Yadkin Valley Vineyards

Yadkin Valley - the Pride of North Carolina

Today, North Carolina is home to more than sixty wineries, and the state is one of the nation's top ten grape producers.  In vineyard years, Yadkin Valley is a relatively new wine-growing region, but already spans an area of one and a half million acres that is growing rapidly as I write this.

Wine in NC?  Since When?

Vineyards in North Carolina did not see light until 1835, when Medoc Vineyard was established by Sidney Weller.  Medoc initially consisted of twelve acres of black and white muscadine grapes, which produced sixty barrels per year, and sold across the United States for up to six dollars per gallon.

NC Wines Today

Today, North Carolina is home to 60 wineries and ranks 10th in the United States for grape and wine production.  Note that many NC wineries continue to import grapes from regions such as California, but this trend is changing as more and more vineyards mature and grapes come of age.

What kind of wines is the Yadkin Valley known for?

European and French-American hybrids are the most common grape varieties produced in the Yadkin Valley.  These varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, Riesling, Viognier, and Vidal Blanc.  With a nod to 'ol Weller, growers are also increasing their plantings of native Muscadine grapes, also called "Scuppernongs," which thrive in the hot and humid conditions of the Coastal Plain.  Muscadine wines are becoming more popular, and the grapes, which are pest resistant, also contain healthy antioxidants and Resveratrol (a nutritional supplement called phytoalexin that is produced naturally when the grapes are attacked by bacteria or fungi).

What is happening to Yadkin Valley today?

In 2003, the Yadkin Valley appellation was approved, which allows winemakers to bottle wines with "Yadkin Valley" labels.  In the following years, the number of wine producers nearly doubled, and continues to grow at an astounding rate. 

Where do the winemakers hale from?  With tobacco farming on the decline, many local farmers are turning to winemaking.

For decades, the area was a key tobacco-growing region. However, as tobacco farming and cigarette manufacturing in the area declines, some entrepreneurs, including tobacco farmers, are turning to winemaking.  The quality of North Carolina's opulent soil has been compared to the growing conditions of France's famous Burgundy wine region.

How do I join the fun?

Aside from visiting Yadkin Valley's numerous vineyards, a good way to get involved is to come to the annual Yadkin Valley Wine festival, drawing over 10,000 people, held the third Saturday in May at Elkin Municipal Park.  There's also the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival, which is held in Yadkinville the third Saturday in October.  And if you live in the Winston-Salem area, consider visiting Wine Merchants Gourmet.