Highest Vineyard in the USTBD Shawneehaw Banner Elk, North Carolina 28604 United States

About This Property

Highest vineyard in Eastern United States at 4800 feet in Banner Elk, North Carolina. This three acre lot, in a restricted sub-division on Watuaga County side of Beech Mountain., offers an established vineyard as well as an outstanding home site. Incredible long views of distance mountains as far away as Mount Rogers in Virginia and Tennessee mountains in Tri-Cities makes this property exceptional in location alone. It takes your breath away to watch a full moon rising over the mountains. Sun rises over the lower mountains are also exceptional. The only neighbor owns a multi million home with a vineyard on four acres. One and a half acres were planted in spring of 2008 in French hybrid vines of Seyval Blanc vines by present owner Dr. Richard Wolfe. Viticulture professors from Appalachian State University assisted with the planting since this vineyard set the bar as the highest one in Eastern United States. This vineyard faces south which is ideal for vine growth in a cold climate. Dr. Wolfe pioneered the grape growing industry and wine making in Avery and Watauga Counties of Western North Carolina. From an article in The Watauga Democrat; In 2001, Dr. Wolfe approached Appalachian State University's chancellor at that time to discuss the possibility of establishing a center of applied science as well as offering the opportunity to teach farmers how to grow and harvest grapes instead of tobacco. Wolfe became the director of the university's applied science and research program, but has since retired. He did, however, make good on his word. To compare climates and grapes, Wolfe journeyed to France to tour vineyards in Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhone. "This region is very close, as far as temperature goes and budding grapes, to that in France, particularly the Rhone and Burgundy regions," Wolfe said. According to Winemaker Magazine, the Seyval Blanc (Seyve-Villard 5276), a cold-climate white grape variety, is the leading choice for many winemakers who live in the chilly eastern and northern regions of North America. This hardy varietal produces abundant crops in cold climates and offers the winemaker an opportunity to make a variety of wines from one grape. Seyval Blanc can be made in a fruity, crisp style for early drinking, or in a more austere style, like many Chardonnays. The variety also lends itself well to making dessert wines and sparkling wines. And, perhaps the best asset of all, Seyval Blanc is an outstanding blending wine that enhances whatever variety with which it is matched. The Seyval Blanc prefers cooler climates, reasonable moisture and warm days during the growing cycle. Seyval can and does withstand harsh, cold winters and short growing seasons, making it an ideal variety for northern and eastern U.S. regions and Canada. The vineyard was planted to allow proper positioning for a house which is approved by the Watauga County authorities for an up to six bedroom dwelling. A well 250 feet deep with about 10 gallons per minute flow is in place. Septic and perk tests have been completed and approved. The vineyard production is four to five tons of grapes per season for the next 15 years which could be contracted for sale to nearby award winning Banner Elk Winery. This vineyard also provides the opportunity to produce Ice Wine if freezes come in late October. Ice Wine is a type of dessert wine produced from grapes that have frozen while still on the vine. The sugars do not freeze, but the water does, allowing a more concentrated grape must be pressed from the frozen grapes resulting in a smaller amount of more concentrated, very sweet wine. Due to the labor-intense and risky production process resulting in relatively small amounts of wine, ice wines are generally expensive.