Carolina's Wine Country

 

"The Yadkin Valley is like a treasure hunt," says Kim Myers of Laurel Gray Vineyards. "Each winery is as distinct as its owner's tastes."

 

Fog settles over the sleepy river valley in early morning, creating a striking November scene. The last few clusters of bruised purple grapes cling to vines, a treat for the birds more than the winemakers. Sound like France or California? Think again. This is North Carolina's Yadkin Valley, home to some of the South's finest vines and most creative winemakers.

Take a journey through this blessed stretch between Lexington, North Carolina, and the Virginia state line, where the roots of two dozen boutique wineries reach deep into the rich soil. The French call the essence of their wine regions' soils and climates "terroir," but in these parts, we know it simply as good Tar Heel taste.

"The Yadkin Valley is like a treasure hunt," says Kim Myers of Laurel Gray Vineyards. "Each winery is as distinct as its owner's tastes." Some reside in plush châteaus with dozens of employees, while others are so small you meet the proprietors at the tastings. Welcoming first-timers and sophisticates alike, all the stops are hospitable.