Georgia tops the list as the largest producer of muscadines nationwide.
The name ‘muscadine’ comes from the word ‘musk’ because they are extremely aromatic.
Suited to warm, humid weather, this sweet resilent grape grows well. Some vineyards don’t even fertilize or irrigate their fields.
Muscadines still grow wild in the woods of the Southeast and are not only eaten fresh as table grapes, but are also used for jelly, juice, and wine.
The nation’s first settlers produced muscadine wine making it extremely popular until the early 1800s before Prohibition.
Now the wine is making a comeback due to the grape’s fruitiness and that the wine contains rich sources of polyphenois and may provide greater amounts of reveratrol, an antioxidant know for many health benefits.
There are three exclusive muscadine growers in Georgia.
Meinhardt Vineyards & Winery
305 Kennedy Pond Rd.
Statesboro, GA
912-839-2458
http://www.meinhardtvineyards.com
Still Pond Vineyard & Winery
1575 Still Pond Road
Arlington, GA
800-475-1193
http://www.stillpond.com
Shannon Vineyards & Winery
4197 Savannah Highway (US 21 North)
Sylvania, GA
912-857-3076
http://www.shannonvineyards.com