North Carolina is one of the states that has seen a tremendous growth in wineries opening up during the past few years, with more than 120 open and operating today. The Yadkin Valley is an especially popular region, where winery owners have flourished recently. Although much of this attention has come recently, North Carolina has a long history of wine growing and was one of the first places where wine was grown in this country. When the first settlers arrived, a grape known as Muscadine was planted. Today, Muscadine wines are still produce there, and the varietal remains a fixture in their wine production.With wine consumption growing across America, and more wineries popping up every day, people are increasingly finding wineries to explore in their own states. The North Carolina wine scene is no exception, and along with some other states like New York, Virginia, and Michigan, it represents one of the areas where the wine industry has seen huge growth. As time goes on, it's expected to steadily increase and we will be seeing more production coming from these wineries. Although their reputation might not compare to their West coast counterparts in California, Oregon, and Washington, these new regions can produce some very fine examples of wine.In 1835, the state saw its first production winery open. From that point onward, many citizens in NC grew up drinking red and white muscadine wine. This was partly because of a man named Paul Garrett, who began producing a wine called "Virginia Dare" in the early 1900's. For several decades, this was a best-selling wine, though compared to today's standards, was probably closer to grape juice.When prohibition arrived in 1919, the state's wine production came to a halt. Winemakers were forced underground to practice their craft, or allowed to continue for "medicinal" purposes. Although they continued to make wine after the prohibition ended, the focus on agriculture took a different turn, and wine growing became less prevalent over the next few decades.In 1972, the North Carolina legislature passed measures to reduce regulation and fees associated with viticulture and helped usher in a new era of winegrowing in the region. In 2001, the Scuppernong grape (Muscadine) was named as the official state fruit, paying homage to its roots in the state's history.Today, some very well known wineries exist in the state, and many people flock to them every day to enjoy wine tastings and soak in the beautiful scenery that makes up these regions. You may be familiar with brands like Daveste, RayLen, and Treehouse for example, but many others exist. Next to Virginia, North Carolina is the fastest-growing state on the East coast for wineries and wine tourism.Varietals grown in NCMuscadine might be their oldest grape, but NC wineries produce all sorts of red and white varietalsFrom Merlot to Muscadine, you'll find a variety of grapes being grown in North Carolina. Other varieties like Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cab Franc, and also Chardonnay are also grown throughout the state. There are several designated areas in NC where wine grows, and each plays host to a different set of conditions that help certain kinds of grapes grow better than others.While some grapes prefer rocky, clay-based soils, others like richer and more fertile ground to spread their roots. The varying landscape in North Carolina offers a perfect range of these different terroirs, and winemakers are beginning to appreciate the nuances that each area brings with it.Wine regions in NCWithin the state, there are three distinct regions where wine grows. The Sandhills/Coastal region, Piedmont, and Mountain areas all contain different terrain and features that add to the characteristics of the grapes that grow. Within the Sandhills region lies one of the most famous AVAs in North Carolina - the Yadkin Valley. This is where the majority of wineries are located, and the optimal growing conditions occur. Below that is the Swan Creek AVA, and to the right is the Haw Valley AVA.
Visit the North Carolina Wine Gifts site to find more wines from the region and learn more about their history.
