I, not being a native to North Carolina, was not aware that there was a wine industry there worth merit. However, after reading an article this morning online I have been corrected and quite surprised to find that North Carolina is the 10th largest wine producing state in the United States.

According to The Business Journal online, a study by Gov. Mike Easley was released stating that the wine and grape industry contributes $813 million a year to the economy of North Carolina. There are 55 wineries in 31 counties and is continuing to grow.

The study found that the state’s wine and grape industry, along with affiliated businesses, creates 5,700 full-time jobs and $158 million in wages. The industry also pays annually $56 million in federal taxes, $38 million in state and local taxes and $2 million on wine excise taxes. But this didn’t stop North Carolina wineries from being host to more than 800,000 visitors in 2005.