Family values are a tricky thing when being passed down to the next generation. Parents usually deal with two kinds of kids: the obedient ones who embrace the values wholeheartedly, and the tricky ones who go the opposite direction. William Layton of Layton's Chance said he was the second kind of child – for a while. This was a man raised on a farm in Dorchester County, driving a tractor since he was big enough to see over the steering wheel. Plowing, planting and harvesting were in his blood, and so were the expectations to carry on the family tradition.

For reasons Will can't seem to recall, other than restless youth perhaps, he decided to step away from farm life during his early adult years. This didn't last long, however. After acquiring a college degree and spending some time on the West Coast, Will felt his nostalgia for the old family farm creeping back in. "You have to get away from something for a while to really appreciate it, I guess," said Will. So, he came back to the farm, but with new ideas. The words he told his father upon his return were, "We need to diversify." That was the bold move leading to the grand opening of Layton's Chance Vineyard & Winery, first vineyard & winery in Dorchester County.

With soil holding water well, while at the same time draining excess, the Layton family farm has proven ideal for grapes. Every decision surrounding the vineyard was critical, from the business plan to the type of grass planted around the grapes. Only one of the Layton's Chance wines is remarkably dry, the Vidal Blanc, while the rest grow increasingly sweeter going up the list. William mentioned that some 8% of wine drinkers are the hardcore types who prefer dry wines, while the other 92% like to go sweet. Those numbers will tell you why this winery carries mostly sweet wines. Even so, I happened to like the Vidal Blanc a lot – it was dry, but not bite-your-tongue dry, with plenty of tart citrus undertones.

And who said all wines need to come from grapes or berries? Adding to the Layton's Chance diversity is watermelon wine! We were glad to help Will clean out these ripe melons that would go into the first batch. Wine drinkers all, be sure to stay up to date with what's happening at Layton's Chance Vineyard & Winery.

Written by Erik Yount. Photography by Errol Webber.