Sanctuary Vineyards

What Sanctuary Vineyards does

Sanctuary Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery operating from a 10-acre vineyard at 7005 Caratoke Highway in Jarvisburg, North Carolina, within the Outer Banks tourism corridor. The winery, established in 2002 by the Wright family who have farmed in Currituck County for seven generations, produces 20-plus wines from locally grown grapes spanning European vinifera varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Tannat, Albariño, Roussane) and indigenous muscadines. Production methods are traditional: hand-harvesting, oak barrel aging, skin contact fermentation, and cold cellars.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model with five revenue streams: (1) bottle sales through the on-site winery, seasonal Cotton Gin tasting rooms in Duck, Corolla, Nags Head, and Jarvisburg, and the Vinoshipper e-commerce platform; (2) "The Bunch" no-fee wine club delivering two semi-annual 6-bottle packages; (3) paid tasting experiences including reserve tastings and vineyard tours; (4) ticket revenue from annual festivals (Crabdaddy, Currishuck, Hook'd Fish Fry) and weekly Acoustic Sunset Thursdays plus winter series; (5) wedding and private event venue bookings, charcuterie box sales, and the OASIS B2B program embedding wine experiences into vacation rental properties. Customer segments are Outer Banks tourists, local Currituck/Dare County residents, vacation rental owners, and wedding clients.

The company is privately held, bootstrapped, with no disclosed external funding, no parent company, and no recorded M&A or leadership transitions. Operations are managed by a small team (1-10 employees) including General Manager/Vineyard Manager John Wright, Winemaker George Butler, Assistant Winemaker Craig Norville, Event Manager Karen Laucks, and Tasting Room Manager Elton Singletary. The asset is a regional lifestyle winery business whose growth is tied to Outer Banks tourism flows and event programming, with media validation from Wine Enthusiast and Southern Living.

Name

Sanctuary Vineyards

Legal name

Sanctuary Vineyards

Website

https://sanctuaryvineyards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sanctuary Vineyards is a family-owned estate winery in Jarvisburg, NC, producing 20-plus wines from 10 acres of Outer Banks grapes and selling directly to consumers via its tasting room, Cotton Gin satellite locations, Vinoshipper e-commerce, wine club, festivals, weddings, and an OASIS vacation rental partnership program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Winery / Estate Wine Production

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Wineries (31213), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB), Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Estate wine production
• Wine tastings
• Wine club membership
• Vineyard event venue
• Coastal winery tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Jarvisburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Bottle Sales: Wines sold directly to consumers through the winery tasting room, Vinoshipper online shop, and wine club shipments. Two semi-annual packages of 6 bottles per year for wine club members.
2. Wine Tastings and Experiences: Paid tasting experiences including reserve tastings, discovery tasting sheets, and vineyard tours.
3. Event Revenue: Ticket sales for annual festivals (Crabdaddy, Currishuck, Hook'd Fish Fry), seasonal events (Acoustic Sunset Thursdays, Chowder and Chill winter series), and private event bookings.
4. Wedding and Private Events Venue: Beach vineyard wedding venue bookings through http://beachvineyardwedding.com/
5. Charcuterie and Food Sales: Charcuterie boxes sold Friday-Sunday with $100 minimum order for delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sanctuary Vineyards produces estate-grown wines from ten acres of locally cultivated grapes on North Carolina's Outer Banks and sells them directly to consumers through on-site tastings, a wine club (The Bunch), an online shop, satellite tasting rooms, and a calendar of festivals and events. It also operates a beach vineyard wedding venue and sells complementary food items such as charcuterie boxes.

