North Carolina
  Sign In
Subscribe to our newsletter
Bookmark and Share  


With a grape-growing history of several hundred years, North Carolina developed America’s first cultivated wine grape, the aromatic Scuppernong, which produces sweet juice. The state’s wine industry now emphasizes the Vitis vinifera, French-American hybrid and labrusca varieties. North Carolina has three very distinct physical regions. In the mountainous northwest, the climate is cool to warm, depending on elevation, which ranges from 1,000-6,000 feet. Soils are rocky and sedimentary in origin. While the higher elevations of the peaks aren’t suitable for grape growing, they form wind barriers which help regulate temperature and moisture. Eastward is the Piedmont region, full of rolling hills and valleys. The temperature here is warm to hot, with an extended growing season. Piedmont soils, as in other areas of the state, are mainly sedimentary rock dating back hundreds of millions of years. The third region, the hot, mostly flat coastal plain, has sandy soils with some clay and very little rock. In North Carolina, "Muscadine-grows-mainly-on-the-plain", but it is impossible to grow vinifera grapes in these parts.

Current Feature

In the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Georgia vineyards are small and few, yet the establishment of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands could bring much more.  [>] continue


Related Features


 

Best of Appellation

See the best wines of North Carolina

See the best wines of
North Carolina

Alive & Well here


Cabernet Sauvignon: All hail the King! But a king doth not a gentleman make. A temperamental prince in youth, you’re  [>] continue

Correspondent

Barbara Ensrud
is the Regional Correspondent for North Carolina.

Recommendations

Quick Finds

Appellation Honor Role

Search the North Carolina Wine List

 
select wine style:
select grape:
 

Featured Wines

RayLen Vineyards 2007 Merlot A traditional-style Merlot aged in French oak with a jammy, blackberry finish that intrigues the palate with soft textures.
buy wine $13.00


RayLen Vineyards 2005 Carolinius Classic red varietals selected in this harmonious blend include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petite Verdot.
buy wine $14.00

Buy North Carolina wines
directly from these wineries

Advertisement



    Help us improve travel information to your favorite region...



Winery Sponsors

Winery sponsors of Appellation America’s coverage of the North Carolina appellation.