Yadkin Valley AVA

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. Yadkin Valley is home to 44 wineries.[5]

Yadkin Valley AVA
Wine region
Jones Von Drehle Vineyard located in the Yadkin Valley
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2003[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofNorth Carolina
Other regions in North CarolinaHaw River Valley AVA, Swan Creek AVA
Climate region6B/7A/7B, humid subtropical with an oceanic climate in higher elevations[2]
Soil conditionsClayey or fine-loamy[2]
Total area1,400,000 acres (5,666 km2)[3]
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 wineries44[2][4][5]

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 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[2]

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 2013, there were 38 wineries operating in the Yadkin Valley.[8] By the end of 2022, there were 44 wineries making wine in the Yadkin Valley.[9]

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. The hardiness zone is mostly 7A and 7B, with 6B in some higher areas.[2][10]

Travel

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.[11]

Local wine festivals

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.[12] The Budbreak Wine and Craft Beer Festival is usually held in downtown Mount Airy, North Carolina on the first Saturday in May.[13][14]

Wineries

References
  1. "§ 9.174 Yadkin Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  2. "Yadkin Valley Viticultural Area (2001R-88P)" (27 CFR 9 67 FR 5756). Federal Register. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau. February 7, 2002. pp. 5756–5761. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  3. "Yadkin Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2007.
  4. Whit Winslow (April 1, 2020). "NC Wine Media Center". NC Wine.
  5. "How Many Wineries Are in the Yadkin Valley". www.yadkinvalleync.com. Yadkin Valley, NC. August 17, 2021.
  6. McKay, Gretchen (June 20, 2010). "North Carolina wineries are on the map now, too". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  7. "Agricultural Science". Surry Community College. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  8. "Saving 2012 grape crop a big boost for Carolina wine industry". Farm Progress. 2013-03-26. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  9. "Media Center - North Carolina Wine & Grape Council | NCWine.org".
  10. "Yadkin County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a and 7b". Plantmaps.com.
  11. Thompson, Annette (November 2007). "Carolina's Wine Country". Southern Living. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  12. Murray, Arthur O. (August 2006). "Yadkin wineries try to crush a festival". Business North Carolina. 26 (8): 20–22.
  13. Hastings, Michael (April 30, 2019). "Budbreak wine and beer festival will be May 4 in Mount Airy". Winston-Salem Journal.
  14. "Budbreak Festival - Home".

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