Wine Industry Facts
Feb 7, 2012
- North Carolina is home to more than 100 wineries. The number of wineries has more than quadrupled since 2001. The industry has two focuses — native muscadine grapes and European-style vinifera grapes.
- Commonly planted vinifera grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. They are planted in the Western and Piedmont regions of the state.
- Scuppernongs and other native muscadine grapes are relatively pest resistant and thrive in the hot sandy conditions of the coastal region. Muscadines contain high levels of Resveratrol and other health-enhancing antioxidants. Some wineries even sell grape skins to nutraceutical companies.
- Scuppernong is the first grape cultivated in the United States and is the official fruit of North Carolina. The Mother Vine in Manteo on Roanoke Island, a 400-year-old scuppernong vine, is the oldest known cultivated grapevine in the nation.
- North Carolina ranks ninth in U.S. wine production.
- More than 400 individually owned grape vineyards are spread across the state, covering 1,800 acres. North Carolina ranks ninth in the nation in grape production.
- According to a recent study, the annual economic impact of the North Carolina wine and grape industry is $1.28 billion with nearly 7,600 jobs supported.
- The Yadkin Valley is North Carolina's first federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA). It is located in northwestern North Carolina, and there are more than 30 wineries and 400 acres devoted to vineyards in the Yadkin Valley.
- Swan Creek AVA was established in 2008 in northwest North Carolina and includes five wineries.
- Haw River Valley AVA is North Carolina’s third and newest AVA, established in 2009. It is located in central North Carolina and is home to seven wineries.
- Asheville is home to the Biltmore Estate Winery, which receives more than 1 million visitors annually and is the most visited winery in the United States.
- Medoc Vineyard in the town of Brinkleyville in Halifax County was the first commercial winery established in North Carolina and led the country's wine production in 1835.
- At the turn of the century, 25 wineries operated in North Carolina, making it one of the nation's most productive wine states. The industry closed with the onset of Prohibition.
- A 2007 national survey sponsored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) in partnership with Gourmet magazine and the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), cited North Carolina as one of the top five state destinations for wine and culinary tourism activities in the United States.
- Duplin Winery, the largest and oldest winery in the state, is the world’s largest producer of Muscadine wine.
Every special place has its own unique flavor. Ours has many. Go to VisitNCwine.com for more information.
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CONTACT:
Margo Metzger
919-733-7420
margo@visitnc.com
Maureen Haley
212-444-7145
maureen.haley@aboutdci.com
contact
Margo Metzger
919-733-7420
margo@visitnc.com
Maureen Haley
212-444-7145
maureen.haley@aboutdci.com
