We might well speak of the great state of North Carolina, because it is surely that. But we’re making a motion to swap that “great” for “grape,” because isn’t it about time the muscadine got its due? The Outer Banks’ Mother Vine has been around for more than 400 years, after all, and elsewhere in the state, artists and booksellers have turned to grapevines and their fruit for inspiration. The South’s famed scuppernong grape was named for a river here in North Carolina. We already knew these sweet, substantial fruits make good wine. And as it turns out, they make a great pie, too — skins (surprise!) and all. Or so we’ve heard through the — well, you know.
On Roanoke Island, in the care of a vigilant couple, a piece of our history still grows.
Grapevines join bark and kudzu in an Asheville artist’s unique take on baskets.
At Greensboro’s independent bookstore, good reads are ripe for the picking.
Grape skins in a pie? It used to be commonplace, and with good reason. Let’s bring it back.
In Columbia, the river that gave its name to our grape is a lifeline and a family tie.
When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, the residents of this Chatham County town start early.
Our editor in chief shares a few treasured memories from her childhood home, a Christmas Eve night being one of the very first.
We took some, ahem, creative liberties when we combed through Our State’s archives to find a few favorite stories that carry the tune of a Christmas classic.
From decades-old family recipes to a centuries-old Carolina cookie, we’re filling our holiday tables with dishes that have stood the test of time.
