Duplin Winery at 50: Myrtle Beach Days
In 2026, Duplin Winery reaches its golden jubilee, a monumental 50 years of crafting sweet memories and turning America’s native grapes into a national treasure. This celebration isn't just a look back; it is your invitation to taste a journey defined by grit and grace. Through five limited-edition reserve wines, we are sharing our story one bottle at a time, each released quarterly to honor a different chapter of Duplin’s heritage. Be the first to know about more jubilee specials. Sign up the 50th Anniversary Newsletter.
Chapter 2: The Dream Heads South
The Duplin legacy is built on family, and in 2015, that family tree experienced a massive growth spurt. We’re raising a glass to the year of our very first expansion beyond North Carolina, bringing the Duplin spirit to North Myrtle Beach!
We’re marking this milestone with 2015 Reserve, a wine inspired by the original Goin' Coastal blush created specifically for the North Myrtle Beach grand opening. For this limited release, only available while it lasts in 2026, winemakers selected premium muscadine grapes from across the Carolinas to create a blend bursting with fresh fruit and a smooth, sun-drenched citrus finish.
As the second chapter in the 50th Anniversary Series, 2015 Reserve is one of five special wines arriving throughout 2026. Each label serves as a piece of a larger puzzle; once gathered, they reveal the complete, heart-filled story of the Duplin legacy.
A leap of faith
When we first imagined sharing the Duplin story beyond tiny Rose Hill, N.C., our hearts were full of dreams and a little bit of that coastal breeze. Myrtle Beach has always been a place of joy for the Fussell family, who founded Duplin Winery in 1976. Each generation vacationed there and imagined a winery location where the sand meets the spirit of hospitality.
Turning that vision into reality took more than just planning; it took a leap of faith. After countless long discussions and a collection of "someday" sketches, we finally broke ground in 2014, beginning the slow, steady work of setting down roots in new soil.
By the spring of 2015, with the incredible support of Duplin fans by our side, we joyfully opened the North Myrtle Beach location.
"Walking through the doors that first morning in North Myrtle Beach, I couldn’t help but think of my grandfather. He and my brother, Dave, always saw something special in the Grand Strand, and seeing their dream finally come true was an incredible, emotional milestone for all of us. We weren't just opening a building; we were bringing a piece of our family's heart to the coast," Duplin co-owner Jonathan Fussell says.
No better place
As plans to head south unfolded, we knew the building had to be as welcoming as a glass of sweet muscadine wine. The result was a stunning 15,000-square-foot escape, wrapped in wide, breezy porches that invite you to sit a spell. Even today, there’s no better place to pull up a chair, sip your favorite wine, and look out over the salt marsh while the music of live entertainers floats through the air.
We took extra care to make sure our new home respected the neighborhood’s oldest residents, too. Instead of clearing the land, builders tucked decks and walkways right around the majestic live oak trees on the property, preserving giants that have stood for hundreds of years.
Step through the front doors and you’re greeted by a sight that stops everyone in their tracks: a 28-foot-tall replica of the iconic Cape Hatteras lighthouse. It’s a nod to the North Carolina landmark found on our labels. Once you get close, you’ll realize you can actually step inside to shop!
Since that first day in 2015, Duplin North Myrtle Beach has only grown more lively. From a bigger kitchen and the Sweet Shop's cheesecake bar to cozy new lounge areas coming in 2026 and 2027, we are always dreaming up fresh ways to share the Duplin spirit with you.
Taste the history
2015 Reserve is truly a "vacation in a bottle," and its tropical notes of pineapple and citrus make it a dream to pair with fresh, breezy flavors. It’s a natural partner for the coast’s best catches. Think chilled shrimp cocktail or crispy fried shimp cocktail. If you’re looking for a perfect porch snack, try it with a dollop of cream cheese topped with spicy pepper jelly on a cracker or a zesty pineapple salsa. The wine’s light sweetness does a beautiful job of balancing out a little Southern heat in jalapeno pimento cheese. For a real treat, sip a glass alongside a slice of creamy vanilla cheesecake or a classic BLT to let those crisp melon undertones really shine.
Don't miss Chapter 3
As we raise a glass to the last 50 years, we invite you to be part of the next piece of our story. Stay tuned for Chapter 3 coming in August, when we introduce the third wine in the Duplin 50th Anniversary Series that explores expansion into the moutains of Tennessee.
