Finest Made in NC Product

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It’s red, it’s iconic and it makes sense that our readers voted Cheerwine best “Made in NC Product” in our annual Carolina’s First contest.

Our state boasts a lot of impressive “Made in NC” products, making for stiff competition and hard decisions when you have to name just one. Cheerwine tops this year’s list. Originating in 1917 in Salisbury when L.D. Peeler created it, the story goes that when he blended a wild cherry flavor with other flavors he happened upon a winning combination.

With its “burgundy-red color and a cheery disposition, the name ‘Cheerwine’ simply made sense,” says the company’s historical timeline. The 103-year-old Carolina Beverage Company is still privately owned and managed by the same founding family. The drink has its own fan club and, no doubt, many of them are readers of Carolina Country.

There’s nothing like an ice-cold Cheerwine.

—Chris Dellinger, Lincolnton, a member of Rutherford EMC