Morganton - Local wineries and vineyard owners are toasting the month of September.

N.C. Gov. Mike Easley proclaimed the month wine and grape appreciation month recognizing the important role the wine industry plays in North Carolina agriculture.
Owners of Lake James Cellars Mike and Betty Fowler invited local vintners Ed Yoder, owner of Raintree Cellars in Icard, and Co-Owner Dennis Powell, of Waldensian Heritage Wines, to celebrate Gov. Easley's recent proclamation.

According to the proclamation, North Carolina ranks 10th in grape and wine production with 72 wineries and 400 commercial grape growers. The industry has an estimated economic impact of $813 million and produces nearly 5,700 new jobs for this industry.

"It is good to see we are finally getting the due recognition from the state and the governor. All the wineries that open in North Carolina are great for the economy and tourism," Powell said. "It further promotes wine and grape production in North Carolina."

Yoder, who just opened his winery last year, said, "People come on the weekends hunting wineries."

When they arrive in Burke they can spend the day or weekend visiting four different wineries, including South Creek Vineyard, just across the county line in Nebo. The owners of South Creek were unable to attend the celebration due to harvesting fruit.

Betty Fowler said, "We all work together." Each winery networks with other wineries within the state or county as visitors search out N.C. wines."

Fowler, who also operates the Old Mill Antiques, agreed that travelers boost tourism locally and shop other venues while they're here.

In a 2007 survey, North Carolina was ranked in the top five states of the United States as a wine and culinary destination. This national survey was sponsored by the Travel Industry Association in partnership with Gourmet magazine and the International Culinary Tourism Association.

State wineries were noted for bringing more than 800,000 visitors to the state as reported during a study conducted in 2005,"Economic Impact of North Carolina Wine." In addition the vital role that wineries and vineyards play in North Carolina can be seen through the state's tourism industry.

Rosemary Niewold executive director of Burke County Travel and Tourism Commission said they see weekly visitors looking for the wine trail.

Now with four wineries in close proximity Burke has its own Wine trail.

"They come in asking about the wineries. Visitor's do love wine trails," Niewold said.

"That business is growing and we do anticipate an increase in tourism."