The Yadkin Valley Is One of the Fastest Growing AVAs

When most people think of wine-growing regions in the U.S., California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys come to mind—not the South. And certainly not North Carolina, which is perhaps better known for its whole hog barbecue than its vino. But with over 200 wineries, the Old North State is steadily transforming into one of the country’s most exciting and diverse wine states. 

“Most travelers, honestly, are surprised by just how beautiful and varied our wine regions are, from the coastal plains to the rolling hills of the Piedmont to the mountain views in the west,” says Nicole Chesney, executive director of the North Carolina Wine and Grape Council. “No matter where you are in North Carolina, you’re never more than an hour away from a wine, cider, or mead producer.”

There are currently five American Viticultural Areas (aka a designated wine growing region) in North Carolina, but perhaps the most well-known and oldest is the Yadkin Valley AVA, located about 80 miles east of Asheville in the foothills of the southern Appalachian mountains. Here, you’ll find rolling vineyards, rich soils, and deeply rooted traditions.

Local producers such as Jolo Winery & Vineyards are putting the region on the national map, earning awards and recognition from the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and the American Wine Society’s National Conference. Jolo also has an award-winning sister operation, Rayson Winery, that’s collecting accolades and praises across the country as well. Jolo, along with other vineyards and wineries in the valley, are making the case that the Yadkin is a genuine contender against other famed grape growing regions such as Napa and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.

The Little-known History of North Carolina’s Wine Country

Yadkin Valley was North Carolina’s first AVA, and it earned its official designation in 2003—but the area has a long, storied agricultural history. When European settlers arrived in the early 1700s, tobacco quickly became the cash crop, but archaeological evidence suggests that Indigenous peoples have been cultivating the land as far back as 500 B.C.

“When I was doing the research on where to open a winery, I was blown away by the history of North Carolina and the Yadkin Valley, especially,” said JW Ray, owner and winemaker of Jolo Winery and Rayson Winery. “It’s one of the oldest [agricultural] regions on the planet.”

In a word, the soil in the Yadkin Valley is special—it’s rich, fertile, red, and fueled by nutrients delivered by the Yadkin River. It’s a mix of clay, mica, fine loam, and can hold enough moisture to combat the higher temperatures that North Carolina summers can bring.

Wine grape cultivation in the Yadkin Valley is believed to have begun in the 1700s, and historically, the area is associated with sweet muscadine wine. During a nice seafood or barbecue dinner on the coast, you may be offered a glass of muscadine to accompany your meal. However, the wine grape producers in the valley are pushing the envelope on what can be grown in the Yadkin.

The area is now home to an impressive range of classic European varietals that thrive in the valley’s rolling hills. The modern wine grape movement in the Yadkin Valley took off in the 1970s, and you can find cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, vidal blanc, chardonnay, and merlot growing across the valley—these varietals thrive in the (typically) cool mountain microclimate.

“Here in the Piedmont region and at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re focused more on the bitters and different grapes, the bordeaux types that people are used to from California or South America,” JW says. 

Some vineyards are even experimenting with Italian grapes such as sangiovese and montepulciano, lending Old World flavors and accents to the region’s distinctly Southern terroir. 

“Winemakers here are learning how to better work with our unique climate, having tremendous success with French and American hybrids and local grapes,” says Chesney. “This has resulted in more refined, consistent, and expressive wines. That growth in expertise and craftsmanship has been a major driver of the momentum we’re seeing today.” 

The Yadkin Valley Today

Currently, there are 44 wineries in the Yadkin Valley, including the award-winning Childress Vineyards, co-owned by NASCAR legend Richard Childress. There’s also the sprawling Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, often called the “Chianti of the Carolinas.” Set on a hilltop estate crowned by a striking, villa-inspired tasting room, this family-owned winery is known for producing elegant Italian varietals, mainly sangiovese, montepulciano, and vermentino.

However, Jolo Winery & Vineyards and its sister winery, Rayson, have become cornerstones of North Carolina’s wine renaissance and elevated the Yadkin Valley into a destination for serious wine lovers. It was founded in 2010 by husband-and-wife JW and Kristen Ray, who established their winery on a scenic plot of land on Pilot Mountain.

Jolo is a family business, and it derives its name from a blend of the Rays’ sons’ names, Joey and Logan. Both boys are very active in the businesses and work with their dad every day to make and market Jolo’s wines.

While Jolo primarily focuses on blends, Rayson has single varietals. Being able to produce both makes it easier to accommodate wine connoisseurs who may come to the valley looking for a specific type of wine or production style. Jolo has been in business for over a decade, but Ray says he’s still learning new things every day.

“It has taken us some time, to be truthful, to figure out what grape varietals work the best here,” Ray says with a laugh. “Burgundy and Bordeaux, as well as Italy, have had five to six hundred years to figure that out—we’ve had barely 20!”

Despite the learning curve, Jolo and Rayson are charging forward bravely into the wine world. One of Jolo’s most remarkable achievements came when its rosé took Best of Show at the American Fine Wine Competition in 2023, going head-to-head with wines from more established regions. The national recognition has inspired people to travel to the Yadkin Valley to discover one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the country,

And with a growing community of passionate winemakers and wine enthusiasts, the future looks brighter than ever for North Carolina’s wine industry. The Yadkin Valley is just getting started—and the best vintages and stories are still to come.

“When wineries like Jolo are recognized on a national level, it validates the quality of North Carolina wines in the eyes of consumers, sommeliers, and the broader wine industry,” Chesney says. “When one of us shines, we all shine.”