After a tough 2020 and trying to return to "normal" in 2021, you may be looking for a way to socially distance and get a break from being at home.

Well, good news, our state covers roughly 54,000 square miles from the coastal plain west to our mountains and offers a variety of growing climates. North Carolina is home to roughly 525 vineyards and 185 wineries.


What You Need To Know

  • North Carolina's foothills region is well suited for wine growing

  • One of our state's top winemaking areas is the Yadkin Valley region

  • The Yadkin Valley has a similar climate and growing season as some of the best wine regions in Europe

We have five distinct federally recognized American Viticultural Areas. These AVA zones all offer a different style of wine. Our various climate zones across the state, including these five regions, play a big role in wine production. 

North Carolina's foothills region is well-suited for growing wine. The surrounding mountains provide needed protection from the cold and harsh weather to our north. Plus, the mesoclimates of the region offer a longer growing season compared to the shorter season for our mountain counties.  

Yadkin Valley

One of our state's top winemaking areas is the Yadkin Valley region. It is home to over 1.4 million acres of wine-producing land. The Yadkin Valley has a similar climate and growing season as some of the best wine regions in Europe. 

Varieties produced in the region include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir and others.

So, the next time you think you may want to visit the California side of winemaking, consider visiting what's growing right here in North Carolina. Some good things are going on within an industry that has an estimated $1.97 billion impact on our state.

Proper climate means everything for growing good grapes, and we've got that!​