August 17, 2026 (Raleigh, NC) — 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
