Jump to content

Yadkin Valley AVA

Edit links
Coordinates: 36°22′30″N 80°56′34″W / 36.37512612°N 80.94291411°W / 36.37512612; -80.94291411
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yadkin Valley
Wine region
Jones Von Drehle Vineyard in Yadkin Valley
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2003[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofNorth Carolina
Other regions in North CarolinaAppalachian High Country AVA, Haw River Valley AVA, Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA
Sub-regionsSwan Creek AVA
Growing season176 days[2]
Climate regionRegion IV[2]
Heat units3743 GDD[2]
Precipitation (annual average)46.22 in (1,173.99 mm)[1]
Soil conditionsClayey or fine-loamy[1]
Total area1,416,600 acres (2,213 sq mi)[1]
Size of planted vineyards350 acres (142 ha)[1]
Grapes producedAleatico, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Malbec, Malvasia, Merlot, Montepulciano, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Niagara, Petit Verdot, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Cynthiana/Norton, Sauvignon blanc, Seyval blanc, Syrah, Vermentino, Viognier[3]
No. of wineries45[4]

Yadkin Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) expanding across seven counties of northwestern North Carolina. The viticultural area encompasses approximately 1,416,600 acres (2,213 sq mi) in the Yadkin River valley. The appellation includes all of Wilkes, Surry, and Yadkin counties, and portions of Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, and Stokes counties. It was recognized as North Carolina's first AVA on February 7, 2003 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Patricia McRitchie of McRitchie Associates, LLC, on behalf of Shelton Vineyards, Inc., Dobson, North Carolina, to establish a viticultural area within the State of North Carolina, to be known as "Yadkin Valley."[1]

History

[edit]

Yadkin Valley had a pre-Prohibition wine industry, when North Carolina produced the most wine than any other state, centered on the native Muscadine vine. The 18th Amendment prohibited the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors nationwide in 1920. Vineyards were uprooted in favor of tobacco and soybeans which became the cash crops. For decades, the area was a key tobacco-growing region. However, as tobacco farming and cigarette manufacturing in the area declined, some entrepreneurs, including tobacco farmers, have transformed the fertile land to viticulture. The native grapes of this region of the southeastern United States include Vitis cordifolia, Vitis labrusca, Vitis aestivalis, Vitis cinerea, and Vitis rotundifolia (muscadine and scuppernong). Early attempts to grow the European wine grape, Vitis vinifera, in the southeastern United States, including 18th century efforts by Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, Virginia, had mixed success. But in the past two to three decades, viticultural research has helped these grapes to survive the climate, soil, and pests of the region.[5] Additionally, Surry Community College, located in Dobson, North Carolina, has served as a valuable community resource for this growing industry by offering certificate and degree programs in viticulture and enology.[6] In 2005, Davidson County Community College formed a partnership with Surry Community College for the delivery of the viticulture and enology program/certifications in Davidson and Davie counties.[1]

in 2002, Charlie and Ed Shelton of Shelton Vineyards petitioned the ATF to recognize Yadkin Valley as an AVA, allowing winemakers to bottle wines with a label indicating that the wine was sourced from the Yadkin Valley. In 2005, there were 14 wineries and 400 acres (162 ha) of vineyards in the region. By 2013, there was 38 wineries operating in the Yadkin Valley.[7] As of 2024, there are 45 wineries resident in the appellation.[8][4]

Geography

[edit]

The Yadkin Valley area is in the piedmont and foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One of the most recognizable landmarks in the AVA is Pilot Mountain. The hardiness zone is mostly 7b and ranges from 7a to 8a.[1][9]

Travel

[edit]

Decanter Magazine published a story about the Yadkin Valley region in October 2021.

Southern Living Magazine published a feature story about the Yadkin Valley region in November 2007.[10]

Local wine festivals

[edit]

The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival is traditionally held the third Saturday in May at the Municipal Park in Elkin. The Yadkin Valley Grape Festival is held the third Saturday in October in Yadkinville. Prior to 2005, these wineries also participated in the North Carolina Wine Festival.[11] The Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival is usually held in downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina on the first Saturday in May.[12][13]

Wineries

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Yadkin Valley Viticultural Area (2001R–88P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. No. ATF–485; Re: Notice No. 936] RIN 1512–AC82 Final Rule). Federal Register. 67 (236). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 72834–72840. December 9, 2002.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c "Yadkin Valley Viticultural Area (2001R–88P))" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No. 936] RIN: 1512–AA07 Prosposed Rule). Federal Register. 67 (26). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 5756–5761. February 7, 2002.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Yadkin Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "How Many Wineries Are in the Yadkin Valley". Yadkin Valley, NC. Tourism Partnership of Surry County. August 17, 2021.
  5. ^ McKay, Gretchen (June 20, 2010). "North Carolina wineries are on the map now, too". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "Agricultural Science". Surry Community College. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  7. ^ "Saving 2012 grape crop a big boost for Carolina wine industry". Farm Progress. March 26, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Media Center - North Carolina Wine & Grape Council | NCWine.org".
  9. ^ "North Carolina". 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. USDA. 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Thompson, Annette (November 2007). "Carolina's Wine Country". Southern Living. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  11. ^ Murray, Arthur O. (August 2006). "Yadkin wineries try to crush a festival". Business North Carolina. 26 (8): 20–22.
  12. ^ Hastings, Michael (April 30, 2019). "Budbreak wine and beer festival will be May 4 in Mount Airy". Winston-Salem Journal.
  13. ^ "Budbreak Festival - Home".
[edit]

36°22′30″N 80°56′34″W / 36.37512612°N 80.94291411°W / 36.37512612; -80.94291411

Stub icon

This wine region article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yadkin_Valley_AVA&oldid=1253018882"