403:
storms and limit excessive rainfall in the growing season. The average annual rainfall in the viticultural area is 39.5 inches (1,003.3 mm) as contrasted with 44.0 inches (1,117.6 mm) and more in the western mountains. Air and soil drainage on the slopes are good. Westerly breezes that flow though the valley provide a refreshing influence in the growing season and also help to dry the canopy in the summer, reducing the risk of fungal vine diseases. Morning fog in the summer helps to moderate the effects of warm sunshine as well, resulting in a balance of phenols and acidity in the finished wines. Despite variations in elevation, the growing season in the North Fork is relatively constant averaging 170 days with a heat summation of about 2800
38:
713:
770:
596:
496:
426:
Riesling, Chardonnay, and
Viognier are noted to have a 'bright acidity, intense aromatics, and a refreshing minerality.' Several wineries are experimenting with hybrid grapes like Vidal Blanc and Traminette, producing uniqueness that showcase the region's versatility. North Fork of Roanoke is also home to a handful of winemakers dedicated to producing handcrafted, high-quality wines.
318:, is taken from the river which runs through the viticultural area. The petitioners submitted evidence to show the name has its origin back to the early settlers and that the name North Fork of Roanoke is established today as a recreation area. The petitioner and other commenters requested the name be shortened to
407:
between the 28 °F (−2 °C) Spring and Fall frosts. Winters are mild with temperatures below −5 °F (−21 °C) occurring only every 12 to 15 years with a 150 year record low of −16 °F (−27 °C) in 1977. Summer highs rarely exceed 90 °F (32 °C) and the pattern of warm
425:
North Fork of
Roanoke wines gained recognition for their distinctive flavor and complexity from fruit grown in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The viticultural area's terroir and dedication of its vintners paved a path for exciting developments in Virginia wine. White grape varieties like
416:
The viticultural productive slopes are principally made up of
Frederick and Poplimento soils with limestone characteristics of the southeast facing slopes and limestone/sandstone layers characteristic of the north facing slopes In the hillside vineyards, excellent drainage negates the effects of the
381:
The valley floor of the North Fork begins in
Roanoke County at an elevation of 1,800 feet (550 m). As the river flows through Montgomery County it descends 600 feet (180 m) before reentering Roanoke County to form the main body of the Roanoke River. Both the Pearis and Fort Lewis Mountains
347:
on the North Fork throughout the 1920's right up to present times. Numerous crosses were made and five varieties released from 1949 through 1969. Today, Virginia Tech operates its experimental vineyard in the Valley of the North Fork, including varietals trials of advanced breeding lines from other
326:
from the local frontier. In 1760, proposals were made to the
General Assembly for the encouragement of this useful undertaking. An Act was passed to "stimulate the cultivation of the vineyard proposing that £500 be given as a premium to any persons producing the best wine in a quantity no less than
402:
The micro climate for grape production in the viticultural area is excellent due largely to the protection the valley derives from its location between two high ranging, parallel and northwest facing mountain ridges. The mountains protect the valley and its southeast facing slopes from destructive
294:. The approximately 1,200 acres (1.9 sq mi) area is named for its position on the North Fork river, before it converges with the South Fork to form the Roanoke River. Many of North Fork's 49 acres (20 ha) of vineyards are located on the Allegheny slopes which are part of the larger
360:
The viticultural area is well defined geographically because the North Fork of the
Roanoke River flows southwesterly half for its length, then reverses its direction around Pearis Mountain and flows northeasterly an additional 10 miles (16 km) to form the main body of the Roanoke River. The
382:
overlook the North Fork which has elevations of 3,100 feet (940 m). The significant result, viticulturally, is an uneven frost-free area between 1,700 to 2,200 feet (520 to 670 m) elevations on the southeast facing slopes of the
339:. Grape production increased in the locale until 1925 at which time there was a major reduction in vine and wine production throughout Virginia. However, grape hybridization and experimentation continued at
677:
344:
526:
302:. The North Fork AVA weather is characterized by cool, foggy summer mornings and prevailing westerly winds. Karl and Myra Hereford of MJC Vineyard in
835:
387:
336:
840:
327:
10 hogshead." Wine production was nationally acknowledged as early in the 1840 national census. By 1889, the area's principal wine grapes were
103:
754:
850:
588:
811:
485:
283:
417:
moderate rainfall. The granitic soils in the area are typical of their mountainous origins and are made up of gravel and loam.
830:
580:
115:
747:
28:
518:
614:
804:
267:
855:
489:
468:
383:
362:
279:
255:
48:
306:, petitioned the ATF in October 1981 to establish the viticulture area named "North Fork of Roanoke.”
740:
290:
with surrounding hillsides where vineyards reside between 1,200 to 2,200 feet (366–671 m)
785:
728:
616:
Kegley's
Virginia Frontier. the Beginning of the Southwest, the Roanoke of Colonial Days, 1740-1783
373:
where cooler temperatures and diurnal shifts contribute to the grapes acidity and complex flavors.
