Sun, Sand, and Shiraz: Your Guide to Wine in the Outer Banks

Think of the Outer Banks, and more than likely the beach, the legendary wild mustangs that roam the shore, and tasty Chesapeake crabs come to mind. Rarely, if ever, you might think of wine, unless you're contemplating buying a bottle or two for a late night lounge on the deck of your vacation cottage. Be sure to check the label as you let the aromatic Merlot or Shiraz breathe. That vintage just may have been bottled closer to the shore than you realize.

Indeed, the Outer Banks is ripe with wine, being home to a number of vineyards stretching from the northernmost tip that kisses Virginia, down to the historic shores of Manteo, where wine had been made as far back as the Colonial area. Wine enthusiasts with little knowledge of the growing process will be surprised to learn how well grapes grows in the sandy soil along the Mid-Atlantic coast, in particular the sweet MuscThink of the Outer Banks, and more than likely the beach, the legendary wild mustangs that roam the shore, and tasty Chesapeake crabs come to mind. Rarely, if ever, you might think of wine, unless you're contemplating buying a bottle or two for a late night lounge on the deck of your vacation cottage. Be sure to check the label as you let the aromatic Merlot or Shiraz breathe. That vintage just may have been bottled closer to the shore than you realize.

Indeed, the Outer Banks is ripe with wine, being home to a number of vineyards stretching from the northernmost tip that kisses Virginia, down to the historic shores of Manteo, where wine had been made as far back as the Colonial area. Wine enthusiasts with little knowledge of the growing process will be surprised to learn how well grapes grows in the sandy soil along the Mid-Atlantic coast, in particular the sweet Muscadine grapes for which the state is especially renowned. So, if you have ever considered driving �€Å"Sideways�€� through North Carolina, a few stops through the Outer Banks are necessary.