The Upper Hiwassee Highlands is the fourth AVA in the state of North Carolina. This region is also shared with the state of Georgia where the name originates. Most of the region is located in the far western part of North Carolina with plenty of great wine being produced there.
A Brief History of the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA
The petition for creating the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA originated from Eric Carlson, owner of Calaboose Cellars, on behalf of himself and members of the Vineyard and Winery Operators of the Upper Hiwassee River Basin group.
The Upper Hiwassee Highlands name was chosen due to the AVA’s location along the upper portions of the Hiwassee River, from the river’s headwaters in Towns County, Georgia, to the Hiwassee Dam on Hiwassee Lake in Cherokee County, North Carolina. The portion of the river that flows north of the dam, outside the proposed viticultural area, is often referred to as the “lower” river. Highlands denotes the high, rugged, regions of the southern portion of the Appalachians and are terms used by businesses and organizations within the AVA.
Upper Hiwasee Highlands was the first AVA in North Carolina to be shared with another state, in this case, Georgia. It covers portions of Cherokee and Clay counties in southwestern North Carolina and portions of Town, Union, and Fannin Counties in northern Georgia. At the time of the petition in 2013 there were 26 commercial vineyards located throughout the proposed viticultural area, growing approximately 54 acres of French-American hybrids, American grape varieties, and Vitis vinifera.
Quick Facts
Name: Upper Hiwassee Highlands
Petitioner: Eric Carlson, owner of Calaboose Cellars, on behalf of himself and members of the Vineyard and Winery Operators of the Upper Hiwassee River Basin group
Effective Date: August 14, 2014
Square Miles: 690
Counties within boundaries: Portions of Cherokee and Clay in North Carolina and Towns, Union, and Fannin in Georgia
Geography: Elevation ranges from 2000 to 2400 ft which is lower than most of the surrounding area and the AVA boundary approximating the boundary of the watershed for the upper portion of the Hiwassee River
Climate: Warmer than the surrounding regions to the north, east, and south and slightly cooler than the region to the west with 161 to 168 freeze free days
Soil: Deep, moderately to well drained, and moderately fertile
More to consider
Today the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA continues to produce top quality grapes and wines. From the scenic mountain views to the quaint mountain towns and friendly people, it’s a great wine destination for North Carolina. The Western North Carolina Cheese Trail also operates several dairy farms in the region offering locally crafted cheeses.
Murphy and Andrews are the two main towns within the region. However, Atlanta and other towns in northern Georgia are not far off.
