Mah Jongg in the Vines

Join us for a series of Mah Jongg lessons in the Vines on Sunday afternoons this winter at Gioia dell’Amore Cellars.

What to Expect

Our Mah Jongg classes will be held in the back room off of the Tasting Room at Gioia dell’Amore Cellars at Autumn Creek Vineyards. The four classes will be held on January 19 and 26, and February 2 and 9 from 2:00 to 5:00. Both beginners and those who want a refresher are welcome.

Shelby will supply the sets of tiles and hand-outs. The session is limited to 4 tables (16 players).  The class fee is $40/person and includes all 3 instructional sessions and a final play day supervised by the instructor and/or experienced players.  The event fee will be paid directly to the instructor via Venmo: @Shelby-Rhyne-2

Additionally, each player should also purchase the 2024 NMJL card before the class for $15.

When you complete the series of 4 lessons, you should be able to play American mah jongg independently and confidently join a game wherever you live. “Have tiles, will travel.” 

Mah Jongg (or Maahj, as it is often called) is a fascinating, rummy-like game played with tiles rather than cards. The National Mah Johgg League states that “Mah Jongg is enjoying a resurgence in popularity.  A very small amount of time and effort is required to become familiar with the elementary principles of the game.  Your patience in mastering the fine points of Mah Jongg will be repaid many times by the keen enjoyment invariably derived from the game.”

QUESTIONS:  Contact Shelby Rhyne at 614/284-4716, or via email at ssrhyne@gmail.com.

The tasting room will be open to the public during the scheduled lessons. Participants are welcome to purchase Gioia dell’Amore wine or a selection of local and domestic beer for their enjoyment during class.

About Your Hosts

Instructor Shelby Rhyne is a passionate advocate for the game of mah jongg and community tennis in Rockingham County.  She loves playing with beginners at the mah jongg table and on the tennis court.  Her “Wind Down and Play Mahjongg” club in Rockingham County plays together weekly at Deep Springs Country Club in Stoneville, the Garden of Eden Senior Center, and Reynolds Brewery in Eden. Shelby has introduced this popular strategy tile game to over 300 players in Ohio and North Carolina since she fell in love with the game in 2005. She is excited that Gioia dell’Amore Cellars at Autumn Creek Vineyards is adding her beginner class to their winter calendar of events.  

Gioia dell’Amore Cellars (pronounced: “Joy-A” – “dell” – “Ah more ay”) is a winery and vineyard located in Mayodan, NC. Our Italian name means “Joy of Love”.  We are a 96-acre vineyard, winery, wedding venue, and cabin rental facility nestled in the rolling hills of Rockingham County among the vines of Autumn Creek Vineyards. Born out of the owners’ love of family and wine, Gioia dell’Amore Cellars endeavors to share these passions in its romantic, rustic country setting where it aims to “Scatter Joy!” to its community and customers.