North Carolina is quickly becoming a wine tourism destination. With six distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), diverse regions of the state, multiple wine trails, and numerous producers, a visit to one of these lovely vineyards and wineries is a must on any North Carolina itinerary. Travel with me as I share 16 sensational North Carolina wineries that will have you saying cheers! to planning your own visit.
16 Sensational North Carolina Wineries
1. Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery - Pine Level
Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery located in Pine Level, Johnston County, is North Carolina’s largest Muscadine vineyard. Famous for its signature sweet wines, it also produces delectable dry wines in-house using grapes sourced from Washington’s Columbia Valley. The spacious and welcoming tasting room is a comfortable place for relaxing and sampling a flight, and the patio is perfect for sipping and enjoying music on the weekends. LEARN MORE
Hinnant Family Vineyards & Winery
826 Pine Level Micro Rd,
Pine Level, NC 27568
2. Duplin Winery - Rose Hill
Duplin Wine is recognized for the lighthouse on its bottle. Travel to rural Rose Hill, North Carolina and visit the largest wine-making facility on the east coast. Celebrated for their sweet award-winning Muscadine wines, Duplin Winery is one of North Carolina’s most popular destinations.
The rustic décor and laid-back attitude makes this a delightful place to stop in and “Sip Sweet.” Visitors are able to indulge their taste buds with a wine tasting or to enjoy a tour and learn about the unique history of this family winery. They are open six days a week, closed on Sunday, and have a bistro where guests may enjoy a southern midday dining experience while visiting.
Duplin Winery
505 North Sycamore Street
Rose Hill, NC 28458
3. Twisted Vine Winery - Lenoir
Twisted Vine Winery in Lenoir is the type of place that welcomes both newcomers and regulars and makes them feel at home. A visit here is a must for anyone going through the Blueridge foothills or visiting the Hickory region.
This small scale winery does an excellent job of producing tasty wines. The wine list features appealing whites, reds, seasonals, hard ciders, and a special sweet called Bodacious, which is full of taste and the aroma of ripe peaches.
The tasting room is housed in a cozy red barn and there is also a small outdoor seating area offering pretty views of the vineyards and the foothills. Hours are limited to Thursday through Sunday, so visit their website before heading out. LEARN MORE
Twisted Vine Winery
487 Legion Road
Lenoir, NC 28645
(828)726-3185
4. Chatham Hill Winery - Cary
One of the first posts I wrote was an interview I did with the founder of Chatham Hill Winery, they have also hosted two of my book signings, so this one is special. Located in Cary, Chatham Hill is an urban winery founded in 1999, it was the fourteenth North Carolina winery, and the first in the Triangle.
Today, it is a bustling destination recognized for its award-winning wines, spacious tasting room, and live music events. Oh, and the charcuterie boards are pretty awesome too.
Open Fridays through Sundays, this is the place for gathering in the Triangle area to relax and enjoy delicious North Carolina wine that is aged, bottled, and blended in house using a minimalist approach and traditional wine-making methods. The winery is acclaimed for its European-style wines, but also has outstanding sweet wines and a line of fruit infused white wines sold under the name “Sweet Carolina.”
Chatham Hill Winery
8245 Chapel Hill Road
Cary, NC
(919) 380-1310
5. Linville Falls Winery - Linville
Linville Falls Winery is a family-owned vineyard and winery in the Blue Ridge Mountains that is part of the Appalachian High Country viticulture area. This cutting-edge tasting room on a 40-acre farm is minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and offers a quintessential winery experience.
The Tuscany-inspired tasting room is inviting and expansive. There is also a spacious outdoor seating area providing stunning views of the vineyard and the Blue Ridge. Sit by the fire and take in the wonderful surroundings – ideal for socializing, sipping, and breathing in the fresh mountain air. Order a cheese platter and relax while taking in the natural beauty, tasty wines, and romantic environment.
Before they began crafting exquisite wines for Linville Falls Winery, this was a Christmas Tree farm. Red Barn Tree Farm is still an important part of the holidays here. Plan your winery visit around a trip to the tree farm and start a delicious new holiday tradition. LEARN MORE
Linville Falls Winery
9557 Linville Falls Highway
Linville Falls, NC 28647
828) 765-1400
Open 7 days a week 12:00-6pm
6. RayLen Vineyards & Winery - Mocksville
RayLen Vineyards & Winery is one of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley Wine Country’s premier wineries. Because of its rich soil and pleasant environment, this region of the state is ideal for cultivating European-style grapes, and RayLen does an excellent job of crafting exquisite wines with these grapes.
RayLen’s tasting room is a welcoming space adorned with all things wine. Visitors are welcomed by friendly staff, whether they are regulars or road weary tourists enjoying a rest. The vineyards surrounding the tasting room are stunning and there is patio seating should you prefer to sit outside and enjoy the view.
