(PRLEAP.COM) Duplin Winery is sponsoring a label competition for the newest limited edition wine which will honor the First Annual Toast of the Coast Wine Festival in Wilmington, North Carolina to be held in May, 2008. The contest, which is entering its final weeks of accepting entries, is open to all artists who have a fondness of the Carolina Coast. “We have a great love of North Carolina, and the coast is a big part of what North Carolina represents to a lot of people. This is the perfect way to showcase the jewels of the Carolina coast and offer artists the opportunity to gain recognition and exposure. We invite all entrants to visit the winery, walk the vineyards, and explore our Carolina coast for inspiration,” Jonathan Fussell, President of Retail Sales at Duplin Winery.

Duplin Winery has received a great response to the competition and is looking forward to announcing the winner on February 1, 2008. The contest deadline is December 14, 2007. The finalists and all entrants will be able to showcase their submitted work at the Duplin Winery Art Show and Auction to be held April 26, 2008 at Duplin Winery. The winning pieces will be auctioned at the charity event. In addition to having the work featured on the commemorative wine, the winner will receive a monetary prize, four tickets to the Muscadine Festival Gala and accommodations, one case of the wine, and recognition on the Duplin Winery website. For further rules, submission guidelines, and eligibility, artists are encouraged to visit Duplin Winery’s website (www.duplinwinery.com).

“The works we have received so far are truly a testament to the talented artisans we have in North Carolina and the pieces are a wonderful representation of our beautiful coastline. We have a challenge in front of us in not only choosing a winner, but narrowing the field to the finalists,” says Jonathan Fussell.

Duplin Winery is the oldest and largest winery in the south. They are the most award-winning Muscadine winery in the world, and recently brought home the North Carolina Muscadine Cup for an unprecedented three years in a row.