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ROSE HILL, N.C. – A North Carolina winery is making a surprise splash in the wine industry.

Duplin Winery in Rose Hill, N.C., has received the Impact Hot Brands award, from M. Shanken and the Wine Spectator family of publications, as well as the Adams Beverage Group Fast Track Award. Both are internationally recognized brand awards. Duplin Winery is the first winery in the state, as well as the first Muscadine winery, to receive the awards.

The company has been family owned and operated since 1972. And the owners say receiving these awards was a dream come true. They say it's still hard for people to believe that North Carolina is a great wine state.

"Being from North Carolina and being a Muscadine person and achieving this, is just a blessing from God," said Ann Fussell, one of the owners.

But it wasn't always wine and roses for the Fussell family.

"At one point in time, I lost my house. I had to go back and teach school just to eat," Ann's husband, David Fussell, said.

But Ann Fussell insisted that they keep making their sweet and fruity blends. Now, Duplin Winery is the oldest winery in the state and largest Muscadine winery in the world.

"I never thought because of the hard times that we went through that we could ever reach such as level of success," David Fussell said.

Another accomplishment for the family is their wine called Hatteras Red, the best-selling wine in the state. They say that's because with every sip comes a little taste of southern hospitality.

"It's a really nice wine that you can drink on your porch just watching the sunset," said Patrick Fussell, the vineyard controller.

The family will be presented with both awards at a special ceremony in April.