RALEIGH – A syrah made in Mocksville and a muscadine from Willow Spring took top honors in the 2015 N.C. State Fair Wine Competition hosted by the N.C. Wine and Grape Council.
Misty Creek Farm and Vineyards in Mocksville won Best of Show and the N.C. Winegrowers Cup for its Syrah. The vineyard, located in the heart of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area, has been growing grapes since 2001.
Ellis, a muscadine wine from Adams Vineyards in Willow Spring, won the N.C. Muscadine Cup.
“We saw significant growth in the number of entries from commercial entries this year, and had a total of 414 entries from commercial and amateur winemakers,” said Whit Winslow, executive director of the N.C. Wine and Grape Council. “That’s a testament to the continued strength of North Carolina’s $1.7-billion wine and grape industry.”
In addition to the two cups, best-of-category awards were presented to the following commercial wineries:
— Best Sparkling: Biltmore Wine Co., Biltmore Estate Chateau Reserve Sparkling Blanc de Blancs
— Best White: Cypress Bend Vineyards, Catherine
— Best Rose: Childress Vineyards, Classic Blush
— Best Red: Misty Creek Farms and Vineyards, Syrah
— Best Fruit, Honey, Dessert, Other: Linville Falls Winery, Linville Falls Blueberry
In the amateur competition, Robert Monscko of Cary won Best of Show for his Bobcin Bordeaux. Ribbons and prize money also were awarded to the top three wines in each amateur category.
Winners from the wine competition will be on display in the Education Building throughout the fair, which takes place Oct. 15-25. North Carolina wine also will be available for sample and purchase at the Got to Be NC Wine and Craft Beer exhibit in the Hunt Horse Arena outside Gate 8.
North Carolina is home to nearly 160 wineries and 525 commercial grape growers. The state is ranked 11th nationally in wine production. More information about North Carolina wineries is available at www.ncwine.org.