As the hot and humid summer climate makes winemaking particularly challenging, the South Carolina wine industry is a labor of love and a little bit of a gamble. Although colonists planted grape vines throughout the region beginning in the 1700s, winemaking has remained a relatively small industry in the state. The grapevines must withstand scorching heat, and the amount of rainfall varies dramatically from year to year, making for an unpredictable harvest season. Even after grapes are off the vines, the threat of a late-season hurricane can be a cause of anxiety among vineyard owners. To counter these obstacles, grapes are often harvested early in the summer before they lose their desired acidity. Viticulturists are still looking for just the right variety of vine that will flourish in this state’s temperamental climate. Given these significant difficulties, it is not surprising that South Carolina currently has less than ten wineries operating throughout the state, making wines made from vinifera, hybrid, and native Muscadine grape varieties.