Forget what you’ve heard about California wine country and get ready to learn everything about NC wine country! There are about 200 wineries in North Carolina, each with something unique to offer.
Though each one is created differently. If you are looking for a relaxing day out with friends and family, we’re breaking down the best North Carolina wineries for you.
About North Carolina Wineries and Wine
A vineyard is where the grapes are grown, and a winery is where the wine is produced and it might surprise you there are so many in North Carolina wineries to choose from. This state is the place where every major type of grape is grown. It’s also home to America’s first grape, as it was the birthplace of the scuppernong.
Interestingly, before the prohibition, North Carolina was the largest wine producer in the country. Yadkin Valley is the Napa Valley of the East Coast and there are actually five AVAs throughout the Tarheel State. This refers to American Viticultural Areas, where each area has a distinct climate and soil type for growing different grapes.
The grapes here are grown at a wide range of elevations as well, as the landscape ranges from mountainous to coastal. Each NC winery has its own stunning setting, array of varietals, and special Carolina character. Let’s dig into some of the best NC wineries the state has to offer.
The Best Wineries in North Carolina
Raffaldini Vineyards
- Address: 450 Groce Rd, Ronda
- Area: Mountains
- Website
Tucked away near the Yadkin River, Raffaldini rests on 102 acres of pastoral paradise and is one of those perfect NC wineries. This winery near Wilkesboro, a small mountain town, makes classic Italian dry wines using the Appassimento method.
This is a traditional process of using dehydrated grapes to produce wines. It’s a difficult method but they are truly top-notch at it. Here, you will find that the reds are bold and the whites delicate.
You can go for a guided tour of the vineyard or a tasting before perusing their gourmet deli counter for the perfect pairings with their Sangiovese Classico or Vermentino.
The Tuscan Villa is transportive, surrounded by Italian herbs and ravishing roses, interspersed with fig and olive trees, all drenched with Carolina sunshine. It’s a favorite in the state, and easily one of the best North Carolina wineries for any type of visitor.
Overmountain Vineyards
- Address: 2012 Sandy Plains Rd, Tryon
- Area: Mountains
- Website
Located in Tryon, Overmountain is family-owned, offering wonderful estate wines from over 70 acres of vineyard. They grow French vinifera, resulting in charismatic Cabernets and Merlots.
Their methods to develop these distinctive, handcrafted styles of wine are innovative, to say the least. Sipping wine on their porch and taking in the sweeping scenery of majestic mountains is a uniquely restorative experience.
Delve into the history of the Overmountain men with a tasting and tour through the lush vineyards. The tasting room is a quaint cottage overlooking the foothills. If you can’t bring yourself to leave this serene setting, we don’t blame you – stay overnight in the luxury villas on site.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery
- Address: 170 Heritage Vines Way, Elkin
- Area: Yadkin Valley
- Website
Carolina Heritage stands as North Carolina’s pioneering Certified Organic Vineyard and Winery. Poudly presenting a diverse selection of acclaimed vegan-friendly wines, spanning from exquisite dry to delightful sweet varieties their wines are crafted from a harmonious blend of hybrid and native grapes.
Nestled atop the gentle slope overlooking the Burch Station, Carolina Heritage welcomes visitors to embark on a leisurely canoe or kayak adventure originating from Crater Park in Elkin.
Carolina Heritage also sits right on the Mountain-to-Sea Trail, NC’s state hiking trail, that stretches 1175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. If you’ve been hiking all day and in the mood for a glass with a view, Carolina Heritage is worth the stop!
Thistle Meadow Winery
- Address: 102 Thistle Meadow, Laurel Springs
- Area: Yadkin Valley
- Website
Emerging from a thriving winemaking supply enterprise, this family-operated NC winery is conveniently situated a mere two miles from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
Their extensive wine selection encompasses diverse offerings, spanning the spectrum from sweet to dry, and embracing an assortment of reds, whites, and blushes. With such a wide range, you’re bound to discover a wine that perfectly complements your palate.
During tours, guests are treated to tastings featuring wines crafted from grapes cultivated across the globe.
Childress Vineyards
- Address: 1000 Childress Vineyards Rd, Lexington
- Area: Piedmont
- Website
Beloved in the small NC town of Lexington, Childress has an award-winning reputation among the North Carolina wineries.
With 30 different varietals, there is something for every preference and pallet. With 15 types of European Vitis vinifera cultivars, the humid climate and red clay soil create their wines’ distinctive and delectable flavor profiles.
There are three different flights to choose from for the tasting, each more enchanting than the next. They have a full-service restaurant in-house, Bistro.
