ABSTRACT

This chapter examines about the post-Prohibition efforts to revive the industry. The attention initially focused upon scuppernong since farmers in the eastern part of the state had realized how easy it was to grow, especially since it was resistant to many of the diseases and insects. Senator Carl Vitners from Onslow County introduced SB 167 in 1965 and the North Carolina state legislature began funding research on various aspects of muscadine growing and marketing. Emphasizing scuppernong or broadly muscadines would be an inexpensive way of utilizing existing resources in a cost-effective manner. After Prohibition, interest in hybrids was accompanied by experiments with vinifera, especially given the success of such grapes in California and a desire to make table wines that might appeal to a broad audience. New entrants to the industry were more committed to making European-style wines that had greater cache than the sweet muscadines.