The Haw River Valley is the third official AVA in North Carolina. It is driven by the Haw River which winds through the region. Its close proximity to Greensboro, NC makes it an enticing draw for people in the Triad and it’s not too far from the Triangle region as well!
A Brief History of the Haw River Valley AVA
The petition for creating the Haw River Valley AVA originated from Patricia McRitchie on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers. The Haw River Valley name was chosen because the Haw River.
The Haw River’s name is derived from the Sissipahaw Native Americans who once lived in small villages along the river. The boundaries of the AVA are composed of nearly all of the Haw River’s watershed. At the time of the petition there were over 60 acres of vineyards and 6 wineries within the proposed boundaries.
Today the Haw River Valley continues to be an important wine growing region for North Carolina. It has 214 frost-free growing days, making it a great region for growing grapes. It is situated between the booming Research Triangle and the Piedmont Triad, and it’s easily accessible from two of North Carolina’s largest metropolitan areas.
Quick Facts
Name: Haw River Valley
Petitioner: Patricia McRitchie on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers
Effective Date: April 29, 2009
Square Miles: 868
Counties within boundaries: Portions of Guilford, Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Orange, and Rockingham
Geography: Elevation ranges from 350 ft in the southeastern corner of the boundary to over 800 ft in the northwestern corner
Climate: Temperatures are moderate with more precipitation as compared to the surrounding areas. The growing season and frost-free days generally run from April 1 to November 1.
Soil: Variety of soil types that are deep and well drained; These tend to be acidic with low fertility.
More to consider
The Haw River Valley AVA is a prime location for growing grapes and attracts visitors from the nearby Triad and Triangle regions. To the west, you can easily visit Greensboro. To the east you have Durham and Chapel Hill. To the south is Pittsboro, Cary and Raleigh.
