With its humid, sub-tropical climate and summer temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees, South Carolina is a challenging place to grow grapes and make wine. Still, intrepid souls grow some vinifera, hybrid, and lots of Muscadine grapes which actually thrive in those conditions. Wedged between North Carolina and Georgia with an expansive Atlantic coastline, the Palmetto State is a popular destination of golfers and “snowbirds” from the North during the winter months.
Deep Water Vineyard is the only winery in the Charleston area, located on Wadmalow Island known as “Charleston’s Back Porch”. Created in 2002 by Jim and Ann Irvin, the 48-acre vineyard and winery is a popular destination featuring local oysters, live music, lawn games, and a wide range of libations. Among the popular events is the Cork Shuckin’ Roast in February, also known as the Annual Oyster Roast. Deep Water’s wine selection echoes the state’s maritime location, with names like High Tide, Low Tide, Lowcountry Red, and Sea Island, and they even offer a Mead and Palmetto Pepper wine made with Jalapeno peppers.
Duplin Winery in North Myrtle Beach is TripAdvisor’s #1 winery destination in South Carolina, and is the southern branch of the home winery in neighboring North Carolina, which is one of the country’s largest wineries that also has a Florida presence. Dave Fussell, Duplin’s owner, is on the WineAmerica Board of Directors, and we appreciate his involvement.
Great Grapes: Scuppernong
Wild versions of his native american grape variety were used by French immigrants as early as the mid-16th century, but Scuppernong has been seriously cultivated since the early 1800’s. The attractive bronze-skinned grape is resistant to Pierce’s Disease, and produces sweet white wines with a musky, grapey flavor.