271:
263:
860:
132:
845:
797:
111:
303:
295:
8:
366:
348:
states. Other vineyards are emerging on the North Fork, with wine producing cultivars of
259:
404:
196:
620:
275:
188:
551:
476:
370:
361:
viticultural area is bounded on the west by the
Alleghany Mountain ridges of the
328:
291:
286:
on May 16, 1983. The North Fork valley stretches 22 miles (35 km) along the
365:, on the south by the Pedler Hills, and on the north and east by the Pearis and
37:
781:
724:
391:
332:
323:
299:
208:
192:
107:
99:
95:
824:
692:
679:
600:
500:
340:
287:
122:
90:
82:
720:
228:
638:
624:
224:
216:
200:
322:. Indigenous tribes and early European settlers harvested the native
712:
777:
769:
232:
212:
578:
599:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
499:
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
369:. Vineyards range from 1,200 to 2,200 feet (370–670 m)
204:
664:
659:
220:
153:
Frederick and
Poplimento soils with limestone characteristics
669:
579:
Hereford, Karl T.; Hereford, Myra C. (October 14, 1981).
408:
days and cool nights is conducive to wine grape quality.
612:
581:"North Fork of Roanoke Viticultural District Petition"
513:
511:
509:
463:
461:
459:
457:
455:
453:
451:
449:
447:
445:
443:
441:
439:
352:and European hybrids replacing American varieties.
574:
572:
519:"North Fork of Roanoke (AVA): Appellation Profile"
506:
822:
631:
546:
544:
436:
569:
386:and lower fringe of the north facing slopes of
589:Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
278:. The appellation area was established by the
104:Northern Neck George Washington Birthplace AVA
805:
748:
541:
486:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
284:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
606:
812:
798:
755:
741:
36:
619:. Southwest Virginia Historical Society.
469:"North Fork of Roanoke Viticultural Area"
836:Geography of Montgomery County, Virginia
643:United States Department of Agriculture
823:
529:from the original on September 5, 2013
394:is 7a or 6b depending upon elevation.
16:American Viticultural Area in Virginia
841:Geography of Roanoke County, Virginia
258:located on the eastern slopes of the
764:
707:
13:
14:
872:
653:
613:Kegley, Frederick Bittle (1938).
161:1,200 acres (1.9 sq mi)
768:
711:
594:
494:
256:American Viticultural Area (AVA)
851:1983 establishments in Virginia
639:"USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map"
492:: 16248–16250. April 15, 1983.
420:
239:
174:
142:Precipitation (annual average)
1:
429:
376:
145:39.5 inches (1,003.3 mm)
784:. You can help Knowledge by
727:. You can help Knowledge by
116:Virginia's Eastern Shore AVA
7:
831:American Viticultural Areas
693:37.31385070°N 80.27942846°W
552:"North Fork of Roanoke AVA"
10:
877:
763:
706:
397:
384:Eastern Continental Divide
363:Eastern Continental Divide
355:
309:
298:that stretches south into
49:American Viticultural Area
698:37.31385070; -80.27942846
584:(27 CFR, Part 4 Proposal)
316:North Fork of the Roanoke
296:Blue Ridge mountain range
274:just west of the city of
238:
184:
173:
166:Size of planted vineyards
165:
157:
149:
141:
131:
121:
88:
78:
70:
62:
54:
44:
35:
26:
472:(27 CFR 9 Final Rule)
411:
780:-related article is a
314:The name of the area,
63:Years of wine industry
320:North Fork of Roanoke
252:North Fork of Roanoke
169:49 acres (20 ha)
112:Shenandoah Valley AVA
22:North Fork of Roanoke
367:Fort Lewis Mountains
304:Blacksburg, Virginia
689: /
523:Appellation America
260:Allegheny Mountains
23:
665:Valhalla Vineyards
345:horticultural farm
197:Cabernet Sauvignon
21:
856:Wine region stubs
793:
792:
736:
735:
405:degree days (GDD)
249:
248:
189:Alicante Bouschet
89:Other regions in
868:
814:
807:
800:
772:
765:
757:
750:
743:
715:
708:
704:
703:
701:
700:
699:
694:
690:
687:
686:
685:
682:
647:
646:
635:
629:
628:
610:
604:
598:
597:
593:
585:
576:
567:
566:
564:
562:
548:
539:
538:
536:
534:
515:
504:
498:
497:
493:
477:Federal Register
473:
465:
241:
176:
55:Year established
40:
24:
20:
876:
875:
871:
870:
869:
867:
866:
865:
821:
820:
819:
818:
762:
761:
697:
695:
691:
688:
683:
680:
678:
676:
675:
660:Beliveau Winery
656:
651:
650:
637:
636:
632:
611:
607:
595:
592:. MJC Vineyard.
