by TM Petaccia

JoLo Brands, LLC, a subsidiary of JoLo Winery & Vineyards, has finalized its purchase of RayLen Vineyards and Winery. Originally founded by Joe and Joyce Neely in 1999 in Mocksville, RayLen will be rebranded as Rayson Winery & Vineyards. JoLo was founded by JW Ray in 2013 and operates its 80-acre vineyard and winery located in Pilot Mountain. The current ownership of JoLo will be managing the day-to-day operations, winemaking, and guest services at Rayson.

The new owners have announced plans to focus more on single-varietal wine offerings, with the first being a non-vintage petit verdot using grapes harvested and fermented on the property in 2021 and 2022. The winery’s tasting notes describe it as “layered with flavors of dark fruit, minerals, slate, toasted spices, and mocha. The tannins are firm but polished, with a vibrant mid-palate.”

Also new is the opening of Bistro Europa, under executive chef Daniel Zbiegien, most recently at Twisted Pine in Winston-Salem. The addition of food matches the winery’s plans to expand the vineyard as a more agritourism destination.

Other plans include expanding the tasting room with larger tasting bars, more seating, and private tasting rooms. The second-floor “Founders Reserve Club” Member’s Lounge will also be renovated.

The vineyard is currently closed while the transition goes through final state and federal regulatory approvals. A soft reopening under the new name is anticipated on Saturday, December 2.

In an email to RayLen’s supporters, founder Joyce Neely said, “While it is the end of an era, it is also the start of a new chapter. We look forward as a family to supporting the NC wine industry from the customer side of the counter.”

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