North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley is a burgeoning up-and-coming wine destination. Located in the Piedmont and foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the region’s rich soil and mild climate create ideal conditions for growing grapes and producing delicious wines. Steeped in viticultural heritage put on hold during Prohibition, this expanding AVA is gaining notoriety while attracting visitors worldwide. As if this were not enough, one Yadkin Valley winery is not only attracting visitors with its wines, but also welcoming guests to meet its unique four-legged residents. Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, North Carolina, invites guests to spend time sipping wine while enjoying the company of llamas!
Discovering Divine Llama Vineyards
Divine Llama Vineyards was founded in 2007 on 91 scenic acres. It’s known for its award-winning wines and for being home to the largest llama farm in the Southeast. The winery has as its mission, “to produce excellent wine and offer a unique and personal experience to our visitors.”
A visit to Divine Llama Vineyards had been on my North Carolina wine wish list for a couple of years. Thus, when a travel story brought me back to the Yadkin Valley, I made it a point to include this delightfully quirky winery in the itinerary.
Divine Llama Vineyards Tasting Room
We arrive at Divine Llama shortly after 1 pm on a sunny spring Sunday and immediately immerse ourselves in our surroundings. We begin our visit with a stop at the tasting room. Its warm, casual décor is welcoming and embellished with, you guessed it, llama-themed accents.
Making our way to the bar area, we’re greeted by a friendly dog and a cheerful employee who shares the wine list with us. The list of choices is extensive, but fortunately for us, they have a wine “key” describing each one.
The tasting room isn’t just for sipping—you’ll also find a delightful gift shop with local finds and Divine Llama merchandise. And of course, you can pick up your favorite wine to take with you.
The Wines
Rows and rows of grapevines dot the landscape at Divine Llama Vineyards. According to their website, the vineyard grows four types of grapes: Merlot, Cabernet, Chardonel, and Traminette, all well-suited to the landscape and climate of the area. They pour eleven different wines, including five dry reds and whites, a couple of semi-dry options, a sweeter white and rosé, plus a semi-sweet white with a touch of peach and a semi-sweet red blended with blackberry.
Sample a flight, sip a glass, or share a bottle—it’s up to you. Just keep in mind, their wines are only sold at the winery or online, so grab a bottle of your favorite before you go.
Jason and I select a crisp Pinot Grigio. Since we plan to explore and visit the llamas, we’re given plastic cups and a cork so we can travel with our beverage.
Divine Llama Vineyards isn't just a charming stop—it's part of the Yadkin Valley AVA, North Carolina’s first federally designated wine region. With nearly 50 wineries spread across the valley, including 18 along the nearby Surry County Wine Trail, you can easily turn your visit into a full day (or weekend) of sipping and exploring. Start with a tasting flight at Divine Llama, then venture out to discover more of the region’s award-winning wines.
The Llamas
The Divine Llama Vineyards website jokingly admits that the llamas don’t make the wine. However, I contend that the llamas do make the wine experience magical! These beautiful animals are a highlight of any visit.
With wine in hand, Jason and I walk to the barn where several of the llamas are in the yard sunning themselves. Moving on, we visit a field where a number are happily munching on grass. Clearly accustomed to having looky-loos gazing upon them, they are completely unfazed by our presence. We stroll the grounds, enjoying our wine, the llamas, and taking in the amazing views of Pilot Mountain in the background.
For an enhanced llama experience, they offer llama trekking. Llama treks are a fun and memorable way to enjoy the great outdoors. These gentle, trail-friendly animals make surprisingly charming hiking buddies. The two-mile walk winds over a couple of hills and follows Miller Creek, with a mid-hike break that’s perfect for photos and llama treat time. Treks start and finish near the tasting room—because what better way to end a hike than with a glass of wine? It’s $50 per person, takes about two hours, and is offered most Saturdays and Sundays in spring, fall, and winter (with a few Fridays in the mix, too). Guests who are ages 10 and up can enjoy a trek, and reservations are required.
Great Location, Setting, and Atmosphere
Divine Llama Vineyards is a relaxing retreat in the heart of the Yadkin Valley. Slightly off the beaten path in East Bend, it offers guests the chance to truly unwind and escape to the great outdoors.
After visiting with the llamas, we journey back to the tasting room and relax on one of the outdoor sofas. Drinking in the tasty pinot gris and warm rays from the sun— is sublime.
In addition to the cozy tasting room, there’s plenty of outdoor seating around the deck, a rotating lineup of food trucks, and leashed dogs are welcome around the tasting room and deck area. However, for the safety of the llamas, pets aren’t allowed near them.
Planning Your Visit to Divine Llama Vineyards
If you’re planning a trip to the Yadkin Valley Wine Region and want to include a visit to Divine Llama Vineyards, it’s a good idea to allow plenty of time for sampling wine and meeting the llamas. The winery is open year-round, Thursday – Saturday 12-6 and on Sundays 1 – 6.
Because the winery is open year-round, choosing the perfect season for a visit is a challenge. Each season has its special characteristics: spring brings early buds on the vines and milder temps, summer means warm days and cool sipping on the deck, fall lights up with autumnal colors, and winter is a delight for cozy sipping indoors.
Regardless of the time of year, you will want to be sure to have proper walking shoes for visiting with the llamas. Additionally, if you want to trek with the llamas, be sure to make reservations online in advance. This is a popular activity and sessions book quickly!
Along with the rotation of food trucks, there are picnic tables available should you choose to bring your own food.
If you’re planning to stay in the area, you’ll find plenty of lodging options. From charming bed and breakfast inns just minutes from the winery to familiar hotel chains a bit farther out in towns like Mount Airy and Winston-Salem, choices abound. We stayed at Riversong Cabin Rentals in Elkin, North Carolina, approximately forty minutes northwest of Divine Llama, and enjoyed a wonderful cabin adventure. You can read more HERE.
Parting Thoughts
I am delighted that I was finally able to check a visit to Divine Llama Vineyards off my Yadkin Valley wine wish list. Likewise, I’m pleased that what I discovered met and exceeded expectations. The scenery, the animals, and naturally the wine, are all exceptional.
Our visit was on an early spring Sunday afternoon, which turned into a delightful wrap-up to our weekend escape. If there is one thing I would do differently, it would be to sign up in advance for the llama trekking. Watching the guided tour group head out, I couldn’t help but feel a little left out. Looks like I’ve got a good excuse to come back!
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