| Being a lifelong student of history and geography, | | | | surprising and ever evolving selection of wines for |
| I've always been drawn to places that offer a sense | | | | travelers and wine lovers. |
| of historical pride and geographical diversity. Quite | | | | Exploring North Carolina Wine |
| possibly there's no state which offers more of both | | | | Four unique wineries sit in this far southeastern |
| than North Carolina. North Carolina is a study in | | | | corner of North Carolina. Each offers a take on wines |
| contrasts. And through the course of experiencing | | | | made with a distinctly southern grape, the muscadine. |
| those contrasts, more than a few very pleasant | | | | And yet, all four also offer a wide range of wine |
| surprises await. | | | | styles suitable for any palate. |
| One look at a map of North Carolina tells part of the | | | | Just over the South Carolina border, Silver Coast |
| story. In the far western part of the state, the | | | | Winery offers a tranquil respite 15 minutes inland |
| Appalachian mountains provide a scenic backdrop. | | | | from the Atlantic coast. This winery has garnered |
| The central Piedmont area is home to growing cities | | | | several international wine competition awards and |
| along with a technological hub. Further east is a | | | | among other offerings, turns out an impressive oak |
| naturalists paradise - windswept beaches, coastal | | | | chardonnay. |
| plains, and picturesque harborside communities. | | | | In historic Wilmington, a charming port city and site |
| Amidst it all, the North Carolina wine industry thrives. | | | | of numerous tv and movie filmings, you'll find Lumina |
| In vineyards and wineries from the mountains to the | | | | Winery. Lumina is well known for their adventurous |
| coast, North Carolina boasts the 10th largest grape | | | | fruit wines. Try their unique black rasberry merlot or |
| and wine production in the United States. Each | | | | the wonderfully balanced semi sweet white offerings. |
| distinct North Carolina area offers different varieties | | | | Slightly inland from Wilmington just off of Interstate |
| of grapes, producing quite possibly one of the widest | | | | 40, you'll discover two more wineries, including North |
| variety of wine styles in the country. | | | | Carolina's largest and oldest, Duplin Winery. Duplin |
| Here in North Carolina, growers still produce the hardy | | | | produces over 250,000 cases a year and their |
| muscadine grape, a staple in southeastern states. | | | | Hatteras Red is quite possibly North Carolina's most |
| Yet, this is just one small part of grape growing and | | | | well known wine. Nearby is Bannerman Vineyard and |
| wine growing here. Vintners in the mountain and | | | | Winery, producing muscadine varieties from their on |
| Piedmont region of North Carolina have planted | | | | site vineyard. Be sure to sample their White Oak |
| traditional European grape varieties and | | | | semi sweet white, a fruity and approachable white |
| French-American Hybrids, with the result being a | | | | table wine. |