The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has approved the Tryon Foothills American Viticulture Area (AVA), marking North Carolina’s seventh AVA and the first to be entirely located in Polk County. This new designation covers about 176 square miles and includes over 77 acres of winegrapes, reflecting growth in the region’s wine industry over the past three decades.
Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler commented on the development, stating, “The designation of the Tryon Foothills AVA is a proud moment for North Carolina agriculture and a testament to the hard work of our growers and winemakers in this region. Our state’s wine industry continues to grow in both quality and prominence. The official recognition of the region highlights the unique character of our foothills and the value of preserving agricultural land for generations to come.”
Joseph Forrest from Resource Geoservices LLC played a key role in defining the boundaries and characteristics of the AVA. The area sits on the western edge of North Carolina’s Inner Piedmont, where rolling hills meet the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Its elevation ranges from 712 to 1,656 feet, lying between valley floors and mountain peaks.
The climate is classified as “Hot” under the Winegrape Climate/Maturity Grouping system, with average growing season temperatures between 67°F and 72°F. This makes it suitable for certain vinifera grapes and Rhône-style varietals. The natural “thermal belt” effect helps extend growing seasons by allowing warmer air to settle on hillsides at night, reducing frost risk. Soil composition and drainage patterns also contribute to grape quality.
Nicole Chesney, NCDA&CS marketing specialist and executive director of the N.C. Wine and Grape Council, explained what this means for producers: “For winemakers and growers inside the newly established AVA, this means they may now label their wines as ‘Tryon Foothills’ as long as at least 85% of the grapes are grown within the AVA. It gives them a defined brand and provenance that aligns with the quality of wines that are being made in the foothills.”
Consumers will now be able to identify wines from this specific region by looking for ‘Tryon Foothills’ on labels.
The Tryon Foothills AVA is fully contained within Polk County without overlapping any other AVAs. It encompasses four commercial wineries—Mountain Brooks Vineyard (Tryon), Over Mountain Vineyards (Tryon), Parker Binns Vineyard (Mill Spring), Russian Chapel Hills Winery (Columbus)—and twelve vineyards cultivating fourteen grape varieties across nearly 78 acres.
Cory Lillberg from Parker Binns Vineyard described how long local industry professionals have worked toward this goal: “The establishment of this AVA has been a goal for the industry professionals of Polk County for the better part of two decades. It represents the culmination of years of hard work and dedication to producing world-class, award-winning wines in a place with viticulture history dating back to the late 1800s.”
The Tryon Foothills AVA Committee—formed by local growers, wineries, and stakeholders—led efforts both in petitioning for recognition and planning ongoing promotion.
According to information from the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council, there are more than 200 wineries across North Carolina, placing it among America’s top ten wine-producing states.
