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News and Events

You don’t have to look far to find North Carolina wine and events in the news.  This section provides links to current news in the national as well as local press.  See the links below to find out about events happening in the N.C. wine industry, our newsletters and competitions.

 



News

For information about the North Carolina wine and grape industry, view NC Wine & Grape Fast Facts NC Wine & Grape Fast Facts.  Media members can find press kits and additional information at media.visitnc.com.


Below is the latest in North Carolina wine industry news:

 

  • North Carolina moves up to rank 7th in the U.S. in wine production in 2009.

  • 2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition Awards 289 Medals
    The 10th Annual N.C. State Fair Wine Competition, held October 7-8 in Raleigh, had 416 wines submitted by 51 N.C. wineries.  Childress Vineyards took home the N.C. Winegrowers Cup and Best of Show honors with its 2006 Cabernet Franc. Biltmore Winery led the medal count with 43 awards. Cypress Bend Vineyards took the N.C. Muscadine Cup for best Muscadine wine for its Campbell.

    See more about the 2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition and commercial and amateur results.

 

  • 2009 North Carolina Wine Industry Summit
    The 2009 North Carolina Wine Industry Summit report contains detailed information on the council's 2008-2009 marketing, public relations and research efforts.  View the summit presentation and additional reports below.

Wine Summit Report 2009 Wine Summit Report 2009

Public Relations Efforts 08-09 Public Relations Efforts 08-09
Public Relations Value & Placements 08-09 Public Relations Value & Placements 08-09

Billboard Advertising Locations 08-09 Billboard Advertising Locations 08-09
Fresh Muscadine Marketing Update Fresh Muscadine Marketing Update

 

  • Haw River Valley AVA Established
    The TTB announced in March the establishment of the Haw River Valley AVA.  Haw River is the third AVA in North Carolina, joining Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek.  The new AVA took effect April 29, 2009.  Read the story in Wines & Vines.

 

 

 

 

 

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Events

We are dedicated to supporting North Carolina's growing number of vineyards and wineries by providing the latest consumer and vendor events in your area.

You can also see Educational Meetings, Seminars and Workshops happening in NC and other states.  To find out about wine festivals and tastings targeted to consumers, go to VisitNCWine.com. You can also visit  Local Wine Events.com.


Festivals & Tasting Events

September

 

October

 

November

 

 

Industry Meetings

  • October 28 - NC Wine & Grape Council Meeting - NC Department of Commerce in Raleigh, 4th floor Board Room, South Tower, Time TBD

  • November 8-10 - WineAmerica Fall 2010 Board of Directors and Membership Meeting - Hampton Inn and Suites at Shelton Vineyards, Dobson, NC
      - WineAmerica Meeting Agenda WineAmerica Meeting Agenda

 

Other Events

 

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Electronic Newsletter Sign-Up and Archives

Sign Up To Receive Our Electronic Newsletters

 

Sign up for our newsletters and discover fresh news about recent legislation, industry tips, and other items of interest every quarter.  Be sure to visit the archives for current and past issues.

 

Consumer Newsletter: Carolina Uncorked is published quarterly to keep wine lovers up to date on the latest North Carolina wine news, special events and noteworthy stories. Subscribe... 

 

Industry Newsletter: From the Cellar is published quarterly to keep wineries and wine professionals up to date on news that affects your business. Subscribe...

 

Newsletter Archives

 

 

 

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Awards and Competitions

The N.C. State Fair Wine Competition is held at the North Carolina State Fair in October in Raleigh, and includes commercial and amateur competitions.

Commercial and amateur divisions are judged by a panel of 6 to 10 judges. The commercial division awards double gold, gold, silver, and bronze medals.  The top wines of the competition compete for the Winegrower's Cup (best of show) and the Muscadine Cup.  The commercial division is open to wines produced by bonded North Carolina wineries.  There is a $20 fee per wine entered in the commercial competition and entry fees are payable to NC State Fair.