Conveniently accessible off of I-40, the tasting room at RayLen Vineyards & Winery is open 7-days a week and tours are available. Additionally, for pet parents, dogs that are well-behaved, leashed, and up-to-date on immunizations are welcome during regular hours and at some events. LEARN MORE
RayLen Vineyards & Winery
3577 US Highway 158 Mocksville, NC 27028
7. Childress Vineyards - Lexington
Childress Vineyards has become a wine destination since its inception in 2004, playing a vital part in the state’s wine production and being a driving force behind North Carolina’s re-emerging wine sector. The vineyard is the realization of Richard Childress, one of NASCAR’s most well-known racing team owners.
The stunning Tuscan-styled tasting room, perched on a hill overlooking 72-acres of verdant vines, has a big wine shop, event space, and a bistro. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or a novice, they provide a selection of sampling options that are certain to delight every palate.
Open daily from 10 to 5, Childress Vineyards is the perfect place to make a pit-stop to savor wine and enjoy a memorable North Carolina winery experience. LEARN MORE
Childress Vineyards
1000 Childress Vineyards Road
Lexington, NC
Planning a special occasion or simply don't want to do the driving? There are numerous companies that offer wine tours in North Carolina. Do an online search and find the one that best suits your requirements. It's a great way to experience North Carolina wineries!
8. Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery - State Road
Grassy Creek Vineyards, located in the heart of the Yadkin Valley and a significant element of the Surry County Wine Trail, is housed in a historic dairy barn and the tasting room is in the converted horse stable of the legendary Klondike Farm.
The pet-friendly vineyard not only serves a selection of award winning wines, but it also provides gorgeous scenery, hiking trails to nearby Carter Falls, and lodging at its sister property, Klondike Cabins.
Grassy Creek’s tasting room is open from Thursday to Monday and frequently features live local music. During our visit, we savored a scrumptious craft cheese and crackers while sipping Riesling while listening to music on the lawn. It was magnificent. LEARN MORE
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
235 Chatham Cottage Circle
State Road, NC 28676
9. South Creek Vineyards & Winery - Nebo
World class Bordeaux-style wines served in a cozy century plus aged Italian Renaissance Farmhouse. That’s what you’ll find at South Creek Vineyards & Winery in the tiny town of Nebo. Just 45-minutes from Asheville, 30-minutes from Hickory, and an hour and a half from Charlotte, South Creek is at Exit 94 off of I-40 and the closest winery to Lake James.
In addition to the Bordeaux style wines, guests are invited to enjoy the surroundings. From the beautiful red barn, old farm house, vineyards, and horses grazing nearby, the space beckons visitors to sit back and relax.
They are normally open Wednesday through Sunday and have a food truck, Feast Eats, on site until October. Check ahead of time to confirm hours, since they do take a winter break in January. LEARN MORE
South Creek Vineyards and Winery
2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC 28761
828-652-5729
10. Shelton Vineyards - Dobson
Shelton is a popular location in the Yadkin Valley and one of the largest wineries on the East Coast. Visitors can not only sample their award-winning wines, but there are also guided tours available Monday through Saturday at 12:00, 2:00, and 4:00 pm. Guests can get an overview of the 33,000-square-foot winery, vines, and wine-making process, as well as sample wine.
This grand winery has a large tasting room, wine shop, event space, and is pet-friendly. During our visit, we sipped a great Cab Franc while sitting on the lawn, listening to live music, and watching the sun dip behind the foothills. We ended the day checking into the Hampton Inn & Suites at Shelton Vineyards which couldn’t have been more convenient. LEARN MORE
Shelton Vineyards
286 Cabernet Lane
Dobson, NC 27017
11. Biltmore Estate Winery - Asheville
Biltmore Winery located in Asheville, boasts of being the most-visited winery in the country. As a result, this is a busy winery and not exactly the ideal place for a quiet tasting. That being said, they manage to do an excellent job of giving guests plenty of time to enjoy tasting the wines, while keeping the crowd moving.
Wine tastings are included with the admission into the estate and the wine hosts are happy to treat guests to samples of their award-winning vintages. Moreover, once you’ve completed the tasting, you can take advantage of shopping in the ultimate wine store, The Biltmore Winery Shop. They have everything you could possible want from their signature wines to gourmet foods to wine accessories and more. Or, visit their indoor/outdoor wine bar for a glass of wine with their charcuterie.
Although this is not a cozy intimate winery, Biltmore Estate Winery is stunning and the setting is spectacular. If you plan on visiting the Biltmore House and the vineyard on the same day, allow at least two hours for the house tour. Then make time to have a glass of wine. LEARN MORE
Biltmore Estate Winery
One Lodge Street
Asheville, NC 28803
800.411.3812
12. Stony Knoll Vineyards - Dobson
Stony Knoll Vineyards in Dobson is a family-run winery in the Yadkin Valley. This charming winery produces superb wines using the grapes they grow in their vineyards. Located on a family farm that began in the 19th century, in the late 1990s, a new cultivation became the driving force for keeping the farm alive and thriving. Enter grapevines and wine-making.