Product overview

Sanctuary Vineyards is an Outer Banks vineyard and winery located in Jarvisburg, NC, producing estate-grown wines from locally grown grapes. The winery specializes in both European vinifera varieties and native muscadine grapes. The product portfolio includes dry red blends (Coastal Collage, Double Barrel, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Morton), dry white wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pearl, Whalehead White, Orange Viognier), sweet muscadine wines (The Plank, Sweet Serenity), rosé wines (The Lightkeeper, Wildflowers), and specialty products (uno + DOS = Tres Sangria). The winery operates tasting rooms at multiple locations including The Cotton Gin in Duck, Corolla, Nags Head, and Jarvisburg, and offers wine club membership (The Bunch) with semi-annual wine packages. Wines are sold through the winery, online via Vinoshipper, and at various tasting room locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chardonnay (2021) Bright dry white wine with apple and pear notes, crisp up-front flavors, light mineral finish, 12.50% ABV; sold direct to consumers through the winery, Cotton Gin tasting rooms, and Vinoshipper e-commerce.
• Orange Viognier (2019) Handcrafted orange Viognier with prolonged skin contact imparting aromas of ripe pineapple and guava, firm tannins and ample acidity; sold via winery and Vinoshipper.
• Pinot Gris (2021) Dry white wine with straw hues, white nectarine and lime zest bouquet, bright acidity and lingering finish, 13.00% ABV; sold direct via winery and Vinoshipper.
• Coastal Collage (2020) Medium-bodied red Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon with dried cherry, blackberry, violet, and cinnamon notes; aged 16 months in 2-year-old French oak, 12.50% ABV.
• Double Barrel (2019) Estate-grown blend of 50% Tannat and 50% Petit Verdot with deep inky violet and garnet hues, aromas of ripe berries, currant jam, vanilla, and smoky leather, 13.50% ABV.
• Dead Men Tell No Tales (2020) Bold red blend of Syrah, Tannat, and Petit Verdot; one of the boldest reds produced, recommended for aging or decanting, 13.50% ABV.
• Morton Elegant red Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot with black cherry flavors and sweet oak and spice on the nose.
• The Plank Red Muscadine wine with ripe and jammy flavor, best served chilled, sealed with wax for an authentic pirate look.
• Pearl (2021) Handcrafted white wine from Albariño and Viognier with melon, peach, tropical fruit, lemon zest, and ripe apricot nuances; sur lies aging and 24-hour skin maceration.
• The Lightkeeper Rosé blending fresh muscadine flavor with sweet rosé appeal, offering honeyed aromas and strawberry, melon, and sweet cherry flavors.
• Wild Pony White Best-selling #1 dry white blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonel; a portion of proceeds benefits the Corolla Wild Horse Fund.
• Sweet Serenity Muscadine wine known for smooth sweetness and powerful aroma, made from muscadine grapes indigenous to the North Carolina region.
• Wildflowers (2021) Full-bodied rosé made from Tannat and Syrah with balanced acidity and luscious cherry, raspberry, and rhubarb flavors.
• Whalehead White (2021) Chardonnay blend with lemon zest and grapefruit notes, designed as a natural pairing with seafood, 12.90% ABV.
• uno + DOS = Tres Sangria Sangria base with aromas of black cherries and caramel and flavors of raspberries and candied plums; designed to pair with fruit juice and freshly sliced oranges and granny smith apples.
• Shipwreck (2020) North Carolina Syrah blend with Tannat and Petit Verdot offering fruity and spicy aromas with blackberry, ripe banana, and cassis flavors.
• The Triangle Reserve (2020) Dry steel-fermented white blend of North Carolina Viognier, Roussanne, and Albariño with melon and citrus aromas, designed to pair with fresh local seafood.
• The Bunch Wine Club Subscription wine club offering two semi-annual six-bottle shipments per year (May and December) with VIP tastings, 25% off case purchases, festival tickets, and member-only events; auto-renews annually.
• Wine Tastings and Experiences Paid wine tasting experiences including reserve tastings, discovery tasting sheets, and vineyard tours available on-site at the Jarvisburg winery and Cotton Gin satellite tasting rooms; reservations bookable online.
• Beach Vineyard Wedding and Private Event Venue Coastal vineyard venue available for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and private event bookings at the Jarvisburg property.
• Annual and Seasonal Festivals and Events Ticketed on-site festival and event programming such as Crabdaddy (September), Currishuck (November), Hook'd Fish Fry, Acoustic Sunset Thursdays, and the Chowder and Chill winter series, with VIP and general admission ticketing.
• Charcuterie Boxes Charcuterie boxes sold Friday through Sunday with a $100 minimum for delivery, paired with wine purchases and tastings.
• OASIS Vacation Rental Partner Program Partnership program for AirB&B/VRBO vacation rental properties providing guest vouchers, discount coupons, branded wine glasses, and rack cards, with case purchases held in cold storage ahead of guest visits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 wine varieties produced from estate-grown grapes
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Corolla Wild Horse FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWild Pony White wine (32% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Gris, 18% Viognier, 14% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Chardonel) benefits the Corolla Wild Horse Fund with a portion of proceeds donated. Also partnered for Hoofstock event celebrating the Corolla Wild Horses.
• I Got Your CrabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary seafood vendor for Crabdaddy and Currishuck festivals, providing fresh steamed blue crabs from Currituck Sound for all-you-can-eat festival experiences.
• Spare Parts BBQ Co and MorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBBQ vendor for Crabdaddy, Currishuck, and other events, providing smoked meats and sides. Regular presence at Acoustic Sunset Thursday events.
• Coinjock CateringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatering partner for events including The Cajun Occasion Mardi Gras Celebration and Chowder and Chill winter series, providing traditional Irish lunch, jambalaya, gumbo, and other cuisine.
• League of Women Voters of Dare CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization supported by Acoustic Sunset event series, which donates a portion of proceeds to local organizations.
• Currituck Chamber of CommerceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal chamber of commerce supported by Acoustic Sunset event series as part of community outreach.
• Kitty Hawk KitesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Vineyard Voyage experience - boat cruise across Currituck Sound from Duck to Jarvisburg with wine tasting, offered through Kitty Hawk Kites.
• Cotton GincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCotton Gin locations serve as seasonal tasting room partners in Duck, Corolla, Nags Head, and Jarvisburg areas. Tastings available May-September.
• VinoshippercoreTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform integration for online wine sales and direct-to-consumer shipping, enabling wine purchases through https://vinoshipper.com/shop/sanctuary_vineyards

