In these most uncertain times, it’s almost imperative for all of us to find ways to help alleviate the stress from our busy lives. And while prying our hands away from our digital devices can be difficult, it’s not altogether impossible-provided that there’s an activity worth embarking on. Take wine tasting, for example. Visiting a winery can offer a fresh alternative to those seeking new experiences. Wine tasting basically allows you to sample locally-made wines while you learn about the fascinating process of winemaking. The visit can even help to develop your palate. Plus, you’d be helping to boost the local economy. So gather up some cheese and get your palate ready for some wine tasting!

Georgia is home to nearly 100 wineries and vineyards, and that number continues to grow every year. However, out of all those choices, where else do you think you can you experience a wine tasting with the farmer who actually planted the grapes,harvested them, and then made the wine? Well, look no further than right here in Houston County.

Tilford Winery is located in the very heart of Kathleen, Georgia. Named in honor of Tilford Taylor, the father of proprietor Robert Taylor, the winery, along with some of its grape arbors, actually sits behind Robert’s white clapboard home on his country estate. “My father’s name was rather unique. There are not many folks named Tilford that I know of, so I named it after him,” explains Robert, who retired from a civil service job at Warner Robins Air Force Base eight years ago. He also says that his operation is the only one in Georgia owned and operated by African Americans.

Robert’s family hails from the small town of Utica, Mississippi. Although there was a long tradition of winemaking among members of his family,Robert never considered becoming a winemaker himself–that is, until he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1999. “After the diagnosis, I was out of work for fifteen months. I was looking for something to do once I retired, so I began exploring the health benefits of the muscadine grape since my family used to make wine from it. That particular grape has the highest amount of antioxidants,” explains the 72-year-old vintner. One such antioxidant, resveratrol, can actually help the body fight diseases and is now being used as a nutraceutical.

After obtaining some muscadines from a neighbor a few months later, Robert setout to plant them in the three acres behind his house. “At first we wanted to test to see what they tasted like before selling the wine to the public. After we were satisfied,we then obtained our license. We also had to make sure we had enough to sell.”Robert soon began selling bottles from underneath his carport before construction of the winery was underway.

Robert’s son LeQuintiss Taylor, who oversees sales and marketing, echoes his father’s praises of the muscadine grape. “My father started growing his grapes back in1994, but he actually didn’t start selling wines until 2004, when we launched the labeland built the winery. He really wanted to make a product that was healthy, so it seemed only natural to make wines out of a grape that can benefit you.” Indeed, whether it’s helping with the symptoms of arthritis, constipation,or high blood pressure, the benefits of the muscadine grape are many.

Over the years, Tilford Winery has become known for its tasty wines as well as the juices made from muscadine grapes. Specifically, the Taylors use Magnolia and Carlos varieties of muscadine to make their white wines and juice, while the Noble is their grape of choice for red. “It’s actually the only grape that grows naturally throughout the Southeast, without the aid of pesticides or chemicals added,” explains LeQuintiss.This contrasts with the European varieties grown in north Georgia, which require the help of fungicides to help grow them. “Our wines and juices are 100% organic and contain no additives.”

The Taylor family’s passion for wine is evident in the way they run their winery in Houston County. “We begin harvesting in mid-August and continue through the middle of October. We offer winery & vineyard tours by appointments only, and we open our doors all year for tours, except during harvest season,” continues LeQuintiss.“We feel that we take a more personalized approach; since we’ve harvested the grapes and made the wines ourselves, we can go through our process step by step.”

Tilford Winery also conducts tastings each week, ensuring that each customer receives a personalized experience to the wines. Visitors can see the vats where the grapes are fermented, and the entire process of harvesting and making the muscadine wine is explained. “Our grapes grow naturally and are totally free of sulfites,” Robert says proudly. Tovino lovers, that may mean that the family’s wines are essentially headache-free. The winery even offers four varieties: a full bodied red noble, a blush wine, a white wine and a bronze wine. “All of our wines come in sweet, dry and semi-sweet.”

With its humble beginnings in Houston County, the Taylor family eventually expanded its venture to several vineyards throughout Middle Georgia, Mississippi, andeven Texas. Thus, their wines will continue to grow as bountifully as their grapes do.Along with sales at the winery, the Taylors also sell their products to consumers online and ship throughout the world. During the pandemic, Tilford Winery began offering virtual wine tastings to several Fortune 500 companies and Nonprofit Organizations as team building events.With their winery’s growing reputation, even Hollywood took notice. In 2021, LeQuintiss was recruited as the wine consultant for The Kings of Napa, a series that premiered on Oprah Winfrey’s (OWN) channel.Although he still has input in the winery’s daily operations, Robert is passing the baton to the next generation as LeQuintiss and the rest of the family to help continue his vision for Tilford Winery and help usher in a new age for the family business. “Ilook forward to continue educating the public and helping to raise awareness about the medicinal benefits of our grapes,” says LeQuintiss. “We really enjoy producing the muscadine grapes for our wines, juices and byproducts. Perry has really supported us,so we will keep spreading the word about our products to the rest of Houston County and even globally for generations to come.”

Public or private wine tastings & tours are booked through the winery’s social platforms or at www.tilfordwinery.com.