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EasternWineLab_Mar09.qxp 1/22/09 9:47 AM Page 1 to Muscadine, while growers in the west nearly meet the border and elevation in the Yadkin Valley, where vinifera grapes are well established. Yadkin Valley, the first North Carolina AVA For a flashback that puts the Haw River AVA in perspective, growers need only review the progress made in Yadkin Valley. In less than 10 years, Yadkin Valley has grown from a handful of small wineries to 30—including the Swan Creek sub-appellation, which includes five wineries. The area's first winery, Westbend Vineyards, began making wine in 1988. There was no further activity for the next 10 years, until Charles and Ed Shelton recognized that the decline in tobacco farming might provide the opportunity to grow grapes instead. They purchased a struggling farm near Dobson and opened Shelton Vineyards in 1999. In just two years, three more wineries emerged. Activity increased when the Yadkin Valley AVA was awarded, and between 2003 and 2009 the area added 25 new wineries. "There's a mystique to owning a winery that you don't get from cornfields or tobacco fields," said one local vineyard owner. "Get- ting that AVA really helped the wine business grow." "Tourists will pass a few tobacco patches in the area, but the Haw AVA enhances our state's wine tourism product." s u s a n D o s i e r , p u b l i c r e l at i o n s for the n . c . wine anD Grape council Growing wine tourism According to Susan Dosier, public relations consultant to the N.C. Wine and Grape Council and a former food editor at Southern Living magazine, the addition of the Haw River AVA opens yet another door for wine marketing in the state. "One weekend is really enough time to complete the wine trail," Dosier says. "Wineries save our farmland from development and encourage a connection with the land. Tourists will still pass a few tobacco patches in the area, but the Haw AVA enhances our state's wine tourism product and brings hikers, bikers, float trippers, res- taurants, festivals and, of course, wine tasters." As far as North Carolina's future AVAs, McRitchie says it is too early to call. She believes, however, that Tryon in Polk County could be next, and then perhaps Uwharrie Mountain. WE Gregory McCluney is a contributing editor to The Wine Report in Atlanta and also writes about wine and spirits for AirTran Arrival in-flight magazine and the James Beard Newsletter. He is a member of the Inter- national Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. Contact him through edit@winesandvines.com. WineEast EASTERN WINE LABS Serving the Analytical needs of East Coast Wineries WWW.EASTERNWINELABS.COM Ph 609-859-4302 Cell 609-668-2854 chemist@easternwinelabs.com AOAC Member GraftedGrapevine_Nov09.qxp 9/29/09 11:28 AM Page 1 Vinifera, Hybrid, Native and New Varieties grafted on the rootstock of your choice. Own rooted vines also available. Custom Grafting. m o – Mist Sprayers – C American Made Low Maintenance High Performance Excellent for spraying: VINEYARDS, vegetables, orchards, nurseries, Christmas trees, mosquitoes, cattle, chicken houses, etc. 7240 County Road AA, Quinter, KS 67752 For free brochure contact: Swihart Sales Co. Motor Models available We offer a complete line of low volume mist blowers. References available in your area 785-754-3513 or 800-864-4595 www.swihart-sales.com Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2011 117 y S n a a e l p s