The Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA is named for the Eastern Continental Divide which cuts through this unique region of North Carolina. Most of Henderson County is within the AVA, so wines made within this AVA really emphasizes a sense of place.
A Brief History of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA
Officially recognized in 2019, this is the sixth region in North Carolina to receive an AVA designation. It includes the town of Hendersonville,NC and the surrounding area making up most of the total area of Henderson County.
The petition for creating the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA originated from Mark Williams, the executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, on behalf of local vineyards and winery operators. This AVA straddles the Eastern Continental Divide in Henderson County. The larger area is known as the Crest of the Blue Ridge, so to make it clear the location of the AVA, “Henderson County” was added to the name.
Per the petition, the crest separates two physiographic provinces, the Blue Ridge Escarpment, which covers the southern and eastern portions of the AVA, and the Blue Ridge Plateau, which covers the northern and western portions of the AVA. The Blue Ridge Escarpment rises steeply, so that this region of the AVA has an average elevation more than 950 feet higher than the region immediately south, and more than 1,200 feet higher than the region immediately east.
The growing season averages between 200 and 220 days within the AVA. This is shorter than the growing season to the south and east of the AVA but slightly longer than the growing season to the north and west of the AVA. Annual precipitation is lower than regions to the south, east, and west of the AVA but higher than the region north of the AVA.
Quick Facts
Name: Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County
Petitioner: Mark Williams, the executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, on behalf of local vineyards and winery operators
Effective Date: August 19, 2019
Square Miles: 215
Counties within boundaries: Most of Henderson County, NC
Geography: Elevation ranges from 1394 ft to over 4396 ft with mean elevation of 2362 ft
Climate: The mean annual temperature is 55.5 degrees with a growing season that averages 200 – 220 days.
More to consider
The Hendersonville area is a wonderful tourist destination that’s often less busy than Asheville. The AVA is producing some outstanding wines including wonderful Rieslings, Chardonnays, Cabernet Francs, and Cabernet Sauvignons. Be sure to go visit and see for yourself.
Hendersonville, NC is situated within the AVA and offers dining, shopping, adventure, and more!
Recent Episodes of Cork Talk about this AVA
Read More About this AVA
- A Quick Trip to Hendersonville
One of our favorite North Carolina Wine regions to visit is the area just south of Asheville surrounding Hendersonville, NC. There you’ll find 7 unique wineries and vineyards each with a distinctive setting. This region also hosts an American ViticultureContinue reading → - June, 2017 – Visit to Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
We continue a look back at our mid-June wine visit to the Hendersonville / Asheville area. Our second stop was Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards. - June, 2017 – Visit to Burntshirt Vineyards
In mid-June, we planned a weekend getaway. We headed to the Hendersonville / Asheville area. The trip allowed us to relax, visit a “new to us” winery, and revisit other wineries in the area. Here are some of the highlightsContinue reading →
