A Dive Alarm, a Navy Sword, and a Glass of Wine
Explore the Navy stories, submarine traditions, and personal connections behind Golden Road Vineyards, a veteran-owned winery near Elkin, NC.
A submarine klaxon, or dive alarm, behind the bar might seem out of place among wine glasses, but it’s part of the same story. I served as a Navy submarine officer from 2003 to 2011, including time aboard USS Los Angeles. Now Crista and I run Golden Road Vineyards near Elkin, North Carolina, and a few pieces of that earlier life come out when we’re pouring.
Submariners usually ask if the klaxon works and if they can hear it. Folks who haven’t served just want to know what it is. Either way, it starts a conversation.
The GRV Challenge Coin
We made a challenge coin for the tasting room: our logo on the front, submarine dolphins on the back, half gold and half silver. The dolphins are the submarine warfare insignia, earned by sailors who demonstrate their knowledge of the boat and their ability to help keep it and the crew safe. It’s also a bottle opener for our crown caps. A little tradition and a little practicality.
Giving those coins out has been unexpectedly meaningful. One Vietnam-era veteran got a little teary when I handed him one. It was a small gesture, but his reaction reminded me what recognition can mean.
The Sword Still Gets Used
My Navy sword hangs behind the bar, but it comes down for occasions like our annual submarine birthday celebration. We honor the submariners present with the oldest and newest dolphin qualifications. They get the first two pieces of cake, which I cut with the sword before switching to a regular knife.
People take pictures, veterans recognize the tradition, and everyone else gets to experience a little bit of it. It’s a way to share my history without going overboard.
The Navy Made the Wine List
We have three Navy-themed wines: Emergency Blow, Sailor's Delight, and Rig for Red. Emergency Blow probably gets the most questions. The name comes from using high-pressure air to force water out of a submarine’s ballast tanks and quickly bring the boat to the surface. Think of those movie scenes where a submarine bursts out of the water.
Of course, a bachelorette party may picture something a little different, and we’ve embraced that too. There’s a reason we have a shirt that says, “I enjoyed an Emergency Blow at Golden Road Vineyards.”
My Navy years also helped spark my appreciation for what we pour into your glasses. After USS Los Angeles, I was stationed in Naples, Italy, from 2008 to 2011. I hadn’t been much of a wine drinker before moving there but living in Italy help established an appreciation for wine. My usual explanation involves my opinion of Peroni as a beer and when in Rome....
A Few More Stories Around the Room
You’ll also find USS Los Angeles photos with commemorative stamps marking her keel laying, launching, commissioning, and decommissioning. There’s a barrel head shadow box with my awards, patches, and challenge coins, an early-1900s USS Constitution lithograph, and a Turkish chandelier I picked up on a trip to Ankara while stationed in Italy.
Being a veteran-owned winery is part of our family’s story, and these objects help us share it. Next time you’re in, ask about whatever catches your eye. We’d love to hear your stories, too.
