When is the last time you intentionally purchased a bottle of wine made in North Carolina? If the answer is not recently or never, it is your duty as a North Carolinian to buy a bottle this week.

Don't get me wrong. I, too, was hesitant when it came to buying wines made in North Carolina. My opinions changed last year when I took a trip out west (or should I say western Carolina).

Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Wine Course, had asked me to research wineries in the south for his new book, America Wine Guide. As part of the research, my husband, daughter and I took a trip to North Carolina's only American Viticultural Area (AVA), Yadkin Valley.

An AVA is a government-given title to geographic areas that are deemed worthy to grow wine-making grapes because of the soils, climate and location. For instance, Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are two well-known AVAs in the United States. Some states, like Florida, Georgia and Tennessee do not have any AVAs. North Carolina has one, and it is the Yadkin Valley, which encompasses all of Yadkin, Surry and Wilkes counties.

According to the state-supported website, www.ncwine.org, there are currently 14 wineries located in the Yadkin Valley. During our trip, we visited four of them, and we were absolutely stunned by the amazing facilities and the terrific wines made from Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Syrah.

Shelton Vineyards, owned by Charlie & Ed Shelton, is a beautiful vineyard that even hosts a wonderful restaurant where you can eat lunch or dinner. Childress Vineyards, owned by Richard Childress of Nascar fame, is another exquisite property with a restaurant and a banquet facility attached to the winery. On a smaller scale, there is the quaint, super-friendly husband-and-wife team at Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards. We toured the winery with owner Lenna Hobson and winemaker Linda King where we tasted some extraordinary wines while enjoying true southern hospitality. And, of course, you cannot forget the pioneers of vine growing, Westbend Vineyards. Their grapes have been growing in the valley since 1972.

After visiting the Yadkin Valley, I traveled to Boone, North Carolina to talk about North Carolina wines for a symposium highlighting the wine industry in our state. It amazed me to find out how many people are dedicating themselves to the world of winemaking in all areas of North Carolina from Mount Airy to Knotts Island to Tryon.

Old North State Winery in Mount Airy makes a luscious wine from the Muscadine grape that is tangy, tart and delicious. Most of you should know that Muscadine, also known as Scuppernong, is the most widely planted grape in North Carolina. In general, it is often vinified somewhere between slightly and very sweet. It also has a unique grapey flavor that can only be associated with Native American vines. If you are one of those who enjoy this flavor, Muscadine is one of the healthiest grapes to drink because of its extremely high anti-oxidant levels, most notably resveratrol. Resveratrol is a phenolic compound linked to reduction of high cholesterol, heart disease and said to reduce the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

In Knotts Island, located in Currituck County close to the Virginia border, lie Martin Vineyards and Moonrise Bay Vineyard. Making wines from cool grapes like Viognier and Nebbiolo, the wineries also produce dessert wines from strawberries.

Go west to Tryon, near the South Carolina border, and one will find Rockhouse Vineyards as well as other small wineries. Rockhouse Vineyards began growing grapes in 1991, and it produces excellent wines from Chardonnay, Merlot and Chambourcin.

Many people wonder how wine made its comeback in a state that didn't seem like the wine drinking or the winemaking type. The answer is the same in other states like Kentucky, Maryland and Tennessee. Tobacco is out and grapes are in. Farmers are no longer able to make a living growing tobacco like they once were so they are searching for alternative crops. With the wine industry reeking of health benefits and great flavor, why wouldn't one want to get their hands stained with grape juice? Support the economy and drink locally.

For more information on wines in North Carolina, visit www.ncwine.org for locations and directions of wineries near you. As a wine lover, you will be proud of what our state is making when it comes to quality wines.