583:
577:
570:
560:
558:
550:
549:
542:
532:
530:
517:
516:
507:
495:
471:
467:
466:
437:
432:
423:
414:
400:
388:Pearis Mountain
379:
371:above sea level
358:
333:Virginia Norton
312:
292:above sea level
185:Grapes produced
150:Soil conditions
17:
12:
11:
5:
874:
864:
863:
861:Virginia stubs
858:
853:
848:
843:
838:
833:
817:
816:
809:
802:
794:
791:
790:
773:
760:
759:
752:
745:
737:
734:
733:
716:
673:
672:
667:
662:
655:
654:External links
652:
649:
648:
630:
605:
568:
556:VA Wine Lovers
540:
505:
434:
433:
431:
428:
422:
419:
413:
410:
399:
396:
392:hardiness zone
378:
375:
357:
354:
350:vitis vinifera
311:
308:
300:North Carolina
247:
246:
243:
236:
235:
193:Cabernet Franc
186:
182:
181:
178:
171:
170:
167:
163:
162:
159:
155:
154:
151:
147:
146:
143:
139:
138:
135:
129:
128:
125:
123:Climate region
119:
118:
108:Rocky Knob AVA
100:Monticello AVA
96:Middleburg AVA
93:
86:
85:
80:
76:
75:
72:
68:
67:
64:
60:
59:
56:
52:
51:
46:
42:
41:
33:
32:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
873:
862:
859:
857:
854:
852:
849:
847:
846:Virginia wine
844:
842:
839:
837:
834:
832:
829:
828:
826:
815:
810:
808:
803:
801:
796:
795:
789:
787:
783:
779:
774:
771:
767:
766:
758:
753:
751:
746:
744:
739:
738:
732:
730:
726:
723:article is a
722:
717:
714:
710:
709:
705:
702:
671:
668:
666:
663:
661:
658:
657:
644:
640:
634:
626:
622:
618:
617:
609:
602:
601:public domain
591:
590:
582:
575:
573:
561:September 22,
557:
553:
547:
545:
528:
524:
520:
514:
512:
510:
502:
501:public domain
491:
487:
483:
479:
478:
470:
464:
462:
460:
458:
456:
454:
452:
450:
448:
446:
444:
442:
440:
435:
427:
418:
409:
406:
395:
393:
389:
385:
374:
372:
368:
364:
353:
351:
346:
342:
341:Virginia Tech
338:
334:
330:
325:
321:
317:
307:
305:
301:
297:
293:
289:
288:Roanoke River
285:
281:
277:
273:
269:
265:
261:
257:
253:
244:
237:
234:
230:
226:
222:
218:
214:
210:
206:
202:
198:
194:
190:
187:
183:
179:
172:
168:
164:
160:
156:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
134:
130:
126:
124:
120:
117:
113:
109:
105:
101:
97:
94:
92:
87:
84:
81:
77:
74:United States
73:
69:
65:
61:
57:
53:
50:
47:
43:
39:
34:
31:
30:
25:
19:
786:expanding it
775:
729:expanding it
718:
674:
642:
633:
615:
608:
587:
559:. Retrieved
555:
531:. Retrieved
522:
481:
475:
424:
415:
401:
380:
359:
349:
319:
315:
313:
270:counties of
251:
250:
177:of vineyards
27:
18:
721:wine region
696: /
670:TTB AVA Map
533:January 28,
421:Viticulture
242:of wineries
229:Vidal Blanc
29:Wine region
825:Categories
684:80°16′46″W
681:37°18′50″N
625:B0006AO118
430:References
377:Topography
324:fox grapes
280:Treasury's
268:Montgomery
225:Traminette
217:Sangiovese
201:Chardonnay
158:Total area
133:Heat units
127:Region II
778:Virginia
527:Archived
525:. 2007.
490:Treasury
272:Virginia
233:Viognier
213:Riesling
137:2800 GDD
91:Virginia
83:Virginia
645:. 2012.
398:Climate
356:Terroir
329:Concord
310:History
276:Roanoke
264:Roanoke
262:in the
79:Part of
71:Country
623:
484:(74).
390:. The
337:Martha
254:is an
209:Norton
205:Merlot
776:This
719:This
221:Syrah
782:stub
725:stub
621:ASIN
563:2024
535:2008
412:Soil
335:and
266:and
58:1983
45:Type
343:'s
240:No.
175:No.
66:264
827::
641:.
586:.
571:^
554:.
543:^
521:.
508:^
488:,
482:48
480:.
474:.
438:^
331:,
282:,
231:,
227:,
223:,
219:,
215:,
211:,
207:,
203:,
199:,
195:,
191:,
114:,
110:,
106:,
102:,
98:,
813:e
806:t
799:v
788:.
756:e
749:t
742:v
731:.
627:.
603:.
565:.
537:.
503:.
245:2
180:5
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
