LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Two weeks after a fire ravaged a local business, a benefit concert was held to support Woodmill Winery.
“The community came out in such force, sending me text and phone messages and dropping by,” said Larry Cagle, Jr., the owner of the winery. “We had 200 cars drive in the day of the fire.”
Cagle has been in business for 19 years.
“You know, I’m humbled by how much these people care about the winery,” said Cagle.
They cared so much they showed up in droves Saturday for a concert to help rebuild the winery.
“It broke my heart. We have property just right though the woods here, so we’re here quite often,” said Ronald Downs, a supporter. “I know Larry. He’s a pillar of the community.”
Another supporter, Betty Hovis, said Cagle is one of the nicest men.
Some of the support at the concert was measured in wine bottles sold for $20 as a souvenir from the fire. The wine inside was not drinkable.
Woodmill is not down for the count. The vines were not damaged. It’s harvest season and they can still process wine using one of the other buildings.
“Our crosses out there caught on fire three times. The firemen put it out three times, so my little slogan for everyone is our cross, our flag and our faith is still standing,” Cagle said.
Everybody who knows Cagle says he’s a very determined man, and he has set a date of sometime next summer to reopen the winery. His supporters have no doubt that’s a date he’ll make.
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