A Tour of North Carolina’s Vineyards
North Carolina isn’t the first place you think of when you think of great wine. However, the state has a long history of making great wines — going all the way back to the 1800s. The state was the leading producer of wine before Prohibition.
That tradition continues to be strong today. There are over 100 wineries in the state. There are even three American Viticulture Areas: the Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek and Haw River Valley.
Here’s more information about some of North Carolina’s top vineyards:

Childress Vineyards
This vineyard owned by Nascar driver Richard Childress has been named best of show in the Mid-Atlantic Wine Competition and won numerous other awards. The vineyard boasts over 100 acres of 12 different types of grapes that produce a variety of house wines and special signature wines.
Shelton Vineyards (http://www.sheltonvineyards.com/)
Located in the Yadkin Valley American Viticulture Area, this vineyard is one of the largest on the East coast. Several varieties of grape are grown at the vineyard, producing 10 different types of wines. ” Shelton Vineyards’ belief is that fine wine begins in the vineyard. The location, in the heart of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley, provides the ideal climate and soil conditions. Shelton Vineyards’ commitment to sustainable farming practices and hands-on attention enables the vineyard to produce the highest possible quality of grapes.”
Duplin Winery (http://www.duplinwinery.com/)
Duplin Winery, specializing in Muscadine wines, claims to have jumpstarted the wine industry in North Carolina. The winery has 1,800 acres across four states and makes several specialty wines. It also partners with nearby vineyards, such as the Cape Fear Vineyards, to create special signature wines.
Chatham Hill Winery (http://www.chathamhillwine.com/)
North Carolina’s first urban winery is located in the bustling Triangle in Cary.” Its mission is to produce distinctive, handcrafted wines of high quality and purity from grapes grown in North Carolina.” The winery takes a minimalist approach to producing wines, and traditional methods are used.
Biltmore Estate Winery (http://www.biltmore.com/our_wine/)
This gorgeous estate also produces several award-winning wines. The winery opened in the 1970s as an extension of the estate’s mission to become self-sustaining. The winery claims to be the most visited winery in the country, with approximately 1 million visitors per year. ” North Carolina is gaining a reputation for producing quality wines and we hope to continue to lead the charge in educating wine enthusiasts and novices alike about what our state has to offer.”
North Carolina is growing as an authority in producing quality wines. While it’s no California, it has won many awards for its wines and is gaining respect in the field. These vineyards are helping to create a reputation for North Carolina as a place that produces quality wines.
Have you tried any wines created in North Carolina? What are your thoughts? Share your opinions in the comments!
Heather Green is a Christian mom, freelance writer, pet lover and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice about nursing online resources and associates degree in nursing.