Don’t let the former NASCAR fame of the owner Richard Childress fool you – this is a truly luxe experience. They have many accolades under their belt to prove it.
Biltmore Estate Winery
- Address: 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC
- Area: Mountains
- Website
This iconic Asheville estate boasts an impressive NC winery as well and is one of the best things to do in Asheville. Asheville is all known for its breweries, but you can also have amazing wine here too.
It’s in the heart of Antler Hill Village on the Vanderbilt grounds. They serve an array of reds, whites, and roses, and they offer a behind-the-scenes tour and tasting, as well as a chocolate and red wine tasting that is to die for. The on-site sommelier will take you through the impeccable selection of vintages.
The deftly designed indoor and outdoor space provides gourmet charcuterie to pair with your pick. There’s plenty to discover at the Biltmore including the largest private home in the country, endless nature trails, manicured gardens, shops, and restaurants. The breathtaking beauty of the sprawling setting and ornate home is worth the trip for a day full of classic elegance.
ULTIMATE Biltmore Estate Travel Guide
Treehouse Vineyards
- Address: 301 Bay St, Monroe
- Area: Piedmont
- Website
This family-owned vineyard is found in Monroe, North Carolina just southeast of Charlotte. Truly an enchanting experience, it’s named after the few adorable treehouses you will see delightfully scattered about grounds.
The original treehouse is 30 feet in the air and overlooks the verdant vineyard; two others have joined its charming company since. They are rented by the hour, and one is even available overnight.
They make a mean Cab Sav and Merlot, as well as some scrumptious Muscadine wines which are native to the area. Their grounds stretch far and wide with plenty to wander and explore and many a cozy spot to relax with a glass.
They also sell gourmet specialty southern goodies. Where else can you appreciate a nice glass of wine from a tiny home up among the pines?
Shelton Vineyards
- Address: 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson
- Area: Yadkin Valley
- Website
Nestled in the famed Yadkin Valley in Dobson, this vineyard shares a similar climate to some of the best wine-growing areas in Europe, which makes it one of the best wineries in North Carolina. They grow several varieties of Vitis vinifera grapes including Chardonnay, Malbec, Riesling, and Tannat.
The wines reflect the special terroir of the valley and set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the views are unbeatable. The grounds are landscaped and the vines pruned with a sparkling pond and walking trails to explore.
An expansive gravity flow winery, Shelton Vineyards is one of the largest on the East Coast. They are committed to sustainable farming practices, something you can learn more about by touring their space. The tour and tastings are very informative and educational, while their restaurant next door serves up southern comfort cuisine that hits the spot.
Rock of Ages
- Address: 890 Charlie Long Rd, Hurdle Mills
- Area: Person County
- Website
Conveniently located just north of Durham and situated in a unique wine-growing region, enabling them to produce over 30 award-winning wines, Rock of Ages offers daily wine tastings on a wide spectrum, including dry reds and whites and delightful sweet wines.
Visitors to their winery are treated to an unforgettable tasting experience, surrounded by an Old English-style facility infused with hints of Italian and Western lodge influences, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The backdrop of 26 acres of vineyards provides a picturesque setting, delivering an authentic North Carolina winery experience.
In addition to their cultivation of the native muscadine grape, their vineyard thrives with a variety of varietals, including cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, Lemberger, petit verdot, touriga, chardonnay, chardonel, petit manseng, traminette, and Viognier.
Native Vines Winery
- Address: 1336 N North Carolina Hwy 150, Lexington
- Area: Yadkin Valley
- Website
This is the first Indigenous-owned winery in the country, by members of the Lumbee tribe. Lying on 36 acres of woodland and pastures in Lexington you’ll have to keep your eye out for arrowheads as you explore the ancient native grounds.
Native Vines Winery produces natural old-world style wines with various Vitis vinifera and several fruit blends and offers dry and semi-sweet reds and whites. They have also invented the first Green Tea Wines, which are as refreshing and delicious as they are creative.
Food trucks and live music are frequent affairs on their expansive grounds. Both quiet and quaint, this is the perfect low-key spot to enjoy a glass in the scenic sunshine with a real rural feel.
Botanist and Barrel
- Address: 105 Persimmon Hill Ln, Cedar Grove
- Area: Piedmont
- Website
This experimental winery makes its own rules as they create new and exciting offerings. They aim to create minimalistic wines with no additives, no sulfites, and no filtering using the most local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. There are tours of the winery as well as u-pick flowers on site.
