North Fork of Roanoke is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in south-western Virginia, stretching for 22 miles (35km) along the course of the Roanoke River. The Bordeaux varieties do well here, as they do in much of Virginia, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc being used to make both blended and varietal wines. Rich white wines are also produced in North Fork of Roanoke, mostly from Chardonnay and Viognier.
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The AVA lies in Roanoke County just to the west of the city of Roanoke, and many of North Fork's vineyards can be found on the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Mountains, a part of the larger Blue Ridge mountain range that stretches south into North Carolina. The AVA is named for its position on the North Fork river, before it converges with the South Fork to form the Roanoke River.
Site selection is vital in North Fork of Roanoke to combat the negative effects of the climate in the humid state of Virginia. Vineyards are found on the hillsides at altitudes of between 1000ft and 2200ft (300–670m) above sea level. Here, the constant movement of air means that cold air cannot pool above the vines, decreasing the risk of spring and fall frosts. Westerly breezes that flow though the valley provide a refreshing influence in the growing season and also help to dry the canopy in the summer, reducing the risk of fungal vine diseases. Morning fog in the summer helps to moderate the effects of warm sunshine as well, resulting in a balance of phenols and acidity in the finished wines.
The granitic soils in the area are typical of their mountainous origins and are made up of gravel and loam. In the hillside vineyards, excellent drainage negates the effects of the moderate rainfall, lessening vigor in the vines and leading to the production of high-quality berries.
North Fork of Roanoke was approved as an AVA in 1987, at the same time as the neighboring Rocky Knob AVA and the much-larger Shenandoah Valley AVA of north-western Virginia. North Fork's original petitioner is no longer in operation, and now there is only one producer making wines under the appellation, Valhalla Vineyards.
