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N.C. Wine and Grape Council

The N.C. Wine & Grape Council has taken the lead in marketing, research and education.

Established in 1986 to stimulate growth of the North Carolina grape industry, the N.C. Wine & Grape Council has since taken the lead in marketing, research and education.

 

It has worked toward developing new varieties of grapes that will withstand the variability of climates in the state. In addition to sponsoring grape breeding research, the Wine and Grape Council assists grape growers and winemakers through research which improves production methods and addresses storage and processing concerns for fresh grapes.

 

The council is funded by a portion of the excise taxes on wine bottled in the state. To increase grape sales, the Wine and Grape Council sponsors a multitude of advertising and promotional activities including:

  • Wine & Grape Appreciation Month in September
  • Published literature including brochures which list wineries in the state and direct residents to local pick-your-own muscadine vineyards
  • A grape recipe handout.

 

The Wine and Grape Council provides newcomers to the grape industry with production and marketing ideas. It works with muscadine producers to reach grape buyers in retail chain stores, wineries, and factories.

 

If you have questions about growing grapes for commercial production, marketing, winemaking, or visiting local vineyards, contact the N.C. Wine and Grape Council at:

 

North Carolina Wine and Grape Council

4324 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699-4324

(919) 715-WINE

Fax: (919) 733-8582.

 

History
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.

 

Facts about North Carolina Wine Tax

 

  • Wine Tax:
    • Unfortified Wine (less than 17% alcohol) $0.21 per liter
    • Fortified Wine (17% to 24% alcohol) $0.24 per liter
  • 100 Percent of tax is distributed to N.C. Grape Growers Council to a maximum cap of $800,000.

 

Activities


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.

Information on research and extension proposals that have been funded by the Council, view the funding document. funding document..

News

The most recent North Carolina Wine Industry Summit was held on June 24, 2008. 

View Presentation View Presentation

 

North Carolina Wine and Grape Council Board Members

As of July 1, 2008 Jerry Douglas, Michael Helton and Charlie Shelton were reappointed to the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council for the next term ending in 2012.

Grower Category

Sandon Dennis 2009
Owner, Dennis Vineyards
24043 Endy Rd., Albemarle, NC 28001

 

R. Willard Hinnant, Chair 2011
Owner, Hinnant Farms
2300 Wayne Memorial Drive
Wayne Dental Center, Goldsboro, NC 27534

 

Frank W. Hobson 2009
Owner, RagApple Lassie Vineyards & Winery
S&H Farm & Vineyards Supply
3820 Rockford Rd., Boonville, NC 27011

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Winery Operator Category

Mark Friszolowski 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 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 nomination form.

 

2008 Wine & Grape Council Meeting Schedule

November 6, 2008  - BB&T Corporation, 200 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, NC - 15th Floor, Room 1501

February 5-6, 2009 - Greensboro Airport Marriott (2-day Council Retreat); regular Council meeting on morning of Friday, Feb. 6

April 30, 2009 - NC Department of Commerce in Raleigh, 4th floor Board Room, South Tower

July 30, 2009  - BB&T Corporation, 200 West Second Street, Winston-Salem, NC - 15th Floor, Room 1519

 

Times are TBD.

 
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