The new Haw River Valley AVA encompasses 868 square miles in north central North Carolina, between Greensboro and Durham. This agricultural valley was historically known for its soybean and tobacco crops. There are currently four grape wineries producing wine in this area making up the 50-mile-long Haw River Wine Trail. The distiguishing features of the proposed Haw River Valley viticultural area include its geology, soils, elevation, and climate. Its inland location, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Appalachian Mountains, and its complex geological history combine to create a unique viticultural region. The Haw River watershed, which comprises 98 percent of the proposed viticultural area, was used to determine the proposed boundary line.