Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/74662
WineEast The soil composition changes from north to south as the river flows southeasterly. The original soils of the valley, according to McRitchie's soil scientist, were derived from intermediate volcanic rocks of the Carolina Slate Belt, which extends to and under the Atlantic Ocean. The Haw River rock dates back 700 million years, while Yadkin Valley to the west dates to 1.5 bil- lion years ago. "A wine grown in the sandy soil of the coast is going to be dramatically different from a wine grown in the Piedmont or in the mountains," Metzger said. Elevation and boundaries Elevations in the new AVA are 350 feet in the southernmost section to more than 800 feet at the northwestern boundary, but the entire valley lies within the Piedmont Province near the fall line with the Inner Coastal Plain. To the west, elevations rise to more than 1,500 feet, and to the east, eventually they descend to sea level. The petition had to include specific boundar- ies supported by current United States Geographical Survey maps, and the natural Marketing Wolfe Wines produces Chambourcin and a Norton blend as well as vinifera and Muscadine. BDI_Nov10.qxp 9/29/10 11:50 AM Page 1 terrain of the watershed gave the petition in this area of commonality. Vintners in the area point to a more practical fact about the Haw River area: The geographic location allows them to grow and make both vinifera and Musca- dine sweet and fruit wines. To the east, the sandy soil and climate is well suited 12_AVF_1-6v_color 4/18/07 3:45 PM Page 116 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2011