Can Table Grapes Be Grown in the High Country in Addition to Wine Grapes?
Story by Sam Calhoun Roughly two months ago, High Country Press interviewed Dr. Lucien Wilkins, a Cove Creek resident who planted 900 grapevines on his property. Wilkins planted his grapes for wine production, planning to sell his bounty to Dr. Richard Wolfe, co-owner of the Banner Elk Winery, when it comes to fruition in three years. While planting his grapes, Wilkins said, “This is a great opportunity for the High Country to rejuvenate itself. I feel that the future of the High Country depends on revitalizing agriculture up here. This is the future of sustainable agriculture in the region.” Since the first vineyard was planted in the High Country five years ago, 30 acres of vineyards have sprouted up as more and more people get into what could be the High Country’s new agriculture. Mix that with the projection that the North Carolina wine industry’s economic impact will soon be in excess of $1 billion. While looking at the recent surge in grape growing in the High Country and North C
