Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/74662
WineEast and Trade Bureau (TTB). The seven winer- ies and 14 growers within the 868 acres of the Haw River watershed in the north central area of the state (including parts of six counties) are now approved to use the designations "Haw River" and "Haw River Valley." Patricia McRitchie, the attorney and winery owner who served as the point person throughout the petition process, said the Haw petition was primarily financed by a grant from the Golden Leaf Foundation (GLF). The North Carolina legislature created the GLF in 1999 to strengthen the state's economy, especially agri-tourism and business develop- The TTB states that to be granted an Wine East HIGHLIGHTS: • A three-year effort funded by a state foundation resulted in American Viticul- tural Area status for the Haw River Valley of north Carolina. • The geographic location allows local vine- yards to grow both vinifera and locally popular Muscadine grapes for dry and sweet wines • The Haw River was once polluted by the textile industry; today its nearby vine- yards and seven wineries are becoming agri-tourism attractions. ment such as the North Carolina wine trail. Approximately $20,000 was spent on the Haw River petition. According to Margo Knight Metzger, public relations manager for the N.C. Division of Tourism, the AVA was granted because its area wineries and vineyards were able to make a strong case that their region is unique. "Geographically, North Carolina has a very diverse landscape with a wide variance in climate and soil types," Metzger said. "Wines produced here are likewise extremely diverse in character. That's why AVA designations are so important: They help the consumer understand a wine's sense of place." AVA, a winegrowing area has to dem- onstrate that its history, climate, soils, elevation and geography are in some way unique, and that the wine consumer would want to know this when purchasing a prod- uct from the area. Name recognition and history One TTB requirement is evidence that the area is locally or nationally known by the name specified in the petition. According to McRitchie, this requirement was not a problem. along the river before the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th "The name Haw originated with the Sissipahaw Indians living in small villages cen- tury," McRitchie said. "The name survived the new settlers and was noted in several sources of American history. Moreover, the 'Haw River Valley' is currently used by the area media today." Distinctive climate and common soils Common climatic features in the valley include precipitation, air temperature and growing season. Using data from four weather stations throughout the valley, McRitchie established that the Haw climate is more moderate than in surrounding areas, and it receives more moisture than areas outside of the proposed boundary line. Chemdet_Nov07 10/2/07 4:18 PM Page 1 #1 Industry Website TANK CLEANING EQUIPMENT Chemdet has over 35 years experience supplying a full line of quality equipment to clean the interiors of open or closed, large or small containers, tanks & process vessels. • Portable Tank Washers • Clean-in-Place Tank Washers • Drum and Barrel Washers • High Impact Tank Washers Headlines Features Columns Newsbriefs Calendar Archive search (866) 453-9701 • winesandvines.com • Fixed and Rotating Spray Balls Toll-Free 800-645-1510 • Tel: 772-388-2755 Fax: 772-388-8813 e-mail: info@chemdet.com • www.chemdet.com Chemdet, Inc • 730 D Commerce Center Drive Sebastian, FL 32958 QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #430 & 1809 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2011 115