State Investment in Local Wine Industry Makes a Difference

Wine Industry Investment North Carolina vs. Virginia

Oklahoma isn't the only state struggling to develop a local wine tourism economy. North Carolina vintners hope that viticulture may provide a desperately needed replacement for agricultural revenues that used to come from growing tobacco.

North Carolina considers themselves to be 12th in U.S. wine production with about 1,500 acres planted with vines. The total value of wine produced in the 41 wineries across the state was $30 million in 2003. Grapes grown in 2003 brought in $3,314 per acre, more than double the 1998 value, according to the state grape council.

Virginia invests $500,000 annually in its local wine industry. It also permits the wineries to display their products in state-run liquor stores, as well as providing free roadside signs to help tourists find the wineries. As a result, Virginia has 90 wineries, more than twice as many as North Carolina, and their wine production is valued at $95 million. Through winery tours and tastings, wine country packages and promotions, the Virginia wine industry now attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually.

North Carolina invests $350,000 annually on wineries, and the businesses must pay the state Department of Transportation to erect roadside signs. In fact, one local winery owner reported paying the N.C. Department Of Transportation around $40,000 to erect their signs!

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