The Time is Ripe for Wine Travel in North Carolina

Celebrate “Wine and Grape Appreciation Month” this October.

Raleigh, N.C. (Vocus) Sept. 25, 2007-- The harvest season brings countless opportunities for wine enthusiasts to explore the more than 65 wineries in North Carolina. Visitors can tour and taste at the many up and coming destinations that have put North Carolina on top of the wine-making map.

VisitNC.com makes it easier than ever to plan a perfect North Carolina wine getaway with the new Savor NC Wine page (http://www.visitnc.com/what_to_do_wine.asp?s=fw). Find interactive maps, downloadable brochures, event listings, wine pairing tips and itineraries to help with trip planning or call the Wine Hotline, 1-877-3NCWINE (877-362-9463). Visitors can also sign up for a wine newsletter featuring the latest news and subscribe to the new RSS feeds (http://www.visitnc.com/rss/) offering travel news, upcoming events and news for the press.

“We are welcoming wine lovers to fall in love with the diversity of North Carolina’s award-winning wines,” said Margo Knight Metzger, Executive Director of the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council. “North Carolina offers great wine trails, intimate tasting rooms and fun festivals—all in breathtakingly picturesque settings.”

According to a national survey sponsored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) in partnership with Gourmet magazine and the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), North Carolina is one of the top five state destinations for wine and culinary tourism (http://www.visitnc.com/press_article.asp?ArticleID=987).

Upcoming Wine Events

Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Music Festival, Oct. 6

Charlotte, NC - uncorkthefun.com

Taste Carolina Wine Festival, Oct. 7

Colfax, NC - tastecarolina.com

5th Outer Banks International Wine Festival, Oct. 13

Point Harbor, NC - nativevine.com

Yadkin Valley Grape Festival, October 20

Yadkinville, NC - yvgf.com

Natural scenic beauty, adventure and relaxation, a dining experience for every taste, rich history and warm Southern hospitality come together in North Carolina. Call 1-800-VISIT NC or go to VisitNC.com to plan your next getaway.

Contact:

Jennifer Frings, (704) 364-8969, jfrings(@)lkmideas.com

Susan Dosier, (704) 364-8969, sdosier(@)lkmideas.com

Wit Tuttell, (919) 733-7420, wit(@)visitnc.com, media(@)visitnc.com

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