In 1972 the N.C. Legislature passed a preferential state excise tax law designed to foster the establishment of a wine industry in North Carolina. Wines produced from 51% or more native fruits and berries were taxed at five cents per gallon as opposed to 60 cents per gallon for all other wines.

After this incentive wineries opened all over the state including:

• Duplin Wine Cellars in Rose Hill in 1976 producing wines based upon the state's native muscadines
• Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville in 1978 with its wines based upon traditional European-style vinifera grapes
• Germanton Vineyard and Winery in 1981 with wines made from French-American hybrids.

Unfortunately, the state lost its preferential tax rate in 1985 following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Bacchus Case which declared such laws to be a violation of the freedom of commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution.

In 1986 the N.C. Grape Growers Association led an effort to sponsor legislation to create the North Carolina Grape Growers Council. SB994 was introduced and ratified in 1986 to create the 11-member council. The council was charged with stimulating the growth of the state's wine and grape industry by sponsoring research, education and promotional efforts.

As a result of the council’s work, wineries and fresh grape producers report increased demand each year. Growth in vinifera and French-American hybrid acreage is expected to continue in the piedmont and mountains as public inquiries about winegrape production continue to increase.

Learn about the Wineries in North Carolina.

Learn about Grape Growing in North Carolina.

• Wine Tax:
• Unfortified Wine (less than 17% alcohol) $0.2634 per liter
• Fortified Wine (17% to 24% alcohol) $0.2934 per liter
  
  

The North Carolina Wine and Grape Growers Council has funded a broad range of educational, research, and promotional activities since its inception. Examples include:

• Educational Efforts:
  • Production of electronic industry newsletter and consumer newsletter.
  • Creation of four-color winery brochure Discover North Carolina Wines.
  • Creation of muscadine grape pick-your-own directory.
  • Creation of recipe sheets for muscadine grapes and wine.
  • Constant dissemination of information to farmers interested in planting vineyards.
  • Public education about North Carolina wines and grapes.
  • Assistance of N.C. Grape Growers Association and N.C. Winegrower's Association with organization, educational meetings, communication and publicity.
• Research Efforts:
  • Production of Mid-Atlantic Winegrape Grower's Guide through NCSU Agriculture Communications.
  • Continued support for research at Castle Hayne Horticultural Research Station:
    A muscadine variety and trellising trial
    A muscadine grape cold storage study.
  • Partial funding of a cold hardiness study of vitis vinifera grapevines at Virginia Tech
  • Implementation of winegrape variety trials in western North Carolina in cooperation with Virginia Tech
  • Annual support for a private grape breeder to continue a successful grape breeding effort following the elimination of the grape breeding program at NCSU.
• Promotional Efforts:
  • Print advertising highlighting North Carolina wineries as tourist attractions and increasing direct sales opportunities.
  • Radio and cooperative retail advertising to promote North Carolina muscadine grapes as fresh fruit in retail chain stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, increasing the return per acre to growers.
  • Press releases to generate publicity and educate media.
  • Events at state farmers' markets and private vineyards and wineries: celebrity grape stomps, grape, jelly, juice and wine tastings.
  • Public relations with all aspects of the grape industry from growers and researchers to retailers and consumers, at the state and national level.

• October 29, 2009 Council Meeting
  Kim Myers was appointed as a council member by Secretary Keith Crisco to the NC Wine & Grape Council.
  
   Communications Update

• July 30, 2009 Council Meeting
   LKM Advertising and PR Update 7-30-09
   Muscadine Grape Breeding Program Update 7-30-09

• 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

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

 Billboard Advertising Locations 08-09
 Fresh Muscadine Marketing Update

• 2008 North Carolina Wine Industry Summit

The 2008 Wine Industry Summit was held on June 24, 2008.  For more information on the council's 2007-2008 marketing, public relations and research efforts, view the summit presentation below.

 View Presentation

As of Feb. 6, 2009, Secretary of North Carolina Department of Commerce Keith Crisco appointed Joe Neely as chair and Mark Friszolowski as vice chair to the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. 

Grower Category

Jerry Douglas, 2012
Senior VP Biltmore Brands, The Biltmore Company
One North Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801

Bill Hatcher, Sr., 2011
Duplin Wine Cellars / Duplin Health Products
PO Box 756, Rose Hill, NC 28458

Robert Hinnant, 2011
Hinnant Farms
2300 Wayne Memorial Drive
Wayne Dental Center, Goldsboro, NC 27534

Frank W. Hobson, 2013
Owner, RagApple Lassie Vineyards & Winery
S&H Farm & Vineyards Supply
3820 Rockford Rd., Boonville, NC 27011

Kim Myers, 2013
Owner, Laurel Gray Vineyards
5726 Old US Hwy 421 W
Hamptonville, NC 27020

Charles M. Shelton, 2012
Owner, Shelton Vineyards
The Shelton Companies
4201 Congress St. Suite 470, Charlotte, NC 28209

Dan Smith, 2009
Owner, Cypress Bend Vineyards
21904 Riverton Road, Wagram, NC 28396

Winery Operator Category

Mark Friszolowski, Vice Chair 2009
Winemaker & General Manager, Childress Vineyards
1000 Childress Vineyards Rd, Lexington, NC 27295

Michael Helton, 2012
Owner, Hanover Park Vineyard
1927 Courtney-Huntsville Rd, Yadkinville, NC 27055

Joe Neely, Chair 2011
Owner, RayLen Vineyards
3577 US Hwy 158, Mocksville, NC 27028

Retailer Category

Edward T. Cook, 2011
Harris Teeter
701 Crestdale Drive, Matthews, NC 28105

If you would like to serve or nominate someone to serve on the 11-member Grape Council, download this  nomination form.