North Carolina wines, ciders and meads earn top honors in 2026 state competition
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s wine, cider and mead producers are raising the bar for locally crafted beverages, with producers from across the state earning top honors in the 2026 N.C. Wine Competition.
Four N.C. Wine Cups were awarded this year, recognizing the highest-scoring entries in the Muscadine, Vinifera, Cider and Mead divisions. Hinnant Family Vineyards of Pine Level earned the Muscadine Cup for its 2025 Scuppernong, Sanctuary Vineyards of Jarvisburg earned the Vinifera Cup for its 2025 Wildflowers Rosé and Honeygirl Meadery of Durham earned the Mead Cup for its Strawberry Guava Mead. The Cider Cup resulted in a tie between Noble Cider of Asheville for Porter’s Perfection and Mill Camp Wines & Ciders of Boone for Pommeau.
“These winners represent the tremendous quality, diversity and creativity we are seeing in North Carolina’s wine, cider and mead industries,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “From muscadine grapes grown in Eastern North Carolina to vinifera grapes, apples and honey produced across our state, these products create opportunities for farmers, support local businesses and give visitors another reason to experience North Carolina agriculture firsthand. When consumers choose North Carolina wine, cider and mead, they are supporting an agricultural industry that reaches far beyond the tasting room.”
North Carolina has more than 200 wineries and vineyards and ranks among the top 10 wine-producing states in the country. The industry also plays an important role in agritourism, drawing visitors to vineyards, wineries, cideries and meaderies across the state and creating additional economic opportunities in rural communities.
The competition highlights the breadth of North Carolina’s craft beverage industry, ranging from the state’s native muscadine grapes to European vinifera varieties, sparkling wines, barrel-aged meads and ciders made in a variety of traditional and modern styles.
“The 2026 competition shows just how much innovation is happening across North Carolina while our producers continue to celebrate what makes this state distinctive,” said Nicole Chesney, executive director of the N.C. Wine & Grape Council. “These wines, ciders and meads tell a North Carolina story through the fruit, honey, people and places behind every bottle. Recognition at this level helps introduce consumers to exceptional products while strengthening the reputation of North Carolina as a serious wine and craft beverage destination.”
The N.C. Wine Competition is the state’s premier competition for commercially produced wine, cider and mead. Entries are judged blind, with judges evaluating products on appearance, aroma, taste, finish and overall impression using the American Wine Society 20-point scale. Wines eligible for an N.C. Wine Cup must be made with a minimum of 75% North Carolina fruit or honey.
The N.C. Wine & Grape Council works to promote the growth of North Carolina’s wine, cider and mead industries through marketing, education and support for quality-driven producers. North Carolina’s diverse growing regions create an industry that connects agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism. For more information about North Carolina wine and the N.C. Wine Competition, visit NCWine.org.
2026 N.C. Wine Cup winners
Muscadine Cup
Hinnant Family Vineyards, Pine Level — Scuppernong 2025
Vinifera Cup
Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg — Wildflowers Rosé 2025
Cider Cup — Tie
Noble Cider, Asheville — Porter’s Perfection
Mill Camp Wines & Ciders, Boone — Pommeau
Mead Cup
Honeygirl Meadery, Durham — Strawberry Guava Mead
Best of Category winners
Muscadine
Best Muscadine Sparkling, Dry — Erik Martella Wines, Hamptonville — Noble 2024
Best Muscadine Sparkling, Sweet — Childress Vineyards, Lexington — Muscadine Burst NV
Best Muscadine Single Red Varietal, Sweet — Lu Mil Vineyard, Elizabethtown — Sir Walter Raleigh NV
Best Muscadine Single Red Varietal, Dry — Hinnant Family Vineyards, Pine Level — Noble 2024
Best Muscadine Red Blend, Sweet — Duplin Winery, Rose Hill — Pelican Red NV
Best Muscadine Single White Varietal, Sweet — Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard, Hurdle Mills — Triple Springs NV
Best Muscadine Single White Varietal, Dry/Off-Dry — Cypress Bend Vineyards, Wagram — Riverton Estate NV
Best Muscadine White Blend, Sweet — Hinnant Family Vineyards, Pine Level — Moondance Magnolia 2025
Best Muscadine White Blend, Dry/Off-Dry — Duplin Winery, Rose Hill — Summertime Strut NV
Best Muscadine Rosé, Dry/Off-Dry — Cypress Bend Vineyards, Wagram — Roseneath NV
Best Muscadine Dessert, Non-Fortified — Duplin Winery, Rose Hill — Cotton Candy NV
Best Muscadine Dessert, Fortified — Duplin Winery, Rose Hill — American Port NV
Vinifera
Best Dessert Wine — Shadow Springs Vineyard, Hamptonville — Mistelle de Petit Manseng 2024
Best Sparkling Wine — Biltmore Estate, Asheville — Chateau Reserve N.C. Brut Red 2022
Best Orange Wine — Sanctuary Vineyards, Jarvisburg — Handcrafted Orange Albariño 2025
Best Rosé Blend — Biltmore Estate, Asheville — Biltmore Reserve 2024
Best Single White Varietal — Stony Knoll Vineyards, Dobson — Harvest Delight NV
Best White Blend — JOLO Winery & Vineyards, Pilot Mountain — Golden Hallows 2025
Best Single Red Varietal — Point Lookout Vineyards, Hendersonville — Petit Verdot 2023
Best Red Blend — Curran Alexander Vineyards, Lexington — Meritage 2022
Cider
Best High-Tannin Cider — Noble Cider, Asheville — Porter’s Perfection, Lewis Creek Orchard Reserve
Best Pet-Nat Cider — Botanist & Barrel, Cedar Grove — Foragers Delight Pet Nat NV
Best Specialty Cider — Mill Camp Wines & Ciders, Boone — Pommeau
Best Modern Apple Cider, Sweet — Mill Camp Wines & Ciders, Boone — High Country Apple NV
Best Modern Apple Cider, Dry — Noble Cider, Asheville — Harrison, Lewis Creek Orchard Reserve
Best Fruited Cider, Sweet — Flat Rock Cider Company, Flat Rock — Blue Ridge Blue NV
Best Fruited Cider, Dry — Noble Cider, Asheville — Apricot & Black Tea
Mead
Best Fruit & Spiced Mead — Stardust Cellars, North Wilkesboro — Honey Buzzed NV
Best Melomel, Dry (Fruit Mead) — Botanist & Barrel, Cedar Grove — Queen Bee NV
Best Metheglin, Sweet (Herb & Spice) — Stardust Cellars, North Wilkesboro — Chad’s Chai
Best Barrel-Aged Mead, Dry — Stardust Cellars, North Wilkesboro — BBA NV
Best Barrel-Aged Mead, Sweet — Honeygirl Meadery, Durham — Barrel Aged Wildflower 2026
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