May is North Carolina Wine Month, and what better time to explore some of the incredible wines coming out of our state and celebrate North Carolina’s agriculture! I celebrated my birthday a few years back by visiting some of the wineries on the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail and highly recommend this experience — it remains one of my favorite weekend adventures. Keep scrolling for ways to celebrate North Carolina wines during NC Wine Month, or any month!
This article was originally published in May 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated for May 2026.
Your Guide to Celebrating North Carolina Wine Month in 2026
Take a Road Trip
There is never been a better time to hit the road and visit NC wineries in person. North Carolina wine country spans rolling mountain vineyards to scenic coastal tasting rooms, so plan a scenic route and see what you can add to your NC bucket list along the way. Many wineries now offer reserved tastings, so call or book online in advance to secure your spot.
Attend a Festival or Wine Event
Every May, more than 190 wineries across North Carolina open their doors for a month of special events, tastings, and promotions. One highlight is the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival, which combines tastings from area wineries with live music in a family-friendly park setting — a full day of sampling vintages from many of NC’s premier vineyards, complete with food trucks, contests, and the annual grape-stomping tradition. Check ncwine.org for a full calendar of events happening near you throughout the month.
Plan a Picnic
Pack a picnic and spend an afternoon at one of the wine trails — many wineries have beautiful outdoor spaces perfect for lingering over a glass. Some NC wines are also available at retailers like Total Wine and Lowe’s Foods if you want to grab a bottle and have your own backyard tasting party. You can also order wines to be delivered right to your door — see options at the Yadkin Valley NC site.
Host a Wine Tasting
I have done this and had a great time! Gather a few friends — on the front porch or inside — pick up a few different NC bottles, and do your own blind tasting. It is a fun way to discover new favorites and support local producers. We did it at our annual holiday party last year, too.
Join a Wine Club
Supporting North Carolina agriculture is always a goal of mine, so joining a wine club is a great way to do it year-round. Many NC wineries offer monthly or quarterly clubs that deliver wine straight to your door. North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the country, so there is always something new to discover. My personal favorite wine club is Dynamis Estate Wines for their pick-up parties.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a longtime fan of NC wines or just beginning to explore what our state has to offer, May is the perfect month to dive in. From a scenic road trip through the Yadkin Valley to a relaxed backyard tasting with friends, there are so many ways to celebrate — and every sip supports the hardworking farmers and winemakers who make it all possible. North Carolina’s wine scene has grown remarkably over the years, and honestly, it just keeps getting better. So grab a glass, explore something local, and raise a toast to everything that makes this state special. Cheers!
Be sure to tell me in the comments your favorite NC winery so I can add it to my list of places to try.
