American Viticultural Areas in North Carolina
In the Wine Light we continue our series on American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in North Carolina. Our focus in this post is the second oldest and only AVA to overlap another AVA in North Carolina, the Swan Creek AVA.
Raffaldini Vineyards – Ronda, NC
The petition for creating the Swan Creek AVA originated from Raffaldini Vineyards on behalf of the original Vineyards of the Swan Creek trade association. The Swan Creek name was chosen because the community in the center of the AVA is known as Swan Creek. Also, East and West Swan Creeks run north from the Brushy Mountains and form Swan Creek which empties into the Yadkin River three miles west of Jonesville.
Merlot growing at Shadow Springs Vineyard – Hamptonville, NC
After the Civil War, farming become a primary focus of the area which continues today. At the time of the petition in 2006, there were three wineries and 75 acres of vineyard within the proposed AVA’s boundaries.
Budbreak at Laurel Gray Vineyards – Hamptonville, NC
Today, the Swan Creek AVA is home many more acres of vineyards with seven tasting rooms. More tasting rooms, vineyards, and wineries will be opening within the next few years. Currently, the Swan Creek AVA has the most dense concentration of vineyards and wineries in North Carolina.
View of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Piccione Vineyards – Ronda, NC
Quick Facts
Name: Swan Creek
Petitioner: Raffaldini Vineyards on behalf of the original Vineyards of Swan Creek Association
Effective Date: May 27, 2008
Acres: 96,000
Counties within boundaries: Portions of Wilkes, Yadkin, and Iredell
Overlap with Yadkin Valley: The northern 60% of the Swan Creek AVA is also a part of the Yadkin Valley AVA. The lower 40% is outside of the boundaries of the Yadkin Valley.
Geography: Elevation ranges from 1000 ft to 2000 ft within the AVA boundaries with the Brushy Mountain being a prominent feature
Climate: Temperatures and precipitation are slightly cooler and less wet than the rest of the Yadkin Valley partly due to the Brushy Mountains
Soil: Primarily saprolite, a soft, clay-rich soil derived from weathered felsic (acidic) metamorphic rocks of the Inner Piedmont Belt such as granites, schists, and gneisses
Source: TTB Website
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