-
Brothers David and Dan Fussell of Rose Hill, N.C., plant 10 acres of muscadine grapes. State lawmakers reduce the state tax on native table wine in an effort to boost North Carolina’s wine sales. (photo by Mary Lide Parker)
Brothers David and Dan Fussell of Rose Hill, N.C., plant 10 acres of muscadine grapes. State lawmakers reduce the state tax on native table wine in an effort to boost North Carolina’s wine sales. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
Period: to
Duplin Winery: A leader in N.C.'s wine industry
-
The Fussell brothers open a wine-making business, producing their first vintage wine from muscadine grapes. Duplin Winery, today the state’s largest and oldest operating winery, is born. They stomp and lick the labels themselves on the 20 cases they make
The Fussell brothers open a wine-making business, producing their first vintage wine from muscadine grapes. Duplin Winery, today the state’s largest and oldest operating winery, is born. They stomp and lick the labels themselves on the 20 cases they make this year. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
David Sr. buys out his brother’s share of the business.
David Sr. buys out his brother’s share of the business. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
With the addition of grapes from other local growers, production hits 120,000 gallons.
With the addition of grapes from other local growers, production hits 120,000 gallons. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
Disaster strikes! The N.C. Attorney General rules that preferential laws that had been established by the state to promote grape-growing and wine-making are unconstitutional. Sales at Duplin Winery plummet.
Disaster strikes! The N.C. Attorney General rules that preferential laws that had been established by the state to promote grape-growing and wine-making are unconstitutional. Sales at Duplin Winery plummet. -
The next 10-plus years are hard. The family loses nearly everything but the winery itself. A slow turnaround begins when “60 Minutes” does a special on the health benefits of drinking muscadine wine.
The next 10-plus years are hard. The family loses nearly everything but the winery itself. A slow turnaround begins when “60 Minutes” does a special on the health benefits of drinking muscadine wine. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
Sales climb back up and the winery produces 85,000 gallons of wine.
Sales climb back up and the winery produces 85,000 gallons of wine. -
Jonathan Fussell, the son of Dave Sr., graduates from UNC-Chapel Hill, and goes home to the winery to help run the family business — along with his brother Dave Jr., a 1990 East Carolina University alumnus.
Jonathan Fussell, the son of Dave Sr., graduates from UNC-Chapel Hill, and goes home to the winery to help run the family business — along with his brother Dave Jr., a 1990 East Carolina University alumnus. (photo by Mary LIde Parker) -
Dave Sr. retires from the business. Gradually, this second generation of Fussell brothers — Jonathan and Dave Jr. — will begin to take over the winemaking business.
Dave Sr. retires from the business. Gradually, this second generation of Fussell brothers — Jonathan and Dave Jr. — will begin to take over the winemaking business. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
James Sprunt Hill Community College in Duplin County establishes a viticulture program (the science, production and study of grapes), in part because of Duplin Winery’s success.
James Sprunt Hill Community College in Duplin County establishes a viticulture program (the science, production and study of grapes), in part because of Duplin Winery’s success. -
Duplin Winery produces Mothervine scuppernong wine, the first wine in over 100 years to be produced from the native Mother Vine, the oldest vine in America.
Duplin Winery produces Mothervine scuppernong wine, the first wine in over 100 years to be produced from the native Mother Vine, the oldest vine in America. -
Two top industry brand awards, the Impact Hot Brand Award and the Fast Track Brand Award are given to Duplin Winery — honors that it will sweep again in 2010 and 2011.
Two top industry brand awards, the Impact Hot Brand Award and the Fast Track Brand Award are given to Duplin Winery — honors that it will sweep again in 2010 and 2011. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
The winery brings in about $18 to $20 million a year in retail sales and hosts around 100,000 visitors. In addition to more than 120 acres of vineyards in Rose Hill, the winery contracts with 47 growers across 1,800 acres in four states.
The winery brings in about $18 to $20 million a year in retail sales and hosts around 100,000 visitors. In addition to more than 120 acres of vineyards in Rose Hill, the winery contracts with 47 growers across 1,800 acres in four states. (photo by Mary Lide Parker) -
The winery opens an amphitheater not far down the road from its retail room and production facility at a new 43.5 acre site. Future plans include a new winery, a hotel, an events center and a spa.
The winery opens an amphitheater not far down the road from its retail room and production facility at a new 43.5 acre site. Future plans include a new winery, a hotel, an events center and a spa. -
For the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, Duplin Winery is expected to sell 360,000 to 370,000 cases of wine, quite a boost from the 20 cases sold its first year.
For the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30, Duplin Winery is expected to sell 360,000 to 370,000 cases of wine, quite a boost from the 20 cases sold its first year. (photo by Mary Lide Parker)
