There is a tiny but thriving wine industry in North Carolina.
For the wine connoisseur, there are many choices in the state, with more than 200 wineries.
Here are our personal favorites for North Carolina’s top wineries.
1. Biltmore Estate Winery
The Biltmore Estate Winery, which is situated in Asheville, is a massive mansion that George Vanderbilt constructed in the late 1800s.
The winery is renowned for its beautiful scenery and award-winning wines.
Visitors can take winery tours, sample wines, and browse the gift store and wine bar on the property.
Wines made by the Biltmore Estate Winery include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and effervescent beverages.
2. Shelton Vineyards
You can find this amazing vineyard in Dobson, Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina.
The winery was founded in 1999 by brothers Charlie and Ed Shelton, who wanted to bring European-style winemaking to North Carolina.
Today, Shelton Vineyards produces a wide range of wines, including Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
The winery offers tours, tastings, and a variety of events throughout the year.
Shelton Vineyards also has a restaurant on the property, the Harvest Grill, which offers farm-to-table cuisine and stunning views of the surrounding vineyards.
3. Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery
Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery is located in Ronda, North Carolina, in the heart of the Yadkin Valley wine region.
The winery is known for its Italian-style wines, including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Vermentino.
Travelers to Raffaldini can take a guided tour of the vineyards and winery, taste the wines, and enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
The winery also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including wine tastings, food, wine pairings, and live music which is a can not miss!
4. Childress Vineyards
Childress Vineyards is located in a little place called Lexington, North Carolina, and was founded by NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.
Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon are just a few of the award-winning wines produced by the winery.
Childress Vineyards offers guided tours of the vineyard, wine tastings, and dining at The Bistro, a restaurant located on the property.
The winery also holds numerous activities all year long, such as live music performances, cooking classes, and wine tastings. Furthermore, Childress Vineyards has a gift store where guests can buy liquor, clothing, and other goods.
5. Hanover Park Vineyard
The Old World-style wines produced by the Yadkinville, North Carolina-based Hanover Park Vineyard are created from Italian and French grape varieties.
Sangiovese, Mourvèdre, Viognier, and other grape types are planted in the winery’s vineyards, which are used to make a variety of red, white, and rosé wines.
Hanover Park offers wine tastings, farm and winery tours, and relaxing patio space for guests.
Throughout the year, Hanover Park also holds several events, such as festivals, live music performances, and wine dinners.
6. Duplin Winery
The Duplin Winery is a well-known producer of delicious Muscadine wines and is located in Rose Hill, North Carolina.
The Fussell family established the winery in the 1970s, and it is still run and owned by them.
The Muscadine wines produced by Duplin Winery include red, white, and blush types in addition to specialty and fruit-infused wines.
Travelers to Duplin can take a tour of the vineyard, partake in a wine sampling, and explore the gift shop, which stocks a selection of trinkets and mementos related to wine.
Additionally, the winery holds numerous activities all year long, such as live music performances and wine tastings. Duplin also has a bistro on the premises where lunch and dinner are served.
7. Banner Elk Winery and Villa
In the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, there is a remarkable vineyard called the Banner Elk Winery and Villa.
Guests to this winery can enjoy tours of the vineyards and winemaking facilities in addition to tasting several wines made from grapes produced nearby.
One of the standout features of the Banner Elk Winery and Villa is the on-site villa, which offers luxurious accommodations for visitors who want to stay overnight.
Elegant rooms with private balconies that face out over the vineyards are available at the estate. Each morning, a gourmet breakfast is also provided.
The Banner Elk Winery and Villa also holds a variety of special events throughout the year, including live music performances, wine dinners, and vineyard tours.
and seasonal celebrations.
8. RayLen Vineyards and Winery
RayLen Vineyards and Winery is located in Mocksville, North Carolina, and is known for its estate-grown wines, including Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc.
The winery is set on a 35-acre estate and features a tasting room, a covered patio, and a picnic area.
Travelers to RayLen can enjoy wine tasting, tour the vineyards and wineries, and relax in the beautiful countryside setting.
The winery also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including wine tastings, food, wine pairings, and live music.
RayLen’s wines are distributed throughout North Carolina and are also available for purchase online.
9. Jones von Drehle Vineyards & Winery
Jones von Drehle Vineyards & Winery is located in Thurmond, North Carolina, and produces a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and a sparkling wine made using the traditional méthode champenoise.
