Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2019 |
| Years of wine industry | 17 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | North Carolina |
| Other regions in North Carolina | Appalachian High Country AVA, Haw River Valley AVA, Swan Creek AVA, Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, Yadkin Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 209 days |
| Climate region | Region III |
| Heat units | 63 to 67 °F (17–19 °C) |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 57.5 inches (1,460.5 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Rocky and mineral-rich |
| Total area | 215 square miles (137,600 acres) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 70 acres (28 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 14 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Merlot, Muscadine, Norton, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 2 |
Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Henderson County, North Carolina encompassing 215 square miles (137,600 acres). It was established on August 19, 2019, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Williams, the executive director of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, on behalf of local vineyards and winery operators, proposing the viticultural area named "Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County."
The AVA has 14 commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 70 acres (28 ha) and two wineries. Several existing vineyards are planning to expand by a total of 55 acres (22 ha) in the next 5 years. According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA are its climate and topography—specifically its elevation.