Did you know that the first grapevine in the United States was found in North Carolina? It is located on Roanoke Island and was first discovered in 1584. So, while eastern North Carolina has quite the history of wine in the state, it is western North Carolina that has become the go-to place for wine tours, featuring a wide variety of wineries and vineyards. There are currently over 13 various wine trails throughout the state that help highlight the vineyards in North Carolina. Each trail offers a different kind of winery experience, so today, I am sharing a guide to western NC wineries.
A Guide to Western NC Wineries
Cheers! Wine Trail
The Cheers! Wine Trail is the only trail that features five different types of craft beverages and is located in Henderson County, NC.
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery is housed in a renovated barn with beautiful, sweeping views of the orchards. The cider is made from traditional Henderson County apples and apple trees transplanted from the Normandy region of France. Spend some time in the barn listening to live music and enjoying a glass of apple cider. If the hard cider isn’t available yet, get a glass of cider with a shot of brandy. In addition to making cider, Appalachian Ridge also makes pommeau, a blend of apple cider and apple brandy, which is delicious. In addition to cider, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards wines are available for purchase, local brews are on tap, and check out the food trucks and live music.
P.S. If you are looking for a place to stay, check out the Air BnB on the property!
Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery is at 731 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Burnshirt Vineyards
Burntshirt Vineyards offers a full-service bar, including local brews and their wines for tasting. I chose to try the “Dry Wines” flight and was really impressed with each one. I ended up bringing home a bottle of the Gruner and a bottle of the Sparkling Brut. Burntshirt Vineyards is definitely a great spot to spend the afternoon. Order food from the Vintner’s Table from the bar and sit anywhere you’d like. Enjoy the massive patio or the rocking chairs overlooking the vineyards.
Burntshirt Vineyards is at 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards opened in 2011 and was the first vineyard in Hendersonville. Saint Paul Farms is where the orchard for Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery is and also produces an assortment of award-winning wines using 14 varietals of French vinifera grapes. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards hosts live music on the covered patio and a food truck.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is at 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792.
High Country Wine Trail
The High Country Wine Trail provides a unique take on wines found in NC given the elevation at which the grapes are grown. Stay in Blowing Rock or Valle Crucis and check out the wines here!
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
I cannot rave about Grandfather Vineyard & Winery enough. Check out their event calendar to see what live music and food trucks will be on-site when planning your visit. Try a flight to figure out which bottles you would like to take home with you and make an afternoon of enjoying the beautiful property. You can also build your own charcuterie board or purchase snacks in the tasting room. I took home bottles of the Sparkling River White, Pinot Gris, and Dry Sparkling Rosé. Do get there early to grab yourself a spot!
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is at 225 Vineyard Lane Banner Elk NC 28604.
Two wineries in this region that are on my list to visit on a return trip are Banner Elk Winery & Villa and Linville Falls Winery. Book a wine tasting to experience these High Country wineries.
Southern Gateway Trail
The Southern Gateway Trail is paired up with the Lexington BBQ Trail in the foothills of North Carolina.
Childress Vineyards
Childress Vineyards is at 1000 Childress Vineyards Rd, Lexington, NC 27295.
Surry County Wine Trail
There is no shortage of wineries and vineyards to visit in the Yadkin Valley wine country! Here is a travel guide for what to do while you are in Surry County for your wine visit!
Adagio Vineyards and Winery
Adagio is a musical term that means performed slowly with passion, reflecting the owners’ passion for wine and classical music. This pet and kid-friendly tasting room offers tours of the wine-making process. Adagio Vineyards and Winery has a spacious tasting room, a nice patio area, and wine flights.
Adagio Vineyards & Winery is at 139 Benge Dr, Elkin, NC 28621.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery
Under new ownership, Carolina Heritage is veteran and family-owned and operated and features organic wines and beer. The winery has a delightful porch and a cottage on the property for rent. The wines here range from sweet to dry, including Glogg, which is a mulled wine perfect for the holiday season.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery is at 170 Heritage Vines Way Elkin NC 28621.
Elkin Creek Vineyards
Talk about a hidden gem! Elkin Creek Vineyards is located an hour north of Charlotte. It is located on the site of a historic 1896 grist mill and where two creeks merge together. The property features cabins, a restaurant that serves up delicious pizzas, and European-inspired style wines. This is a must-visit spot while in town!