Today, this pleasing vineyard is an important stop on the Surry County Wine Trail, where guests enjoy sampling wines while gazing at the breath taking views. Stop in and try a flight at this friendly winery steeped in farm history. They’re open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. LEARN MORE
Stony Knoll Vineyards
1143 Stony Knoll Road
Dobson, NC 27017
13. Haze Gray Vineyards- Dobson
Another delightful stop on the Surry County Wine Trail is Haze Gray Vineyards in Dobson. Dean and Becky Muhlenberg redesigned what was formerly an 85-acre tobacco and cornfield to create what is today, Haze Gray Vineyards, a thriving vineyard, winery, and tasting room with breathtaking vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Muhlenberg family has a deep military history, which runs through every aspect of Haze Gray. From the tasting room walls to the wine names to the name Haze Gray, which is the color of US Navy ships, this winery pays tribute to America’s military. In fact, Haze Gray is a Homegrown by Heroes certified farm.
Stop in for a tasting or a flight, they’re open Thursday through Sunday, check their website for hours. We had a flight on the porch while admiring the stunning view of the vineyards, with the Blue Ridge Mountains’ foothills peaking over the trees as a backdrop. LEARN MORE
Haze Gray Vineyards
761 Stony Knoll Road
Dobson, NC 27017
14. Grove Vineyards & Winery - Gibsonville
“A World of Flavor Grown Around the Corner, ” that’s the motto at Grove Vineyards & Winery in Gibsonville. The vineyards and winery located a short distance from the Greensboro city limits, is home to a thriving winery in the Haw River Valley AVA. Known for crafting exceptional European-style wines, this is a charming winery that produces 3000-5000 cases of premium wine each year.
Grove’s tasting room is open daily from noon to six o’clock and the offer a full calendar of events and entertainment on their popular Wine & Song Concert series. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information, and keep in mind that they have winter hours from January to March. LEARN MORE
Grove Vineyards & Winery
7360 Brooks Bridge Rd
Gibsonville NC 27249
15. Old North State - Mount Airy
Mount Airy born and raised vintner Ben Webb founded Old North State Winery in 2002. The laid-back winery on Main Street is part of the Yadkin Valley Wine Region and is housed in a former hardware store. This thriving winery offers a pleasant ambiance that combines wine-tasting tours with excellent food and entertainment.
ONS is open five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday, and customers can dine on locally grown and freshly cooked dishes provided by world-renowned chef Chris Wishart.
Winemaker Webb crafts delicious wines using grapes from vines grown on his properties. The wine list includes popular dry and semi-dry as well as sweet and semi-sweet wines. Additionally, Old North State also features their exclusive outdoor lifestyle-inspired wines called Fish Hippie.
Old North State Winery
308 North Main Street
Mount Airy, NC (336) 789-9463
16. Round Peak Vineyards - Mount Airy
Just outside of downtown Mount Airy sitting on a lush green hilltop is Round Peak Vineyards. Their website puts it aptly, People, Place, Wines, Events, Shop, Cabins, Disc Golf, Weddings, and Private Events. Everything you’d want in a visit to a winery.
We happened upon Round Peak on a crisp October day and couldn’t have been happier with our choice. The views are spectacular and the relaxed atmosphere made it a soothing visit. Adding to the beauty, at Round Peak our pug Lenny was welcomed. There’s even a special area set aside for visiting pets to socialize.
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the team at Round Peak grows 11 different varietals of grapes. Likewise, they hand-pick all twelve acres and only use estate grapes for their award-winning wines. This popular spot in the Yadkin Valley makes a wonderful stand-alone destination or a fantastic stop on a wine trail journey. They are open seven days a week, but you’ll want to visit their website for hours of operation. READ MORE
Round Peak Vineyards
765 Round Peak Church Rd
Mount Airy, NC 27030
More North Carolina Wineries to Explore
I’m a wine nerd and thoroughly enjoy visiting wineries to learn about the wine-maker, the grapes, and all that goes into creating delicious wines that are evocative of place. Visiting or living in North Carolina makes adding a wine-related itinerary item simple.
It’s possible to find a beautiful North Carolina vineyard no matter where you are in the state. Whether it’s the mountains, the coast, or the Piedmont, North Carolina’s wine growers are producing some incredible wines, and it’s easy to spend a day, a weekend, or more exploring vineyards, traveling wine trails, relaxing, sipping wine, and soaking in the ambiance.
With over 200 wineries and 400 vineyards, there is no shortage of places to experience North Carolina wine. So be sure to say Cheers! to North Carolina wineries when planning your next getaway!
Do you have a favorite North Carolina winery that isn’t on this list? Let me know in the comments!
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The wine world is taking notice of North Carolina wine. Join PullOverandLetMeOut as we explore 16 incredible wineries in the Tar Heel State that you won't want to miss.
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2 thoughts on “16 Sensational North Carolina Wineries”
I appreciate you showcasing 16 wineries in North Carolina! Which particular wineries, in your opinion, stand out for their distinctive products or stunning surroundings?
Any of the ones listed in the story are lovely! There are several more I want to visit and new ones popping up all the time too. If you visit one, let me know I’d love to hear about it. Cheers!