The Next Wine Country Contender Is — Wait, Charlotte?
Watch out, Napa: Charlotte’s about to bring on the wine.
The city known for its plethora of craft breweries has opened its arms to beer’s sophisticated cousin, wine.
Charlotte City Council approved a petition at its zoning meeting Monday night that allows wineries in the same urban and industrial zoning districts as breweries.
Bold Rock Hard Cider Vice President of Retail Operations Lindsay Dorrier filed the petition.
“There’s obviously great interest in wineries or breweries or maybe a combination,” Mayor Vi Lyles said as council members voted yes.
City Council member Dimple Ajmera said she did a lot of research on wineries in advance of this vote, seeing the potential for economic impact in Charlotte.
“I hope the petitioner brings a lot more economic opportunities to our region. So, no pressure there,” she said.
Zoning committee staff also unanimously supported the proposition, stating that in addition to broadening the economy to accommodate emerging industries, wineries involve less intensive manufacturing than breweries. Wineries also provide tasting rooms, which will add to the social fabric of the city, and they can add to the urban fabric as a pedestrian or transit destination.
