North Carolina Wine Festival
The North Carolina Wine Festival is one of several annual events showcasing vineyards from all across the state of North Carolina. It is the largest one-day wine festival in the state.[1] It began in 2001 as a way to showcase the over 100 different wineries in the state. It was held at Tanglewood Park, in Clemmons, North Carolina.[2] The 20th annual festival will be held on 16 October 2021 and have over 30 participating wineries; there was no event in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic was to blame.[3] The general manager for WSJS-AM, Tom Hamilton, is also the festival director.[1]
More than just a wine-tasting, the event features many bands, activities, food and apparel vendors. Attendance in 2012 was estimated to be between 12,000 and 15,000 people.[4]
Revenue from wineries produces over $1.2 billion in annual sales, making North Carolina the 10th largest U.S. state in wine production. North Carolina is the world's largest producer of muscadine wines.[5]
2005 split[edit]
In 2005 several wineries of the Yadkin Valley AVA pulled out of the event citing low sales and little exposure compared to other events and activities taking place at the festival. The Yadkin Valley Winegrowers Association formed their own festival held shortly after the NC Wine Festival.[6]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Bryant, Christian (May 25, 2011). "Tale of Two Wine Festivals". Yes! Weekly. Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "The Annual North Carolina Wine Festival at Tanglewood Park". localwineevents.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2012.
- ^ "30 wineries to take part in N.C. fest". Winston-Salem Journal. 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
- ^ Graff, Laura (May 26, 2012). "Wine-tasters brave heat to try N.C. wines". Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ McCain, Tracy (May 14, 2012). "NC Ranks Number 10 In The Nation For Wine Production". WFMY-TV. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ Murray, Arthur O. (August 2006). "Yadkin wineries try to crush a festival". Business North Carolina. 26 (8): 20–22.