RayLen in "Our State"
As the first vines began to grow in the Yadkin Valley, few people believed European wine grapes would make it in the clay loam of the foothills and Piedmont. A few pioneers took a chance, however, and a region’s farming heritage lives on......In 2003, only 4 wineries made up the Yadkin Valley. In less than ten years, the original NC AVA now has over 20 wineries and the state winery totals continue to climb. Steve Shepard, a pioneer of the Yadkin Valley, continues to make wine in the area.