Rocky Knob is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in a mountainous area of southwest Virginia within portions of Floyd and Patrick counties. It is located on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains west and northwest of the towns of Woolwine and Meadows of Dan astride the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was established as the nation's 27th and the state's second appellation on January 12, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by W.F. Morrisette of Woolwine Winery on behalf of itself and local vintners proposing a viticultural area known as "Rocky Knob."
The viticultural area encompasses and, at the outset, had of cultviation under vine. The elevations in Rocky Knob AVA range from above sea level. Strong winds at these elevations help protect grapes from fungus and mildew conditions. The average rainfall is per year. The soil is primarily well-drained silt loam and gravel. The vineyards are located in hardiness zones 7a and 7b. The name Rocky Knob is taken from the mountainous recreational area within the viticultural area boundary. Rocky Knob Recreation Area appears on State maps on both sides of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is the main highway through the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. The community of Tuggle Gap is located at the north boundary and Rock Castle Gap at the southern boundary of the viticultural area. The petition states that the name Rocky Knob has been in existence since prior to 1770 and is a topographical description of the area.
Terroir Topography The petitioner submitted data to establish a geographically significant viticultural area by reducing the previously proposed area to about . The new boundary is generally the mountainous area east of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The elevation varies from at the north boundary in the vicinity of Widgeon Creek to at the southern boundary in the vicinity of Hog Mountain. The Rocky Knob viticultural area has a steep drop in elevation to the southeast in the vicinity of Rock Castle Gorge.
Climate This area is colder in the spring which forces a later bloom set and causes a growing season about one week later than the surrounding area. This later bloom set allows vines to survive the erratic early spring cold. Also, there is more wind in the area which reduces the chance of a severe frost accumulation. The average rainfall is per year and the average temperature for the growing season, which lasts 160 days, is May , June , July , August , September , and October . Warm days with cool nights are typical during the growing season in the area and provide excellent growing conditions. High winds afford good soil drying conditions which minimize grape diseases.
Soils The soil in the area is mostly silt loam combined with gravel which provides the drainage necessary for good grape production. The soils in the area east of the revised boundary is mostly clay which does not provide drainage.
Viticulture The petitioner states that to the west there are intermittent plateaus of deep loam soil, comprising , suitable for viticultural purposes. of grapes were planted in 1976 on top of Sugarloaf Mountain, which is in the Rocky Knob area. This first commercial-planting of wine grapes was experimental and the results were positive.
See also Virginia Wine List of wineries in Virginia
References
External links Blue Ridge – Virginia Wine Virginia Vineyards Association Virginia Wine TTB AVA Map