History of North Carolina Wineries

North Carolina wineries are thee place to be for wine connoisseurs and lovers. The region has diverse climate, nurturing soil and diverse landscape as well. The state has an ideal environment for wine production and grape farming.

Vintages of North Carolina

The production of wine had started in North Carolina Wineries Map as early as the 17th Century. The first grape variety to be grown in the region was the "scuppernong" that produced sweet wine and was loved by the local farmers. The grape variety was referred to by the farmers as the "big white grape" because of its bronze and greenish color and its large size. The "scuppernong" was thus made thus made the state fruit.

The first commercial winery established in North Carolina was the Medoc Vineyard in 1835 by one Sydney Weller on twelve acres of land. The vineyard produced over sixty gallons of wine later in 1853. The number of wineries in North Carolina grew over the years and by the start of the American civil war there were over twenty wineries that were doing well.

Wine Production Ban

The U.S underwent a ban on the transportation, production and transportation of alcoholic substances between 1920 and 1933 and thus impacted greatly on the production of wine in North Carolina. During the period of the ban the grapes produced was only used for the production of fresh juice and this lead to the decrease in the number of wineries and by 1958 there was none.

Revival of wine production in North Carolina

In 1972 a state legislature lowered the wine licensing fee by 90% to promote the production of wine within the state; the tax charged on producers for each gallon was also reduced immensely. Such action by the state influenced the inception of reputable wineries like the Deerfield vineyards, Biltimore Estate Wine Company, Duplin Winery and Westbend vineyards.

The state of North Carolina due to the production incentives now produces over five thousand gallons from the more than four hundred vineyards and one hundred wineries.

Yadkin Valley

North Carolina is ranked among the top wine and grape production regions in the U.S and is one of the highly visited destinations for wine tourism. The best grapes in North Carolina come from the Yadkin valley which is renowned as a region that grows unique grapes and all wine produced with grapes from the region have a "Yadkin Valley" label.

The region is situated about 40 miles away from Winston-Salem which is known to have a high concentration of wineries in North Carolina; the region is home to over thirty wineries and the number keeps rising.

Winston-Salem wine festivals

North Carolina hosts several wine festivals each year but Winston-Salem is home to two of the biggest of these festivals. The biggest festival of the state is always held on the Memorial Day weekend, "The North Carolina Wine Festival". The other wine festival you should consider attending is always held every first weekend of June "Salute! The Winery in North Carolina Wine Celebration."