Sanctuary Vineyards is just a small part of an exciting Outer Banks destination - your wedding.
Sanctuary Vineyards is just a small part of an exciting Outer Banks destination - your wedding.
Our vineyards are greeted by brilliant sunrises and kissed by ocean breezes. Placid spring conditions and summer hurricanes both nurture and threaten the grapes. Sanctuary Vineyards is just a small part of an exciting Outer Banks destination - your wedding. Each year life begins anew on our estate, let’s start yours here.
For seven generations the Wright Family has called coastal Currituck County home. Much has changed since original settler Jacob Wright shipwrecked on the shores of Duck, but the family still honors the farming tradition established hundreds of years ago, Sanctuary Vineyards is the product of centuries of farming experience and a dedication to a dream - producing world-class wines in Currituck County.
Pictured from left to right: Tommy, Jerry and John Wright.
When our ancestors first settled here, vineyards usually consisted of a single muscadine vine in the backyard, the source of sweet fruit destined for jams, juice and the occasional jug of homebrew. However, the popularity of muscadine grapes soon grew, due to their affinity for the Carolina soils and unparalleled flavor. The period between the Civil War and Prohibition was a renaissance for North Carolina, when it led the country in wine production and became world renowned for its sweet elixirs.
Pictured above: John Wright with his family.
Our family created this estate to begin a new wine tradition - brothers Tommy and Jerry Wright (and new generation John Wright) are using age-old methods to coax the sweetest fruit from these coastal sands. Welcome to Sanctuary Vineyards…
The Winery is located at 7005 Caratoke Highway in Jarvisburg, NC. We are open 7 days a week, Monday - Saturday from 10am - 6pm and Sunday from 12pm - 6pm. The winery offers light picnic fare such as breads, cheeses, etc. in addition to tastings.
For more information please call 252.491-2387.
Sanctuary Vineyards is located on a quaint seaside farm where you are likely to see rows of corn competing with Cabernet and migratory snow geese nesting among the Sangiovese. Ten acres of grapes are nestled among hundreds of acres of farmland and wildlife impoundments that we like to call "The Sanctuary." Varieties include: Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Norton and the classic Muscadine.
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
North Block
Our North Block features two acres of Norton and Sangiovese grapes, planted in the spring of 2002. The Norton (also known as Cynthiana) is a native American red grape. It has a tendency toward vigorous growth and is planted on a divided canopy system. The Sangiovese is a classic Italian red grape and is a component of Chianti and other traditional Italian reds. The Sangiovese prospers in hot conditions, and we believe it can produce good fruit during long, humid Currituck summers.
These grapes ripen in the intense heat of the Outer Banks summer, tempered by cooling breezes from the nearby Atlantic. The ancient sand dunes where they stand offer excellent drainage and contribute unique flavor to the ripening fruit. The combination of good earth, sun and sky is what the French would call "terroir." It all translates to good growing here at Sanctuary Vineyards.
The South Block at dsuk. Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
South Block
Our South Block sits adjacent to the Cotton Gin and is landmarked by a large windmill that towers over the surrounding farmland. Here we have two acres of Traminette and Chardonel grapes planted in rich, sandy soil. Both are French hybrid grapes, consisting of traditional, old world grape varieties crossed with sturdier American vines to create a plant that can thrive in "New World" growing conditions. The Traminette is based on Gewurtztraminer, a white grape planted widely in the Rhine region of Germany, where it produces a wine with crisp acidity but with a distinct sweetness reminiscent of Riesling. The Chardonel is bred from Chardonnay, and will produce wines with the same varietal character and rich fruit flavors.
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
We invite you to explore all the possibilities that Sanctuary Vineyards holds for your special day.
We invite you to explore all the possibilities that Sanctuary Vineyards holds for your special day.
Choosing Sanctuary Vineyards is just the beginning. We offer packages that combine all of our greatest flavors, or build the perfect blend that suits your taste!
Choosing Sanctuary Vineyards is just the beginning. We offer packages that combine all of our greatest flavors, or build the perfect blend that suits your taste!
Rehearsal & Dinner: Four hours of exclusive grounds rental for rehearsal and dinner (active time.)
Wedding & Reception: Eight hours of exclusive grounds rental for wedding and reception (active time.)
Fixtures: 30’ x 60’ Flexframe Tent (wedding), Use of SV Chairs, Tables and Decorative Lighting
Services: Concierge Service, Complimentary Bartenders, Vineyard Hayride for Wedding Party+Guests, VIP Tasting/Tour for up to 25, 25% Discount on Wine
$8500
Rehearsal & Dinner: Two hours of exclusive grounds rental for rehearsal and dinner (active time.)
Wedding & Reception: Six hours of exclusive grounds rental for wedding and reception (active time.)
Fixtures: 30’ x 60’ Flexframe Tent (wedding), Use of SV Chairs, Tables and Decorative Lighting
Services: Concierge Service, Vineyard Hayride for Wedding Party+Guests, 20% Discount on Wine
$6500
Wedding & Reception: Six hours of exclusive grounds rental for wedding and reception (active time.)
