This is one of the regions that I grew up with that originally produced tobacco and with the decline in tobacco in North Carolina, grape growing and wine-making has increased significantly. There are now over 120 wineries near the Western part of the state where I grew up at. North Carolina wineries, and their three grape growing regions and two AVAs, Yadkin and Swan Valleys, focus on a wide array of grapes to include labrusca, vinifera and French-American hybrids.
North Carolina wineries and vineyards are located at a wide range of elevations; from 6000 feet in the western part of the state to sea level in the east, with an accompanying increase in average temperature.
North Carolina is the birthplace of the scuppernong grape, and is home to one of the most visited wineries in the U.S., Biltmore Estates. Dozens of wineries are located within an hours drive of Raleigh and Charlotte.
Tours typically last from 30 to 60 minutes per tour and they are well worth your time to check out the different ones. Each one has their own flavors, beauty, and charm to experience.
What is even more awesome is that most wineries offer free samples of their wines when you go through a tour as well. Some do more formal tasting events as well. The tours are extremely interesting and fun to do too. They aren't just there to sample the wine that you're looking forward to but are actually very informative and you get to meet a lot of like-minded people usually that are also doing the tour. It's always nice to a fellow wine lover! - Be sure to call ahead if you are planning on doing a tour at one of the wineries or vineyards though to check on availability since many of them get very busy during season.
