Asheville Winery Faces an Uncertain Future After Storm Devastation
Asheville, N.C. has found itself in a moment of reckoning after the destructive forces of Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina. One local gem, Pleb Winery, which had been a vibrant part of the community, now sits in ruins, a mere shadow of its former self. The owner, Lauren Turpin, reflects on what has been lost as the winery grapples with the enormous task of starting anew.
A Space of Community and Connection
Pleb Winery was more than just a place to enjoy a glass of wine; it was a sanctuary for connection and a hub of local culture. Located in the heart of Asheville, it just celebrated its sixth anniversary on September 1. But what is left now? Standing on the concrete foundation where beautiful memories were made, Turpin noted with a heavy heart, “There is no ‘rebuild.’ We have to start over. We have to absolutely start from scratch.”
The once lively production room is now just a bare space, one that held ten or more tanks containing up to 2,000 liters of wine each, all of which were completely filled. Brett Sullivan, the former lead bartender at Pleb for five years, recounted the feeling of being in what used to be a bustling winery: “It felt so long when you were cleaning tables; and now it’s like this weirdly small piece of concrete.”
The Impact of Helene
The storm’s impact was immediate and devastating. The winery team couldn’t reach the building for several days due to flooding. When they finally made it back, Turpin described the scene: cinder block walls had collapsed “like Legos.” Sadly, there was nothing salvageable after the storm passed. “I don’t sleep because I keep replaying in my head this imaginary scene of destruction not knowing what really happened,” she explained, trying to come to terms with the catastrophe. “I know people keep using the word ‘devastation,’ and that just doesn’t seem strong enough.”
To put things in perspective, the winery lost close to 75 barrels of wine that had been aged for six years. Even the artistic heart of the winery—murals and bottles decorated by local artists—were lost to the storm. Many of these artists had contributed their work for free, driven by a desire to make Pleb a space for community engagement. “We wanted it to be a space for the community to engage not just with what we were doing but with each other,” Turpin reminisced.
Finding Hope Amidst the Ruins
The name “Pleb” symbolizes resilience, derived from the Latin term “Plebeians,” those creative souls in ancient Rome who kept society thriving through their art and craftsmanship. Today, as the owners of Pleb Winery continue to assess the wreckage, that spirit of resilience is essential for moving forward. “There’s still grapes in these mountains, and that means there’s still a future for wine,” Sullivan affirmed with a glimmer of hope.
While the immediate future is uncertain, community support is blooming. The winery is asking patrons and former visitors to share their cherished memories by posting pictures on social media. In addition, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the employees who now find themselves without work.
A Community Coming Together
As the community of Asheville rallies around its beloved winery, it’s clear that the journey to rebuild Pleb Winery will be long and challenging. Yet, the path forward is lined with hope and a reminder of the connections formed over a glass of exquisite local wine. “We aim to find a new taste again,” Turpin said, holding on to the vision of what Pleb Winery can become once more.
Through this tough time, the resilience of Pleb Winery and its team showcases the very spirit of Asheville—one that thrives on creativity, community, and a love for local artisanship. Here’s to hoping the winery will rise from the ashes and once again become a cherished part of the local landscape.
