Duplin Winery walks to end Alzheimer’s with $25,000 donation

Dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of families, Duplin Winery has joined forces with the Alzheimer's Association in its mission to end the disease and all forms of dementia while ensuring top-notch care for those affected.

Duplin Winery was a presenting sponsor of the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's — Wilmington!, in North Carolina, with a $25,000 pledge. The family-owned winery also participated in the walk on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Wrightsville Beach Park in Wrightsville Beach, N.C. 

“Like countless families with loved ones who have suffered from Alzheimer’s, ours experienced a great void when we lost my grandfather, Maverick, to the disease in 2021. His enormous heart inspired us to create a namesake wine, with proceeds from its sales going to the Alzheimer’s Association,” 4th generation Duplin winemaker Gray Fussell said.

Gray Fussell was among 11 Fussell family members and Duplin employees, as well as numerous winery supporters, who walked for the cause.

Duplin Winery is the South’s oldest winery and a favorite gathering place at locations in Rose Hill, N.C.; North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Panama City Beach, Fla. The Fussell family has been making wine in Rose Hill since 1976, when David Fussell Sr. and his brother, Dan Fussell, founded Duplin Winery.

Today, the winery is owned and managed by four generations of the Fussell family, including David Fussell Sr.’s sons, Jonathan Fussell and Dave Fussell Jr. Gray Fussell is the son of David Fussell Jr.

Gerald “Maverick” Myrick was the father of Dave’s wife, Angie Fussell, who worked with her son, Gray Fussell, and his cousin, Duplin winemaker Case Merritt, on the Alzheimer’s Association partnership.

“Family is the backbone of everything we do at Duplin Winery,” Angie Fussell said. “Our love for my dad and our commitment to honoring his life and improving the lives of others living with Alzheimer’s is giving us an outlet for our grief and an even greater way to connect with our coastal community.”

Maverick was a limited-run white wine that sold out quickly after its release in April 2024.

“We are endlessly grateful to our Duplin family of customers for helping us make this partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association possible,” Gray Fussell said. “And we were honored to walk side-by-side with them as we continue on the path to a cure for Alzheimer’s”