Fixtures: 30’ x 60’ Flexframe Tent (wedding), Use of SV Chairs, Tables and Decorative Lighting
Services: Concierge Service
$4500
Rental of grounds and winery only for five hours.
$3000
See what other happy couples had to say about their experience at Sanctuary Vineyards on their special day.
See what other happy couples had to say about their experience at Sanctuary Vineyards on their special day.
Everything about Sanctuary Vineyards makes it an ideal place to have a wedding from every individual that works there to the vast picturesque landscape to the delectable wines.
When my then-fiancé and I got engaged, we originally thought that we would have to get married in another area to have the country-chic wedding that I aspired. Living on the Outer Banks, we know we did not want the stereotypical beach wedding, but instead wanted a rustic, party wedding. While doing research about wedding venues, I came across Sanctuary Vineyards and, for the first time, considered that we may actually get to have my dream wedding close to home. From the moment we walked into Sanctuary to tour it, before John Wright, the owner, even started talking about weddings, I know it was the place. It didn’t take my now-husband long to decide he loved it either. As soon as he walked in the large area, where our reception would be, lined with fermenting tanks and barrels, he was sold. It is the most unique and simply-beautiful place inside and out. The grounds have extraordinary photography opportunities with the various vineyards, “antique” vehicles attractively overgrown with vines, the charming hay ride, and the rustic barn structures.
The planning process there is a blast. We visited Sanctuary Vineyards for all the events that they hosted, like the Crab Daddy and Curri-Shuck, which were fun and gave us some ideas for how we wanted to set up our big day. When the big day finally came, the weather was risky, so we decided to move the ceremony into the same room where the reception was. IT WAS STUNNING! It was so wonderful and comforting having a back-up option that was just as gorgeous as it would have been to get married in the vineyard. The barrels and tanks make for an intriguingly, beautiful backdrop. Thankfully, after the ceremony, the rain stopped so we were able to take pictures outside. As we left on our hay ride for pictures, the guests were moved from the ceremony area to the front bar area for cocktail hour while the ceremony was broken down and the reception was set up. Once again, I was amazed by how simply-gorgeous that room could be.
Everything about Sanctuary Vineyards makes it an ideal place to have a wedding from every individual that works there to the vast picturesque landscape to the delectable wines. We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect place to get married and we are grateful every day for John Wright and his team for allowing us and many other couples the opportunity to enjoy the best day of their lives there. We greatly recommend every couple to get married there if they want their big day to be the best day of their lives, like ours was.
We couldn’t have asked for a better venue (or better wine) than what we experienced at Sanctuary!
John and his staff at Sanctuary Vineyards are the best at what they do. When my wife and I came in to visit the venue, we needed about 5 minutes before we had decided where we wanted to get married. John does an amazing job of explaining every aspect of how a wedding will go on the day of. He has an answer to almost every question, and when he doesn't, he finds it out for you immediately. John has turned an already great wine business into one of the best wedding venues in the Outer Banks. If you are looking for a venue that provides an excellent inside and outside option, if you are looking for a venue that you will be happy with the day after the wedding, and if you are looking for a wedding venue that friends and family will love, then you should choose Sanctuary Vineyards. -Will
We had such a wonderful time planning for our wedding and rehearsal dinner at Sanctuary. John and all of the staff members are the nicest people and it was such a pleasure working with them. We couldn't have asked for a better venue (or better wine) than what we experienced at Sanctuary! Highly recommend Sanctuary Vineyards to EVERY bride! -Tori
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
Sanctuary Vineyards was the perfect location for our wedding. From day one John was very gracious in providing us tons of information and was happy to answer any and all questions leading up to the event. Not only was he informative, but also not pushy in any way making us decide this venue or any particular vendor.
A few days before and leading up were seamless. Everyone was open to us providing decor and was helpful in making everything happen as we wanted to. Winery staff and bartenders could not be more helpful and fun day of. The event and ceremony space itself are also very inclusive of almost everything you would need. It was great not having to rent chairs, tables, etc. adding to yet another thing on your to do list.
The venue is also very beautiful and the perfect backdrop for a wedding. The wine is also delicious and well received among the guests!
John Wright and his entire staff at Sanctuary Vineyards were a pleasure to work with. From the initial start of the wedding planning process they were attentive, easy to work with and seemed truly excited to host our wedding. They catered to all of our needs and desires, went out of their way to make sure every detail was perfect and were always pleasant and professional. I would highly recommend Sanctuary Vineyards as a casual yet elegant venue for weddings and events.
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
Planning our wedding at Sanctuary Vineyards was so much more relaxed and simpler than we could have ever thought that portion of wedding planning could be.
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
My husband and I were married in October at Sanctuary Vineyards and could not have been more pleased with our selection of ceremony and reception site. From beginning to end, our experience with Sanctuary Vineyards through John and his team was a stress free pleasure. Our communication with John was prompt and helpful. Not only was John a great contact person for the ceremony and reception site, he was a knowledgeable source of information for all of our wedding planning details.
