Duplin Winery works to end Alzheimer’s
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 has joined as a presenting sponsor of the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's — Wilmington!, in North Carolina, with a $25,000 pledge. The family-owned winery is also participating in the walk on Saturday, November 2, 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.
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’s sons, Jonathan Fussell and Dave Fussell Jr., who is Gray’s father.
Gerald “Maverick” Myrick was the father of Dave’s wife, Angie Fussell, who worked with Gray and his cousin, Case, 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 look forward to walking side-by-side with them as we continue on the path to a cure for Alzheimer’s”
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer's Association is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.