Looking for the best wineries in North Carolina? Start with the kind of day you want to have. A mountain weekend with hiking and live music, a tasting paired with lunch, and a stop on the way to the coast are three very different trips—and there are options for each.
We like a winery visit that gives us time to enjoy the place, ask questions, and spend time together. Our travels and tastings around North Carolina have given us plenty of reasons to keep exploring, including our recent weekend in the Appalachian High Country.
This guide groups wineries by region so you can choose a few stops that make sense together. Think of it as a starting point for your own wine-country day or weekend, with links to each winery’s current visitor information.
| Area | Wineries in this guide | Trip idea |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian High Country | Grandfather, Banner Elk, Mill Camp, Linville Falls | Mountain lodging, scenic drives, and wine/cider stops |
| Asheville and surrounding mountains | Biltmore, Silver Fork | An estate visit or a Morganton afternoon |
| Hendersonville and Flat Rock area | Burntshirt, Marked Tree, Point Lookout | Wine, mountain scenery, and time in town |
| Yadkin Valley and nearby Piedmont | Shelton, Jones von Drehle, Raffaldini, Rayson, Childress | Choose a cluster of stops and book tastings |
| Eastern North Carolina and the coast | Hinnant, Duplin, Sanctuary | A local outing or a stop during a coastal trip |
| Charlotte area | Treehouse Vineyards | A Monroe day trip or separately booked treehouse stay |
These are travel-planning groups, not official wine-region boundaries. NC Wine has producer listings and wine-trail information to help you explore further.
Appalachian High Country Wineries
If Yadkin Valley is the first place you associate with North Carolina wine country, give the Appalachian High Country Wineries a look, too. Our recent trip connected vineyards, cideries, mountain towns, and Blue Ridge Parkway travel over three days.
We stayed at an Airbnb in Banner Elk, close to hiking and most of our vineyard stops. It worked especially well when we decided to return to a favorite winery for music the next day.
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery — Banner Elk
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery sits along the Watauga River, with a terraced mountain vineyard as part of its setting.
We met winemaker Will during our visit and learned more about making wine in the mountains. We enjoyed the place enough to return the following day for wine and music in the vineyard. Because it was close to our cabin, that second visit was easy to work into the weekend.
Why we’d include it: Time together by the river, a vineyard setting, and the opportunity to plan around live music. Check the current events calendar before choosing your date.
Banner Elk Winery & Villa — Banner Elk
Our tasting at Banner Elk Winery & Villa included a memorable blueberry wine. NC Wine identifies it as a wine made with estate-grown berries.
The villa is another option to research when choosing lodging, although we stayed at our Airbnb and aren’t reviewing an overnight stay there.
Why we’d include it: A Banner Elk tasting stop with blueberry wine among its offerings. Ask what’s on the current tasting menu when you visit.
Mill Camp Wines & Ciders — Boone area
At Mill Camp Wines & Ciders, we met owner and cidermaker Mark Jolley. Our conversation covered local apples, farming, and plans for the property.
We also related to the family’s story of leaving business careers to pursue a different lifestyle in the mountains. Having made a big life change ourselves, those conversations are often what we remember most.
Why we’d include it: Wine and cider in one stop, plus a rural setting near Boone. It adds variety when you’re planning a trip for people with different drink preferences.
Linville Falls Winery — Linville Falls
Linville Falls Winery is a family-owned vineyard and winery in the Appalachian High Country. Its location near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Linville Falls area makes it worth considering for a mountain itinerary.
The winery offers tasting and tour experiences, with current booking information on its website.
Why we’d include it: A winery stop you can plan alongside nearby outdoor time. Check trail access and winery availability separately before setting your schedule.
Add Cider and Beer to Your High Country Weekend
Two other stops from our trip deserve a mention: Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Molley Chomper Cider in Lansing.
We met Tim at Molley Chomper, learned about apples and growers, and tasted cider straight from the tank during our hosted visit. These stops broadened our experience of the region. Check with the venues about experiences available to regular visitors; a campaign visit may include access that isn’t part of a standard tasting.