Elkin Creek Vineyards is at 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road Elkin NC 28621.
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery is housed in a historic dairy barn of the famous Klondike Farm, which is also included in the branding of their semi-sweet and dessert wines. The tasting room is in a converted horse stable and is a cozy spot to curl up for an afternoon enjoying the wines. There are hiking trails on the property that go to Carter Falls and Grassy Creek, and the Klondike Cabins are up the hill making this a perfect spot to call home for a weekend.
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery is at 235 Chatham Cottage Circle State Road, NC 28676.
JOLO Winery & Vineyards
JOLO Winery & Vineyards has gorgeous views of Pilot Mountain and Coxe Lake. It is veteran-owned and family-operated. Given the nature of the property, guests must be 21 and up to visit. There is an on-site restaurant serving up a casual yet delicious menu for lunch and dinner. My favorite wine at JOLO is their Twinkles wine.
JOLO Winery & Vineyards is at 220 Jolo Winery Lane Pilot Mountain NC 27041.
Old North State Winery
This urban winery offers great wines and an outstanding food menu and is housed in a renovated 1890s mercantile building. Every Thursday at 6:00PM, enjoy four international wines hand-selected by ONSW sommelier paired with four hors d’oeuvres prepared by ONSW executive chef for $25. It is by reservation only. You can pop in for a glass of wine. If you want to join them for dinner, be sure to make a reservation online.
Old North State Winery is at 308 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030.
Round Peak Vineyards
Round Peak Vineyards is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and offers sweeping views of Skull Camp and Round Peak Mountains. The vineyard’s property offers a dog park, a disc golf course, a patio that often has live music to really enjoy the mountain views, and a cozy indoor tasting room.
Round Peak Vineyards is at 765 Round Peak Church Road Mount Airy, NC 27030.
Shelton Vineyards
Visit the largest family-owned vineyard and the only vineyard that features its wine in a hotel wine bar! Shelton Vineyards is open 7 days a week for tastings, and their on-site restaurant, Harvest Grill, is a great spot for lunch and dinner. The Hampton Inn & Suites features a wine bar in the hotel lobby that serves up Shelton Vineyards wine Wednesday through Sunday.
Shelton Vineyards is at 286 Cabernet Lane Dobson, NC 27017.
Other Western NC Winery & Vineyards Favorites
Biltmore Estate Winery
If you are planning on visiting the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, be sure to leave time to do a wine tasting at the Biltmore Estate winery. Included in a daytime pass is a complimentary wine tasting. Visit the beautifully designed indoor/outdoor Wine Bar for charcuterie and locally-made truffles. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and will help you find a wine you love.
Biltmore Estate Winery is on the Biltmore Property in Antler Hill Village. Biltmore Estate is at 1 Lodge St. Asheville, NC 28803.
Dynamis Estate Wines
Dynamis Estate Wines is a truly hidden gem featuring the best wines in North Carolina. The property is about 2.5 miles up a mountain from the entrance, making for an idyllic drive up. It is the coziest space, and because a tasting requires reservations, it is such an elevated experience. There are light bites available to include in your personalized tasting experience as well.
Dynamis Estate Wines is at 1004 Highland Rd, Jonesville, NC 28642.
Mountain Brook Vineyards
In the Tryon foothills, you will find the gorgeous Mountain Brook Vineyards. There are beautiful views, great wine, and an outdoor pavilion for live music. In the cooler months, enjoy outdoor seating around a fireplace or the large communal fire pit. Check their calendar for special events. I attended a special events dinner and had a lovely time!
Mountain Brook Vineyards is at 731 Phillips Dairy Road Tryon NC 28782.
On my list of places to visit in the future are Divine Llamas Vineyards and Parker-Binns Vineyard.
For more on North Carolina wineries, check out this post that features my first time in Surry County! You also can see a girls’ weekend trip I took to the Yadkin Valley when we were still social distancing here.
I’d love to hear about your favorite western NC wineries in the comments below!
You can save the map below and use it as a guide when visiting the various wine trails in Western North Carolina. I color-coded by the trails mentioned here to help with navigation.
