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]
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]
Yadkin County is located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 38,406. Its county seat is Yadkinville.
Wilkes County is a county located in the US state of North Carolina. It is a part of the state's western mountain region. As of the 2010 census, the population was 69,340. Its county seat is Wilkesboro, and its largest town is North Wilkesboro. Wilkes County comprises the North Wilkesboro, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Surry County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 73,673. Its county seat is Dobson, and its largest city is Mount Airy.
Forsyth County is located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 350,670, making it the fourth-most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Winston-Salem.
Davie County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,240. Its county seat is Mocksville.
Davidson County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 162,878. Its county seat is Lexington, and its largest city is Thomasville.
Winston-Salem is a city in and the county seat of Forsyth County, North Carolina, United States. With a 2019 estimated population of 247,945 it is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region, the fifth most populous city in North Carolina, the third largest urban area in North Carolina, and the ninetieth most populous city in the United States. With a metropolitan population of 680,876 it is the fourth largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. Winston-Salem is home to the tallest office building in the region, 100 North Main Street, formerly known as the Wachovia Building and now known locally as the Wells Fargo Center.
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,116 at the 2000 census and 4,245 at the 2010 census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in the community. The town is also known as one of the birthplaces of the sport of stock-car racing, and the North Wilkesboro Speedway was the first NASCAR-sanctioned track. Due to the town's proximity to the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains and the numerous tourist venues there, North Wilkesboro has been nicknamed the "Key to the Blue Ridge".
Jonesville, originally called Allen's Settlement, is the oldest town in Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States, and was once recognized as the largest town west of Raleigh. The population was 2,285 at the 2010 census, however, it grew by nearly 800 residents in 2001 when it merged with neighboring Arlington.
Elkin is a town in Surry and Wilkes counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, along the Yadkin River. Elkin shares its name with the surrounding township of Elkin Township. The population was 4,001 at the 2010 census.
Pilot Mountain, a metamorphic quartzite monadnock rising to a peak 2,421 feet (738 m) above sea level, is one of the most distinctive natural features in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is a remnant of the ancient chain of Sauratown Mountains. The Saura Native Americans, the region's earliest known inhabitants, called the mountain "Jomeokee", meaning "great guide".
The Yadkin Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes land in eight counties of northwestern North Carolina. The AVA encompasses an area of approximately 1,400,000 acres (5,666 km2) in the Yadkin River valley. The Yadkin Valley AVA includes all of Wilkes, Surry, and Yadkin counties, and parts of Davie, Davidson, Forsyth, Iredell, and Stokes counties. Yadkin Valley is home to 48 wineries.
Yadkin Financial Corporation was a bank holding company and the parent of Yadkin Bank, a defunct regional bank with $7.3 billion in assets and 110 branches in North and South Carolina before the 2017 purchase by FNB Corporation of Pittsburgh. The bank was headquartered in Elkin, North Carolina.
Tanglewood Park is a recreation center and park in Clemmons, Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA. It is located on the Yadkin River between Clemmons and Bermuda Run. It is home to the annual "Tanglewood Festival of Lights," a display of lights in the wintertime celebrating the holidays. Additional attractions include the Tanglewood Park Arboretum and Rose Garden, a public pool, a dog park, horse stables, and Mallard Lake for fishing and paddleboat renting. Tanglewood has two golf courses, the Championship Course and the Reynolds Course. The former hosted the PGA Championship in 1974, won by Lee Trevino, with Jack Nicklaus one stroke back.
Hamptonville is an unincorporated community located in southwestern Yadkin County, North Carolina, United States. Hamptonville is named for Henry Hampton (1750–1832), a colonel in the Revolutionary Army. Hampton set aside land for a town in 1806.
In 2019, North Carolina's total gross state product was around $591 billion. Most North Carolinian people sold text tiles.
Shelton Vineyards is a vineyard located in Dobson, North Carolina. Of over 95 North Carolina wineries, Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. Located in the Yadkin Valley near Mt. Airy, the estate is 406-acre (1.64 km2) acres. The Shelton Vineyards' wines are reflective of the terroir of the Yadkin Valley. Shelton Vineyards has produced many award-winning wines.
Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. is a subsidiary of Alcoa Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its three divisions were independent subsidiaries before being consolidated into Alcoa Power Generating, Inc. (APGI). These three projects have produced hydroelectric power and manage impoundments which also provide flood control; recreation, residential and business opportunities; and wildlife habitat.
The North Carolina Science Festival (NCSF) is a month-long, yearly celebration encompassing hundreds of events throughout the state of North Carolina. The festival is organized by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus with the goal of highlighting the educational, cultural and economic impact of science in the state. NCSF events include hands-on activities, talks, lab tours, exhibits and performances for all ages. The event has grown into the largest science festival in the world.
The Yadkin Valley Wine Festival is an annual wine festival held on the third Saturday of May at Elkin Municipal Park in Elkin, North Carolina. Vineyards in the Yadkin Valley AVA are exclusively featured in this one-day festival. Thirty wineries and vineyards participated in 2013 festival.