Planning our wedding at Sanctuary Vineyards was so much more relaxed and simple than we could have thought that portion of wedding planning could be. John was extremely accommodating to all of our ideas and plans. We were even able to have our dog be the ring bearer in our wedding, something I am sure not many venues would allow.
In our opinion, one of the best aspects of having our ceremony at Sanctuary Vineyards was that we were able to set up the reception site the day before. We cannot tell you how much stress this took off of not only us but our friends and family. Just knowing that everything was setup and exactly the way we wanted it, the day before the wedding, made the wedding day enjoyable and relaxing.
The ceremony site and reception site were both the two best backdrops for our wedding that we could have ever imagined. We were married outside in the vineyard with the vines and grapes all around us. Not only was this a romantic location, it made for the most beautiful wedding photos. After the ceremony, we moved to the reception site which was inside of the actual winery where the wine is made. They layout of this space is so well suited to a wedding reception that the flow of the entire evening was seamless. The contemporary decor, lent itself to our wedding theme by complimenting our details rather than detracting. Oh, and the wine! We served wine made at Sanctuary Vineyards which added such a cool, local vibe. The guests raved about how amazing the wine tasted. Some even came back the following day to get bottles to bring home!
We had the perfect wedding day made possible by John and his team at Sanctuary Vineyards. We would choose this venue again and will in the future for our next big event!
Throughout the years I've been traveling down highway 158 South to head to the Outer Banks for fun getaways. In the spring of 2011 I noticed beautiful rows of grape vines and a sign that said ‘Sanctuary Vineyards’. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to check out this vineyard and see what this place offered. The website was very modern and I immediately fell in love with the pictures of the sunsets, grape vines, harvest and the rustic feel of this place. I knew I had to visit one day! At the time I was engaged and looking for a wedding venue. I loved the Outer Banks and found some very nice venues but nothing that felt just right for a rustic venue that could be both as simple or glamorous as I wanted to make it. I decided to call Sanctuary Vineyards and was directed to John Wright, the owner / wine connoisseur, who told me he was just starting to offer some weddings there on the grounds and in the almost completed winery building. I had a feeling this was meant to be. I scheduled a tour with John and with my mother and aunt in tow we ventured out to Sanctuary Vineyards. I couldn't have been happier with the way that John Wright answered all of our questions (many repeats!) and how patient he was with us. We toured the winery, sampled wine from the vats and barrels, walked through the grapevines and talked about possible set up scenarios. I knew immediately that this was it! I loved everything about the wide open fields and the surrounding vineyard rows. My favorite part – I could walk through the rows of vines to get to the altar!
I can truly say that throughout the entire process John Wright and his staff were very accommodating and as a bride it’s nice to feel like everything is organized and communication lines are open. He was especially helpful suggesting catering, wine choices, etc. We liked the winery so much that we decided to have our rehearsal dinner in the bar area with soft music playing, wine flowing - surrounded by wine barrels, beautiful photography and friends and family.
The day of the wedding was amazing. There were some very unexpected high winds and this caused me to be uneasy about the ceremony outside. John Wright was more than willing to move everything inside, however, in the end I chose to stick it out and get married in the field by the rows of vines as I’d always wanted. A hayride was arranged and transported the new Mr. and Mrs. to the winery along with our wedding party. The winery was set up beautifully with mason jars and soft light – simple, yet elegant with black and white accents. The reception was so much fun and I've had so many of our guests tell us what a fun and memorable venue it was. I’m so happy I chose Sanctuary Vineyards to celebrate such a special time. Sanctuary Vineyards has become more than just a venue to me because of the wonderful people like John Wright, his family and staff that are so professional but still have that southern warmth. I always feel welcome when I drop in!
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
I couldn’t have been happier with the way that John Wright answered all of our questions (many repeats!) and how patient he was with us. We toured the winery, sampled wine from the vats and barrels, walked through the grapevines and talked about possible set up scenarios. I knew immediately that this was it!
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
We would love to hear how we can help make Sanctuary Vineyards your perfect wedding venue. Send us a message and share with us your vision!
We would love to hear how we can help make Sanctuary Vineyards your perfect wedding venue. Send us a message and share with us your vision!
Photography by Brooke Mayo Photographers
We are proud to offer a Special DISCOUNT when you book both Sanctuary Vineyards and Brooke Mayo Photographers for your wedding day.
We are proud to offer a Special DISCOUNT when you book both Sanctuary Vineyards and Brooke Mayo Photographers for your wedding day.
We love nothing more than capturing love and happiness, and documenting all your laughter, tears and smiles. We want to capture YOU.
Brooke Mayo, Owner/Lead Photographer of Brooke Mayo Photographers
Candace Owens, Photographer with Brooke Mayo Photographers
Contact our studio today at 252.599.0720, or email us for bookings, availability and pricing.
Book both Sanctuary Vineyards and Brooke Mayo Photographers and receive a $1000 total discount on your wedding!