North Carolina is home to almost 200 wineries that are spread out across the state all the way from the sandy coast to the mountains. The website NCWine.org has a pretty extensive and user-friendly list / map of wineries across the state, so no matter where you plan to travel you can add a winery visit to your trip.
Here are some of our favorite NC wineries that should be on your must-visit list ~ if we missed one of your favorites, please add in the comments below!
Childress Vineyards
1000 Childress Vineyards Rd., Lexington, NC 27295
If you want to visit somewhere with a wide variety of wines then Childress Vineyards needs to be at the top of your list. The vineyard produces more than 30 different types of wines using an assortment of varietals. Selections range from cab franc and merlot all the way to a fruity riesling. Daily tours and tastings are offered and the on-site bistro has an impressive menu with dishes like pan seared salmon, house braised pork tacos, and a fried green tomato BLT. From the month of May through October Childress hosts a free music series on weekends. Conveniently enough, if you want to stay in the area there’s even a Holiday Inn Express located on the Childress property that’s only a few steps away from the tasting room.
Divine Llama Vineyards
4126 Divine Llama Ln., East Bend, NC 27018
While there are plenty of beautiful vineyards to visit throughout the Yadkin Wine Valley, Divine Llama Vineyards stands to be the most unique with more than 70 llamas on the property. The llamas are friendly and will allow you to pet their necks. While you’re there you may also want to grab a cheese plate for $8 and enjoy it with a glass of wine outside on the tasting room’s wrap around porch.
Elkin Creek Vineyard
318 Elkin Creek Mill Rd., Elkin, NC 28621
Elkin Creek Vineyard is tucked away off the main roads in what seems like its own little world, surrounded by trees with nothing but the sound of the bubbling creek off in the distance. Visiting always provides a welcomed break from the everyday hustle and bustle. After a tasting there’s so much to explore on the property, including the vineyard’s namesake, Elkin Creek, a tree swing, and a historic mill. We suggest visiting on a Sunday when they’re serving their made-to-order brick oven pizzas. If you want to make a weekend trip out of your visit, there are a few creek-side cabins on the property that are available for rent.
Raffaldini Vineyard
450 Groce Rd., Ronda, NC 28670
Raffaldini Vineyards is one of our personal favorites for its stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, expansive patio, and all the delicious gourmet snacks they stock in their deli case. We suggest doing a tasting, picking out your favorite selection, grabbing a glass (or bottle), and then picking out a few meats and cheeses for a picnic on the patio, which overlooks acres full of grapevines and scenic rolling hills.
Piccione Vineyards
2364 Cedar Forest Rd., Ronda, NC 28670
Located directly beside Raffaldini Vineyards, Piccione Vineyards has the same scenic views as its neighbor. Instead of a typical tasting Piccione offers wine flights, which gives guests a chance to have more than just a sip of their estate grown-wines that range from cabernet sauvignon to pinot grigio and sangiovese. Their covered deck is ideal for a relaxing afternoon drinking wine surrounded by the beauty of the NC foothills.
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Rd NC
Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, has a vast selection of wines that range from full-bodied, robust reds to light and fruity whites — making it the perfect place for groups of friends with different tastes in wine to stop while vineyard hopping. Visitors can enjoy tastings in the Red Barn Tasting Room and try six wines for $8.
To make an entire weekend of it consider renting one of Grassy Creek’s Klondike Cabins. The charming cabins are tucked away on the expansive property, giving overnight guests a private and peaceful place to land after a fun day full of wine tasting.
Parker Binns Winery
2275 Whiteside Road Mill Spring, NC
Situated in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Parker Binns is a multi-generation family run 40 acre winery and vineyard with 12 acres under vine. It is Polk County’s newest winery & tasting room (which is open Thurs thru Sunday).
Stonefield Cellars Winery
8220 NC Highway 68 N., Stokesdale
Located just north of Greensboro, Stonefield Cellars Winery originally opened in 2006 and has been a local staple ever since. Their selection of award-winning wines ranges from pinot gris and merlots to a riesling and semi-sweet blends. Tastings are $10 and feature seven wines off their wine list. While the vineyard does not serve food, they do have an array of assorted cheeses, crackers, peanuts, and chocolates available for purchase. Visitors will find plenty outdoor patio seating as well as some indoor seating for those sweltering days where it’s too warm to sit outside.
Overmountain Vineyards
2012 Sandy Plains Rd., Tryon
If you’re looking for a vineyard with incredible views then Overmountain Vineyards is just the ticket. The family-owned vineyard specializes in French-style wines with five different varietals that are grown on the estate — Cabernet Savuginon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Petit Manseng. There are two types of tastings available — the Regular Tasting, which is $15 and includes a tasting of all of their current wines, and then there’s the Elevated Tasting for $40, which is available by appointment only and includes a private tour of the vineyard and winery, as well as a sampling of all currently released wines and the chance to sample unreleased wines straight from the barrel.
For visitors interested in staying overnight, Overmountain has luxury villas available for rent. Villas sleep up to four people with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen.
Banner Elk Winery & Villa
60 Deer Run Ln., Banner Elk
At Banner Elk guests can expect to find a myriad of wines, including —but not limited to — full-bodied Cabernet Savs that have been aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, fruity white blends that feature a mixture of Seyval Blanc, Traminette, and Viognier grapes, and ice wines that are the perfect pairing for many desserts.
Banner Elk Winery is also home to a Tuscan-inspired villa, which features eight private suites that guests can rent for overnight stays. Each of the well-appointed rooms boasts luxe linens, Jacuzzi tubs, and picturesque mountain views.
Biltmore Estate
One Lodge St., Asheville
Hundreds of thousands of visitors make the trip to Asheville every summer to see America’s largest private estate, but many don’t realize that their ticket also includes a complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore’s winery. With more than 20 different selections to choose from — several of which are award-winning — there’s something that’s sure to appeal to everyone’s palate from unoaked chardonnays and full-bodied Cabs to semi-sweet blends and sparkling wines. After a tasting be sure to visit the wine bar where you can purchase a bottle of your favorite wine and pair it with a wide variety of cheeses or chocolate truffles. There are also specialty tours available that will take guests behind the scenes of the winery’s production facility, as well as one that takes you through the estate’s vineyards.
Treehouse Vineyards
This family-owned, 35-acre vineyard in Monroe is ideal for a date night or a fun outing with friends. Treehouse Vineyards is most well-known for its adult treehouses perched above the vineyards, some of which are available to rent overnight. A wine flight tasting is just $10 and is available 7 days a week. Check out their calendar of events here for their live music schedule and more.
Rocky River Vineyards
Sitting on 45 acres in the rolling hills of eastern Cabarrus County, Rocky River gets its name from the Big Meadow Creek that flows through the property toward Rocky River. The family owned vineyard has been growing muscadine grapes since 2003 and offers a variety of wines all fermented in steel tanks including those from grapes grown on site and others. Their annual fall festival will take place this year on Saturday, October 26 from 12-6pm.
What’s your favorite NC vineyard to visit? Tag us using @ScoopCharlotte next time you visit.
