Duplin winemakers’ early challenges continue to have sweet results
Duplin County is in the heart of eastern North Carolina and is revered as being at the center of the state’s coastal wine region, just a short drive from Interstate 95 with easy access from Interstate 40, in southeastern North Carolina. The winery that shares its name has done much to build the region’s reputation as wine country. Though the establishment of Duplin Winery was not the original plan, the results have been sweet!
When brothers David and Dan Fussell planted 10 acres of muscadine grapes in 1972, their plan was to sell them to a winemaker who appreciated the unique qualities of the native varietal. By the time the Fussell’s vines were mature enough to produce fruit, the price had plummeted, and the brothers were forced to find another way to make their crop pay off. With the help of their father, Big D, their venture into winemaking began. Nearly 50 years later, the fruits of their labor are evident not only in their home of Duplin County, but throughout the country.
Today, Duplin Winery (505 N. Sycamore Street, Rose Hill, NC 28458) is the largest winery in the south, and the biggest producer of muscadine wines in the country. From their winery in Rose Hill, the Fussell’s venture, now lead by third generation sons Dave and Jonathan, produces 500,000 cases of wine and welcomes more than 150,000 visitors annually.
Visitors come for tours, tastings and dining. They come for dinner shows and annual events. And they come to buy lots of wine. The Fussell family is very active in each element of the operation. Planting, growing and harvesting their own grapes, contracting for more grapes and overseeing the winemaking process are all fundamental to their success. But this winery is also an attraction for its loyal customers. To that end, the Fussells have created comfortable tasting rooms, spaces for dining and entertainment and a large and efficient retail operation. More than that, they take pride in making their best effort to give visitors a personal connection to their wines to their family.
From the annual fall Grape Stomp, to the highly anticipated holiday wines release each year, to the slate of dinner theatre performances, the Fussell family is making a visit to Duplin Winery a sweet spot – and a must-see attraction – for North Carolina visitors.
A visit to Duplin County is the perfect way to unplug and unwind. You can choose to immerse yourself in the area’s rich agricultural and culinary stories or just enjoy the refreshing fruits of the harvest. There are additional wineries to visit, authentic small towns to explore and much more to see and do in Duplin. Find out more at Uncork Duplin.