. It was during these next few years that the idea of opening a wine shop blossomed.

All the while learning and growing, they both urned for a place closer to their hearts. The mountains of North Carolina had always been a place of peace and fulfillment. Cultured, artistic, friendly, Asheville was all of these things and it had been missed deeply for years. That was what was missing, Asheville. A place where farmers markets thrive in a bustling downtown, where international wine and foods and ideals are embraced. This was the place to make a home and put years of passion to the canvas. Looking at a map of Asheville, the brothers decided that Biltmore Village was where the space should be, and that local foods, and art should accompany the international wine and beers they were so happy to sell. Asheville after all is where we all lay our heads, and local is what keeps the concrete just far enough away. Stop by and say hello they would love to hear your story too and help you on your journey of libation.