Botanist and Barrel specializes in raw and live wine, which is hard to find anywhere elsewhere. Those watching their sugar intake, don’t have to worry, as their wines contain little to no residual sugars and are low-calorie.
Botanist and Barrel make dry fruit wines to be savored in their cozy tasting room or lush outdoor space – feel free to BYOB (bring your own blanket). New on the scene, they have already made quite the splash as far as North Carolina wineries go!
Cypress Bend Vineyards
- Address: 21904 Riverton Rd, Wagram
- Area: Coastal
- Website
Hidden away in Wagram, this vineyard grows three different types of the classic Muscadine grape. Offering 16 varieties of wine ranging from dry to semi-sweet, all finely balanced. Committed to exploring the possibilities of the Muscadine, this wide selection includes Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Cypress Bend Vineyards has a tasting room and boutique, both with a warm and comfortable atmosphere. The tasting space features a sweeping veranda for idyllic views of the vineyard. We recommend going for Jazzy Fridays for the full experience. You also get a complimentary wine glass with your tasting for a fun souvenir!
Cypress Bend have been granted many awards for elevating the sweet profile of the muscadine to soaring new levels in the wine world. A relaxed and familiar environment, this is one of the best North Carolina wineries to visit.
Duplin Winery
- Address: 505 N Sycamore St, Rose Hill
- Area: Coastal
- Website
Dating back to 1975, Duplin is the oldest winery in the state, and easily the most popular. Having a glass here is perhaps one of the best things to do in North Carolina!
As soon as you walk in the door, you know this winery specializes in Southern hospitality. Chock full of history and rustic charm, you will fall in love with these sweet wines from coastal Carolina.
Duplin Winery can be found in the cute hamlet of Rose Hill, in Eastern North Carolina. Visit their state-of-the-art production facility for a tour of the largest indoor enterprise on the East Coast and you can witness the process firsthand, from start to finish.
Duplin Winery has a range of award-winning sweet wines. During the tasting, you will learn about the 5 Ss of wine – sight, smell, swirl, sip, and savor. Enjoy more than a dozen samples while discovering the nuanced ways of the wine connoisseur.
Daveste Vineyards
- Address: 155 Lytton Farm Rd, Troutman
- Area: Piedmont
- Website
Tucked away in Troutman, bliss and harmony await you at Daveste Vineyards. The tasting room at Daveste is something extremely special, which you’ll immediately witness as you enjoy a vaulted open-beam frame overlooking the natural wonders of a sparkling pond and cascading waterfall. Daveste also features an art gallery with selected works from local artists.
Daveste hosts many outdoor events throughout the year, such as live music and vendor fairs, so make sure to stay up to date with their calendar onlin. They produce reds and whites including, a Chambourcin and a Viognier, but their fan favorite is a must try (Portrait wine).
All of their wines are created in small batches for a more curated craft feel. The beverages here are available in any form – glass, bottle, or flight.
Divine Llama Vineyards
- Address: 4126 Divine Llama Ln, East Bend
- Area: Yadkin Valley
- Website
Heading to the Divine Llama Vineyards is one of the best weekend getaways to have in North Carolina as this is one of the most unique wineries in NC. On almost one hundred acres of serene rolling hills in Yadkin Valley, this winery is more than meets the eye.
It’s home to the largest llama farm in the Southeast, making for an incredibly unique vineyard experience! They grow four different varieties of grapes – Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, and Traminette- creating 11 wines.
Hike two miles along Miller Creek with one of their furry friends, starting and finishing at the tasting room, where a glass will be awaiting your arrival. It’s food truck heaven on the weekends for all kinds of tasty local fares to try, so if you find yourself in the area, it’s worth stopping by even if for just an hour.
Linville Falls Winery
- Address: 9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland
- Area: Mountains
- Website
Family-owned and operated, this winery has been a flagship in the North Carolina Highcountry for many years. Nestled in a fertile valley close to the Linville Gorge and Linville Falls, the vines thrive in this lush Appalachian environment.
Their flagship grape is the Reisling, but they’re also growing Seyval Blanc, Noiret, and Petit Verdot, to name a few.
At 3,200 feet in elevation along the Blue Ridge Parkway, they are part of one of the newer AVA’s that has been established. Their sprawling farm also nurtures seasonally many kinds of berries, apples, pumpkins, and Christmas trees. Enjoy the tasting bar or table service in the breathtaking backdrop.
Linville Falls themselves are a short hike or quick drive away, and we highly recommend making the journey as it’s one of the most spectacular wineries in North Carolina. Their relaxing atmosphere and triumphant tastes create the perfect place to slow down and appreciate what nature can offer.