Wineries in Asheville and The Surrounding Mountains
Biltmore Winery — Asheville
Biltmore Winery is part of the Biltmore Estate experience, located in Antler Hill Village. It makes sense when you want to combine wine tasting with exploring the estate.
Important planning detail: Winery access requires an eligible estate admission ticket, an annual pass, or a stay at an estate overnight property. The complimentary tasting is tied to that access; it isn’t a free standalone stop you can enter from outside the estate.
Why we’d include it: An estate day with a winery visit built in. Check current ticket options and specialty wine experiences before booking.
Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery — Morganton
Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery has a vineyard and tasting room in Morganton. Its current wine listings include Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, and blends.
The event calendar also includes live music and some food-truck dates, so it’s worth checking what’s scheduled for your visit.
Why we’d include it: A Morganton wine stop with the option to plan around music. Allow time to enjoy the setting rather than treating it as a quick errand.
Wineries near Hendersonville and Flat Rock
For a fuller trip around these stops, see our things to do in Hendersonville guide.
Burntshirt Vineyards — Hendersonville
Burntshirt Vineyards offers a Hendersonville vineyard, tasting room, and dining options. Visit its current locations page to plan the experience you want.
The business also lists a Chimney Rock tasting room and bistro, but its website contains a separate Helene-related closure notice. Confirm the Chimney Rock location’s operating status directly before traveling there.
Why we’d include it: A Hendersonville winery visit that can include a meal. Book and plan for the specific location rather than assuming all locations have the same availability.
Marked Tree Vineyard — Flat Rock
Marked Tree Vineyard is in Flat Rock, near Hendersonville. The business also advertises an Asheville tasting location; choose the vineyard if your priority is the vineyard setting.
Its website provides reservation information and calendars for the different locations.
Why we’d include it: A Flat Rock stop to work into a Henderson County mountain trip. Check which location an event or reservation applies to before booking.
Point Lookout Vineyards — Hendersonville area
Point Lookout Vineyards combines a mountain-view setting with wine and mead offerings. Mead adds another tasting option if you want to try something beyond grape wine.
Why we’d include it: Mountain scenery and a varied tasting selection. Check the event calendar when planning, particularly if you prefer a quieter visit.
Yadkin Valley wineries and nearby Piedmont stops
Choose a manageable cluster of wineries rather than trying to visit every name on this list in one day. Your tasting reservations and transportation plans should shape the route.
Shelton Vineyards — Dobson
Shelton Vineyards is a Yadkin Valley winery in Dobson with several tasting experiences to choose from.
Some specialty tastings require advance reservations. Read the description of the experience you’re booking so you know what it includes and how much time to allow.
Why we’d include it: A winery visit with a choice of tasting formats. Choose the experience that fits your interest and schedule.
Jones von Drehle Vineyards & Winery — Thurmond
Jones von Drehle produces estate-grown wines in Thurmond, with a tasting room and patio overlooking its vines.
The winery recommends reservations, although walk-ins may be accommodated when space permits.
Why we’d include it: An estate-wine tasting with a vineyard setting. It’s a useful stop to research when planning around the Blue Ridge foothills.
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery — Ronda
Raffaldini Vineyards focuses on Italian grape varieties and dry wines. Its vineyard plantings include Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Sagrantino, and Vermentino.
That gives this stop a distinct focus when you’re comparing North Carolina wineries.
Why we’d include it: Italian-style wine in the Blue Ridge foothills. Check its reservation and visitor policies before heading out.
Rayson Winery & Vineyards — Mocksville, formerly RayLen
If you remember RayLen from an earlier version of our guide, here’s an important update: the property now operates as Rayson Winery & Vineyards.
We previously enjoyed RayLen wine at a wine shop in Wake Forest. That experience was with the former brand, so we aren’t presenting it as a review of the current Rayson tasting experience.
Rayson offers wine tasting and dining at Bistro Europa. Its website identifies it as a 21-and-over establishment and recommends reservations.
