Alabama Wine Overview
A view of Ozan Winery, situated on a 24-acre estate in the midst of Alabama wine country in Calera. Credit: Ozan Winery Facebook
When one thinks of Alabama, wine typically isn’t at the top of the list, but there is in fact a thriving wine industry in the state.
For starters, there are at least a dozen wineries in Alabama and more than 100 vineyards. Similar to other southern states, the muscadine grape thrives here — but Alabama wine isn’t limited to sweet and sweeter. Norton grapes are successfully grown in Alabama, and experimentation with other traditional grapes is underway at several Alabama vineyards.
Alabama’s climate isn’t ideal for growing many types of grapes, especially in the southern portion of the state. Most Alabama wineries and vineyards are clustered in the east central part of the state, where the topography is hilly and offers microclimates conducive to grape growing. Some success is also occurring in the more mountainous northern part of Alabama, and new wineries are arriving on the scene.
We toured most of Alabama’s wineries, so be sure to read our travelogue below. The trip encompassed not only Alabama wine, but three of the major Alabama cities — Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile. Birmingham, in particular, is an ideal base from which to explore Alabama’s wineries and wine industry.
Despite obstacles, primarily agricultural and cultural in nature, Alabama’s wine industry is on firm footing. Several wineries are well established and quite well known and nationally respected.
There are at least a dozen wineries in Alabama and more than 100 vineyards.
Alabama Wine Trails
Be sure to check out Alabama’s wine trail site, AlabamaWineTrail.net, where you’ll find details about the three branches of Alabama’s Wine Trail. The first is the Shelby Trail Excursion, which encompasses five wineries just south of Birmingham.
The second branch of the wine trail is the Mountain and Birmingham Trail Excursion, which begins in Birmingham and travels north via Interstate 59 to Gadsen and points beyond. This branch spotlights four Alabama wineries and the scenery traveling north from Birmingham to Gadsen is spectacular.
Finally, the third leg of the trail, the South Alabama Trail Excursion, takes you to three wineries and in the vicinity of Alabama’s historic cities, Montgomery and Mobile. Even if you’re only a casual fan of wine and local wineries, you’ll love this trip for the scenery, true Southern hospitality and the great food along the way!
Travelogue: Exploring Alabama Wine Country
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Ozan Winery in Alabama is not the best one. They run it differently that most of the local Wineries. Most local ones have a small friendly atmosphere where you can talk to the owner or person that works there and they tell you all about the different wine. Ozan tastings are more of business transaction than a enjoyable experience. I have been to about 6 other wineries in Alabama and 2 in Georgia that have the laid back friendly atmosphere. I felt more like a number at Ozan they were so busy selling they had not time to just kick back and have the Southern Hospitality. Don’t get me wrong their building and deck where nice atmosphere but it just was not the same. And the one and only Muscadine on their list they were all out of.