North Carolina Fruit

Scuppernong Grape

(Genus Vitis)

Adopted in 2001.

The General Assembly of 2001 designated the Scuppernong grape, Genus Vitis, as the official State Fruit (Session laws, 2001, c. 488).

The first grape to be actively cultivated in the United States, the Scuppernong is a variety of muscadine grape. It was named for the Scuppernong River, which runs from Washington County to the Albemarle Sound. The Roanoke colonists are believed to have discovered the Scuppernong "Mother Vineyard," a vine that is now over 400 years old and has a trunk more than two feet thick.

Grape cultivation is a small but growing part of the North Carolina economy. The value of the state's 2000 crop was over $2,600,000, up 17% from 1999.
 

The Scuppernong (Vitis rotundifolia) is a variety of muscadine grape, and has the distinction of being the first grape ever actively cultivated in the United States. It was named for the Scuppernong River, which runs from Washington County to the Albemarle Sound. Giovanni de Verrazano noticed this variety as far back as 1524, and explorers for Sir Walter Raleigh (or Ralegh, as it's sometimes spelled) in the 1580's sent back reports from the Outer Banks of grape vines that "…covered every shrub and climbed the tops of high cedars. In all the world, a similar abundance was not to be found." The Roanoke colonists are credited with discovering the Scuppernong "Mother Vineyard," a vine that is now over 400 years old and covers half an acre.

Grape cultivation (of scuppernong and other varieties) is a small but growing part of the North Carolina economy. The value of the state's 2000 crop was over $2,600,000, up 17% from 1999. According to the NC Department of Agriculture, there are 250 vineyards and 21 wineries located throughout the state.