Why we’d include it: A current option to research for wine and dining in Mocksville, with the name change clearly noted for returning readers.
Childress Vineyards — Lexington
Childress Vineyards is a Lexington winery with tasting, tour, and dining information on its website.
We visited in the past, and its pet policy was a drawback for us when traveling with our dog. The current website still states that pets aren’t allowed, so choose another stop if you’re planning to bring a pet.
Why we’d include it: A winery visit with on-site dining options. Check available tours, dining reservations, and visitor policies before going.
Wineries in eastern North Carolina and near the coast
Hinnant Family Vineyards — Pine Level
Hinnant Family Vineyards is a Pine Level stop to consider when planning a Johnston County outing or traveling through eastern North Carolina.
Its website has information about wines and tours. Use the current offerings to choose a tasting rather than relying on an old bottle recommendation that may have changed.
Why we’d include it: A vineyard option in eastern North Carolina. Check visitor arrangements before building it into your route.
Duplin Winery — Rose Hill
Duplin Winery belongs on your shortlist if you enjoy sweeter wines. Its lineup includes muscadine wines, and the Rose Hill location offers tasting and dining information online.
Shannon’s dad is a Duplin fan, and sweet wine is his preference. That’s a useful reminder that the best winery for your trip depends on what you actually enjoy drinking.
Why we’d include it: Sweet-wine options and a Rose Hill outing. Make sure you’re reviewing the North Carolina location when booking; Duplin also operates outside the state.
Sanctuary Vineyards — Jarvisburg
Sanctuary Vineyards is in Jarvisburg on the mainland near the Outer Banks. It’s worth considering when planning a coastal trip that includes a winery visit.
The official site lists wines, visitor experiences, and ways to explore the vineyard.
Why we’d include it: A wine stop near an Outer Banks route. Map it from your lodging so you know the actual drive, rather than assuming it’s next to your beach rental.
A Winery Near Charlotte With Treehouse Rentals
Treehouse Vineyards — Monroe
Treehouse Vineyards offers wine tasting and separately booked treehouse rentals in Monroe.
The treehouses are part of what makes the property distinctive, but a regular wine tasting doesn’t automatically take place up in a treehouse. Review the rental options and tasting information separately if that’s the experience you want.
Why we’d include it: A Monroe winery outing with the option to research a treehouse experience. Confirm the specific rental’s availability and arrangements before booking.
How to Plan a North Carolina Winery Trip
- Pick one area. These wineries span the state. Start with your destination, then choose nearby stops.
- Arrange transportation before tasting. Plan a designated driver or book transportation in advance.
- Read current visitor information. Check hours, reservations, age restrictions, pet rules, and outside-food policies for every stop.
- Allow time between bookings. Tastings, lunch, and mountain drives can take longer than you expect.
- Check food availability. A restaurant or food truck may operate on a different schedule from the tasting room. Vegetarian and pescatarian travelers should review menus before arriving.
- Leave room for the rest of the trip. A walk, a town visit, or an afternoon of music can make the day just as memorable as the wine.
If you’re making it a mountain weekend, start with our North Carolina mountain lodging guide and choose a base that fits your route.
Choose a Winery Weekend That Fits You
For us, a good wine-country trip includes time to enjoy where we are and who we’re with. Sometimes that means learning about the apples behind a cider. Sometimes it means returning the next day because there’s music and we liked the place that much.
Choose a region, pick a few stops, and leave room for those moments. North Carolina gives you plenty of ways to make the trip your own.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Many NC wineries offer guided tours, adding an extra dash of fun to your visit. Be sure to check with each winery for their specific tour hours.
Yes! Whether it’s the bloom of spring, the warmth of summer, the colors of fall, or the cozy winter vibes, these wineries keep pouring. We always recommend checking before making your big trip as many could close for events.
Many of them have food trucks or on-site restaurants, turning your wine-tasting escapades into a full-on culinary adventure. Check each website for the full event schedule so you know how to plan your nosh with your wine.
