One of Golden LEAF’s earliest grants was to Surry Community College to begin programs in viticulture and enology, essentials of wine-making. Little did we know that within a few years the region that encompasses Yadkin, Surry, Forsyth, Davie, and Davidson counties would become nationally known as the Yadkin Valley Wine Region with 20 wineries (and growing every year) that employ hundreds, draw thousands of tourists, generate local and state taxes, and produce award-winning wines.

Land previously used to raise tobacco is now producing wine grapes for sale to privately-owned wineries and for the wine cooperative for which Golden LEAF provided the seed money. In 2005, Golden LEAF continued to help the wine industry grow and improve by making grants to market the region and to provide equipment to help owners detect and control diseases and maintain quality.

It’s an impressive transformation, but don’t make the mistake of telling folks in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley that the region is beginning to look like California’s Napa Valley. They will let you know that the Yadkin Valley is well on its way to becoming “better than Napa Valley.”