Yadkin Valley AVA

Yadkin Valley AVA

Wine region
File:VineyardNC.jpg Vineyard in Swan Creek, Yadkin Valley
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	2002
Country	USA
Part of	North Carolina
Other regions in North Carolina	Haw River Valley AVA
Sub-regions	Swan Creek AVA
Climate region	Humid subtropical
Total area	1,400,000 acres (5,666 km2)
Size of planted vineyards	400 acres (162 ha)
Grapes produced	Aleatico, 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/NortonSauvignon blanc, Seyval blanc, Syrah, Vermentino, Viognier
No. of wineries	38

The Yadkin Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes land in seven counties of northwestern North Carolina. The AVA encompasses an area of approximately 1,400,000 acres (5,666 km²) in the Yadkin River valley. The Yadkin Valley AVA includes all of Wilkes, Surry, and Yadkin counties, and parts of Davie, Davidson, Forsyth and Stokes counties.

History

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 turned to winemaking. The native grapes of this region of the southeastern United States are the Muscadine and the 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 adapt these grapes to the climate, soil, and pests of the region. 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. 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.

In 2003, in an effort led by Charlie and Ed Shelton of Shelton Vineyards, the United States' Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives approved the new appellation for the region with the name Yadkin Valley AVA, allowing winemakers to bottle wines with a label indicating that the wine came from the Yadkin Valley. In 2005, there were 14 wineries and 400 acres (162 ha) of vineyards in the region. By 2005, the number of wine producers had increased to 23. By 2013, there were 38 wineries operating in the Yadkin Valley.

Geography

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.

Travel

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

Local wine festivals

The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival is 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. The 'Shine to Wine Festival is held in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina the first Saturday in May. Prior to 2005, these wineries also participated in the North Carolina Wine Festival. The Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival is held the 1st Saturday in May in downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina. www.budbreakfestival.com

See also

• Shelton Vineyards
• Yadkin Valley Wine Festival
• Childress Vineyards
• JOLO Winery & Vineyards

External links

• North Carolina Grape Council
• Map of all of the Yadkin Valley Wineries
• Surry Community College Department of Viticulure & Enology
• Yadkin Valley Wine Festival Homepage
• Yadkin Valley Wine Trail - lists wineries, dining, lodging, ancillary visitor information
• Yadkin Valley Wine Country