North Carolina's wine industry is in the midst of tremendous growth, and this will create opportunities for farmers interested in grape production. It is a win-win situation for agriculture in this state, boosting agritourism, creating job opportunities from the vineyard to the retail level, and offering farmers the opportunity to further diversify production.

At a time when wine was barely sinking into the American consumer subconscious … suddenly here's an alcoholic beverage rich in antioxidants and linked to cardiovascular benefit. At Duplin, it's neatly packaged in a sweet red wine sold amongst people already swimming in sweet coffee, sweeter tea and sweetest deserts. Even in the Bible Belt, this is lightening in a bottle.

Duplin's fate is changing overnight. Wine is selling out. Production is growing. More farmers are throwing in on a handshake. And as Duplin wine sales begin creeping across North Carolina, there is developing a parallel track. There are the first real rumblings among the popular press about vinifera grapes.