NC vineyards and wineries are an important component of the state's tourism industry. North Carolina ranks 13th nationally for total grape production, and 14th for total wine production. Muscadine grapes, often called scuppernongs, are native to Eastern North Carolina. They have seeds and thick skins and taste delicious fresh from the vine. Scuppernong is a bronze variety of muscadine grapes and was the first muscadine grape discovered and cultivated in America.
Bunch grapes grow in clusters in Western North Carolina.
These include varieties like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Breeding work at NC State University developed better commercial varieties of muscadines during the 20th century. Muscadine grapes, often called scuppernongs, are native to Eastern North Carolina. They have seeds and thick skins and taste delicious fresh from the vine. Look for them in your grocery stores and farmers markets now, during the month of September.