Wine not? City leaders vote to allow wineries in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — City leaders approved on an amendment Monday night that will allow wineries to open in the city.

There would not be a vineyard, but the wineries would make wine, cider or mead on property. The wineries would follow the same zoning rules that breweries follow.

The two cideries in town were limited to industrial property because that's where general alcohol production is allowed.

“It's really just a matter of fairness,” attorney Russell Ferguson said. “Wineries are essentially identical to breweries, and it makes sense to change it so they're allowed to go in the same place breweries are in Charlotte."

City leaders hope the wineries will encourage more people to walk or take the light rail to urban neighborhoods.

The vote passed Monday night without opposition.

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