Farmer Touts Grapes for Old Tobacco Land

Source from:  By Tom Murphy, Rocky Mount Telegram 08/29/2005

Land that can be used to grow tobacco or cotton is suitable to grow muscadine grapes, Ben Webb of Sandy Cross Vineyards told Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club members Thursday at Benvenue Country Club. Webb is growing grapes on 10 acres for wine production off N.C. 58 on Volunteer Road in Nash County. He is a member of the Old North State Winery, a wine producing co-op in Mount Airy in Surry County. "Muscadine grapes are native to North Carolina," Webb said. "They are large thick-skinned grapes that grow in small, loose clusters and are often harvested as individual berries." The most well-known variety of the muscadine grape family is the scuppernong, designated as North Carolina's official state fruit in 2001, Webb said. Webb said Nash County is the perfect area to grow muscadine grapes. "The soil is sandy loam with good drainage, perfect for growing muscadines," he said. Muscadines can be harvested mechanically, Webb said. They also can be harvested at smaller vineyards with a catch-frame harvester, he said. "With the catch-frame harvester, grape producers take a paddle and hit the grapevines, causing the ripe grapes to fall into a catch net," he said. Webb said he raises organic grapes. "Muscadines have their own immune system and fight off diseases," he said. Webb ships the juice from his berries to the Mount Airy co-op, where it is made into wine. His grapes also are used to produce jellies and juices. His vineyard produces about 5,000 cases of wine on 10 acres, he said. Webb said the first wine was made from muscadine grapes in 1580 in Florida. "The wine producers made 800 gallons," he said. The Mount Airy wine co-op has 38 members. Webb has won several awards for his grapes, including an award for product quality at a recent N.C. State Fair. He has a pick-your-own operation. Grapes, he said, should be ready to pick in about three weeks. Webb said he hopes to take his vineyard operation to a higher level and open his own winery. Enditem