The winery is situated on a picturesque 65-acre estate and features a tasting room, a covered patio, and a terrace with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Wine tastings, vineyard and estate tours, and information on the wine-making process are all available to guests at Jones von Drehle.
The winery also holds several activities all throughout the year, such as live music performances, wine tastings, and food and wine pairings.
10. Round Peak Vineyards
The Yadkin Valley area of North Carolina is home to the family-owned vineyard known as Round Peak Vineyards.
This winery provides a broad selection of wines, including classic European varietals and more avant-garde blends made from grapes grown nearby.
Round Peak Vineyards provides visitors with the chance to explore the vineyards and winemaking facilities in addition to wine tastings. Visitors can also go to special events including live music shows and dinners with wine and food pairings.
The on-site tasting room at Round Peak Vineyards, which is located in a dairy barn from the 1930s, is one of the vineyard’s unique attributes.
Travelers can taste a variety of wines in the tasting room while taking in views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. It has a warm, rustic atmosphere.
Round Peak Vineyards is a must-visit location for anyone interested in learning more about North Carolina’s vibrant and exciting wine industry.
Round Peak Vineyards has something to offer everyone, whether you’re a seasoned wine expert or just curious to learn more about this fascinating and constantly changing industry.
Wine production in North Carolina
Winemaking in North Carolina has a long past, going all the way back to the 17th century when European settlers first started setting up vineyards there.
Today, North Carolina has over 200 vineyards and is the tenth-largest producer of wine in the nation.
Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah are just a few of the many grape varieties that can be grown in the state due to its temperature and geography.
With more people traveling to the state’s wine regions to taste the local wines and new wineries opening up regularly, the North Carolina wine industry has seen significant growth in recent years.
The Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek, and Haw River Valley are a few of North Carolina’s most well-known wine locations, each with its own unique wine styles.
Wine Tourism in North Carolina
With its picturesque vineyards, rolling hills, and charming small towns, North Carolina is a popular destination for wine tourism.
Visitors can explore the state’s many wineries and tasting rooms, attend wine festivals and events, and take part in guided tours of the region’s top vineyards and wineries.
Many North Carolina wineries offer tastings and tours throughout the year, with some also offering on-site accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities.
Popular activities for visitors include vineyard tours, wine tastings, and food and wine pairing events.
In addition to wine, many North Carolina wineries also offer a range of local cheeses, meats, and other culinary specialties, making for a delicious and memorable experience for travelers.
Wine and Food Pairing
What is wine and food pairing? It is the practice of pairing various wine varieties with complementary meals to bring out the flavors of both the wine and the food.
Many wineries in North Carolina offer wine and food pairing experiences, which allow visitors to taste a variety of wines alongside carefully selected food pairings.
These experiences typically involve a guided tasting led by a knowledgeable wine professional who can offer insights into the different flavor profiles of the wines and how they complement different types of food.
Some wineries offer pre-set tasting menus, while others allow visitors to create their own pairings by selecting wines and food items from a menu.
Wine and food pairing experiences are a great way to learn more about the art of wine tasting and how to appreciate the complex flavors and aromas of different types of wines.
They are also a fun and delicious way to spend an afternoon or evening with friends and family.
Wine and food pairing is a perfect date night if you are trying to impress that special someone.
Wine Events and Festivals
North Carolina is home to a thriving wine industry, and there are many wine events and festivals held throughout the year to celebrate the region’s winemakers and their creations.
Guests to these events have the opportunity to sample a broad range of wines from various wineries while also enjoying live entertainment, food, and other activities.
The North Carolina Wine Festival, which takes place in May each year and features over 30 wineries from the state, and the Yadkin Valley Grape Festival, which honors the harvest season with wine tastings, grape stomping, and other enjoyable activities, are two of the most well-known wine events in North Carolina.
Other wine events and festivals in North Carolina include the Asheville Wine and Food Festival, which brings together some of the area’s top chefs and winemakers for a weekend of culinary and wine-focused events, and the Biltmore International Rose Trials, which displays the newest rose varieties from around the world.
Best wineries in North Carolina Summary
If you’re a wine enthusiast and want to taste the best of what North Carolina has to offer, then this is your guide!
Taking a weekend adventure? Then these wineries are the perfect place to go.
They all have different types of wine and scenery that will leave you wanting more.
Winery’s even work great for a romantic getaway!
I hope you enjoyed reading this post on the best wineries in North Carolina!