The amateur division is open only to home winemakers in North Carolina.  Amateur winemakers may only use home prepared juices - therefore, wines from concentrates or kits are ineligible for entry. Winemakers need not attend the competition to enter.  There is no fee for amateur entries.

2010 N.C. State Fair Wine Competition
Judging will occur on October 6-7.  Commercial and amateur entries can be received starting August 23 through September 10. 

To enter the competition, view Wine Competition Rules and Entry Form 2010 Wine Competition Rules and Entry Form 2010.  Gold medal commercial winners and amateur winners will be on display at the N.C. State Fair Oct. 14-24.

 

 

  • 2009 - NC State Fair Wine Competition Awards 289 Medals In Commercial Winery Division
    The 10th Annual N.C. State Fair Wine Competition, held October 7-8 in Raleigh, judged 416 wines submitted by 51 N.C. wineries.  Childress Vineyards took home the N.C. Winegrowers Cup and Best of Show honors with its 2006 Cabernet Franc. Biltmore Winery led the medal count with 43 awards. Cypress Bend Vineyards took the N.C. Muscadine Cup for best Muscadine wine for its Campbell.

    Three panels of professional judges evaluated wines and awarded 26 double gold, 40 gold, 102 silver, and 121 bronze medals. Double gold medals are awarded for unanimous decisions from the judges. Competitions were open only to N.C. winemakers, and commercial entries had to be submitted by bonded N.C. wineries. The state is home to 89 commercial wineries and several more are expected to open within the next year.

    In addition to the commercial wine competition, 116 amateur wines were also judged.  These home-grown wines were entered by N.C. hobbyist winemakers.  Ribbons were presented to first, second and third place winners for each class of wine.  Best of Show in the amateur competition was awarded to Daisy King of Pinnacle.

Highest Honors

Winery

Wine Name

Best of Show

Childress Vineyards

Cabernet Franc 2006

Best of Muscadine

Cypress Bend Vineyards

Campbell

Best Red Vinifera

Childress Vineyards

Cabernet Franc 2006

Best White Vinifera

Cellar 4201

Stainless Chardonnay

Best Fruit Wine

Sanctuary Vineyards

Blackberry

Best Sparkling Wine

Shelton Vineyards

Blanc de Blanc Brut 2005

Best White Native American

Sanders Ridge Vineyard

Carlos

Best Red Native American

Cypress Bend Vineyards

Campbell

Best Muscadine Rose/Blush

Lu Mil Vineyard

Bladen Blush

Best Vinifera Rose/Blush

McRitchie Vineyards

Pale Rider


2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition Winners:


2009 NC State Fair Wine Competition Judges Notes:
All entrants received a password from the NC Wine & Grape Council.  If you have difficulty downloading these files, please contact us at 919-715-9463.  For information about the judges, view 2009 Judges Bios 2009 Judges Bios.

 

  • NC State Fair Wine Competition Winners

     Year 

    Best of Show

    Best of Muscadine

    Amateur Best of Show

     2009 

    Childress Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2006

    Cypress Bend Vineyards Campbell

    Daisy King

     2008 

    Childress Vineyards Barrel Select Cabernet Franc 2006

    Old Stone Vineyards Sweet Muscadine

    Keith Lawrence

     2007 

    McRitchie Winery Chardonnay 2006

    Duplin Winery Magnolia

    Scott Pearson

     2006 

    Childress Vineyards Syrah 2004

    Duplin Winery Magnolia

    Scott Pearson

     2005 

    Iron Gate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

    Duplin Winery Magnolia

    Jacqueline Vasterling

     2004 

    RagApple Lassie Vineyards Chardonnay 2003

    Old North State Winery Starlight White

    David Smith

     2003 

    Westbend Vineyards Muscat Canelli 2002

    Hinnant Family Vineyards Muscadine Blush

    Bart Hodges

     2002 

    Shelton Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2000

    Dennis Vineyards Sweet Noble 2001

    Linda Hall

     2001 

    Shelton Vineyards NC Chardonnay 2000

     

    Scott Lawrence

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