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• RayLen Vineyards: North Carolina estate winery in Mocksville with tastings, wine club, and on-site events. Comparable estate-grown DTC winery competing for the same regional wine tourist.
• Iron Gate Winery: North Carolina estate winery with tasting room, wine club, and on-site events. Comparable estate-grown DTC business model in the NC wine market.
• Hanover Park Vineyard: Small North Carolina estate winery offering tastings, tours, and events. Comparable in size, family operation, and estate-grown DTC wine business.
• Laurel Gray Vineyards: Family-owned North Carolina estate winery in Hamptonville with tasting room and wine club. Comparable estate-grown positioning, family operation, and DTC focus.
• Childress Vineyards: Mid-sized North Carolina estate winery in Lexington offering tastings, a restaurant, and events. Comparable estate-grown positioning and DTC tasting/event model within the same state market.
• Raffaldini Vineyards: Yadkin Valley estate winery focused on Italian-style varietals with a tasting room, wine club, and event programming. Comparable estate winery DTC model within North Carolina.

Broad incumbents

• Shelton Vineyards: Large North Carolina estate winery in the Yadkin Valley with tastings, restaurant, and weddings. Overlaps Sanctuary on estate-grown NC wine, tasting room, and event venue business, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Biltmore Winery: North Carolina's largest estate winery, located at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Comparable in estate-grown NC wine production and on-site tasting/experience business, but vastly larger scale and broader distribution.

Others

• Kitty Hawk Kites: Outer Banks tourism operator and Sanctuary Vineyards partner that delivers customers via the Vineyard Voyage boat cruise. Adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a wine competitor; included as it shares the OBX experiential-tourism customer base.

Direct peers

• Chatham Vineyards: Estate winery on Virginia's Eastern Shore producing wines from locally grown grapes with on-site tastings and a wine club. Closely comparable to Sanctuary Vineyards in scale, coastal terroir-driven positioning, and DTC-first business model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/sanctuaryvineyards
• Instagraminstagram.com/sanctuaryvineyards
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sanctuary-vineyards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sanctuary Vineyards