Captain Christine and passengers crossing the currituck Sound.

If there is a better way to cross the Currituck Sound than in a pontoon boat, it hasn't been invented. Yes, it rolls with the waves a little, but there is none of the bone jarring beating that goes with a speedboat skimming the water, and it's a heck of a lot faster than paddling a kayak.

There are three of us on the Kitty Hawk Kites Sanctuary Vineyards and Historic Cruise and Captain Christine.We're heading out from duck to sip some wine at at the vineyard tasting room just across the waters from dock. Christine, who was raised in Wanchese, has spent almost her entire life on the water and her skill in smoothing out the inevitable chop in the middle of the Sound is apparent.

Heads down! There's just enough head room for the boat to pass under the bridge, but no room to stand.

The trip is beautiful, especially the last part that winds slowly through the creeks and back waters of Dews Island—a hunt club on the soundside of the Cotton Gin where Sanctuary Vineyards is located.

Of course the trip is all about trying wine, and after 14 or 15 years of cultivation, the vines are getting some age, the wine maker is learning how to use what the local conditions are creating, and Sanctuary Vineyard wines are worth sipping—and certainly buying.

Pouring wine.

Elton who has been pouring wine in the tasting room since they opened it four years ago, is funny, informative and a master at keeping things informal yet professional.

Doing any kind of wine rating is dangerous because tastes vary so much—instead here's a thumbnail review. The excursion trio agreed that the dry wines were best, and all of use seemed to prefer the reds. However there were a few of the dry whites that were also really enjoyed. Elton was also pouring some muscadine wines that people with a preference for sweeter wines will enjoy.

The cruise leaves Duck on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 3:00 p.m. from the dock by the Kitty Hawk Kites store. The Thursday cruise includes the Sanctuary Vineyards Acoustic Thursday live music and takes an hour longer getting back about 7:30.