Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler sits down each week with Southern Farm Network’s Rhonda Garrison to discuss “Today’s Topic.”
September is North Carolina Wine and Grape Month, with plenty of opportunities for wine lovers to celebrate the state’s wine and grape industry.
Commissioner Troxler says it’s a great time of year to celebrate wine and grapes because it lines up with North Carolina’s traditional harvest season for grapes.
Some facts about N.C. wine and grapes:
- North Carolina has more than 180 wineries and 525 grape growers from the mountains to the coast.
- The state also has four American Viticultural Areas: Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek, Haw River and Upper Hiwassee Highlands. Each is federally recognized for its distinctive combination of soil, climate, elevation and wine characteristics.
- North Carolina is the 10th-largest producer of wine in the U.S., and grows about 2,300 acres of grapes annually.
- The wine and grape industry employs nearly 8,000 people across the state, and the total economic impact of the industry is estimated at $1.7 billion.
Following are a few of the special events planned at wineries and vineyards across the state:
- Sept. 3 – Vineyard Deck Music Series at South Creek Winery in Nebo
- Sept. 4 – Grove Winery Wine & Song Concert Series in Gibsonville
- Sept. 10 – Duplin Winery’s Grape Stomp in Rose Hill
- Sept. 10 – Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at South Creek Winery in Nebo
- Sept. 16 – Grape Day at State Farmers Market in Raleigh
- Sept. 17 – Shine to Wine Festival in North Wilkesboro
You can find a list of N.C. wineries, including maps and contact information, by clicking here. And you can listen to Commissioner Troxler and Rhonda talk about N.C. Wine and Grape Month by clicking on the audio player below.
[Audio:/wp-content/uploads/Troxler_8-30-16.mp3|titles=Today’s Topic for Aug. 30]
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