JOLO Winery
- Address: 219 Jolo Winery Ln, Pilot Mountain
- Area: Mountains
- Website
Acclaimed as one of the best North Carolina wineries, JOLO is known for making revered East Coast wines. They use stainless steel to ferment their whites and roses, and oak for their reds. The estate is a picturesque, pristine scene that focuses on the site’s natural beauty, which features Cox Lake and Pilot Mountain.
There are many nature trails to explore the jaw-dropping landscape of the grounds. The grape varietals for the whites are Traminette and Vidal Blanc and for the reds, there are petit verdot, Cynthiana, and merlot, just to name a few.
Most wines are dry and selected specifically for the particular climate of the area. The standard flight here is seven wines – a sparkling, a white, a rose, three reds, and a dessert wine. The End Posts restaurant on-site serves up fabulous fares for any meal, so make sure to arrive hungry!
Burntshirt Vineyards
- Address: 2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville
- Area: Mountains
- Website
The patios at Burntshirt overlook the vineyards and the Blue Ridge Mountains at the highest altitudes around. This is one of the best wineries in North Carolina to view the sunset, as they seem to be endless from this vantage point. Somehow, the reds taste better with the fiery, glowing sun sinking in front of you and Burtnshirt has their own food truck for pairings as well.
They offer Sweet and Dry Riesling, Malbec, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, and more and there are two fabulous flights available at the tasting room. The vineyard is dog-friendly so feel free to arrive with a furbaby in tow.
Their production facilities feature cutting edge equipment, including a crush pad where freshly picked fruits are de-stemmed and pressed for all the natural juices. It’s also possible to take a tour to learn more about the technical process at Burntshirt.
Hunker down here in Hendersonville for a good time, or check out their Chimney Rock location for a charming retreat.
Silvercoast Winery
We’ve mentioned many mountain wineries on this list, but howabout some Coastal wineries? The renowned Silvercoast Winery has a Tasting and Taproom right in the heart of Downtown Southport, and is a fantastic NC winery to try.
They have an impressive selection of their award-winning wines on-site to try, as well as local craft beers on draft and by bottle, in case you’re more of a hop head than a tannin buff. The varietals are aged in oak barrels dry to semi-dry in more traditional European styles.
The space is comfortable and intimate, with a small gift shop and art gallery connected. There’s a cute outdoor patio as well where they will often host live music during the lively summer months!
Sanctuary Vineyards
- Address: 7005 Caratoke Hwy, Jarvisburg
- Area: Coastal
- Website
Sanctuary Vineyards is a quiet and quaint seaside farm and vineyard located just near the Outer Banks. Ten acres of grapes are spread across this farmland with varieties of Syrah, Viognier, Norton, Tempranillo, and of course the sweet Muscadine.
Grapes are picked by hand every spring, making Sanctuary Vineyards one of the best places to visit if you are near the Outer Banks. Here you can experience a cruise with wine tasting with friends and family! There’s a wide range of tastings available as well!
How Many Wineries Are in North Carolina?
You may not think North Carolina has much to offer in terms of wine, but truth be told North Carolina is home to almost 550 vineyards and nearly 200 wineries! With varied grapes, scenic views, and Southern hospitality, it’s hard to dislike any of them!
North Carolina ranks 12th out of 50 states for wine production, just after Texas and Virginia. There are three main areas for wine in North Carolina: the mountains, coastal, and the Piedmont area. These North Carolina wineries mentioned in this list are all noted by area.
- Mountain Wineries in North Carolina: High altitudes and grapes grown from the water of all the beautiful North Carolina waterfalls. Pair your wine here with a side of mountain view.s
- Coastal Wineries in North Carolina: Home to America’s first grape, the scuppernong. Here you’ll find sweet wines you can enjoy with an ocean breeze.
- Piedmont Wineries: The heart of Carolina wine country, the Yadkin Valley is where you’ll find the most traditional wineries and where you can try many different varieties.
What Are Some Famous Wine Festivals in North Carolina?
- North Carolina Wine Festival: Held in various locations across the state, the North Carolina Wine Festival is a series of events that showcase the best wines from North Carolina wineries. These festivals typically feature live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, and, of course, plenty of wine tastings.
- Yadkin Valley Grape Festival: The Yadkin Valley Grape Festival is a vibrant one-day celebration that spotlights the exceptional wines of the Yadkin Valley. Held in October this is an exciting day where you can explore over a dozen wineries, indulge in delectable food offerings, and peruse specialty vendors.
- Muscadine Heritage Wine Festival: Celebrating the unique muscadine grape, this festival typically takes place in Duplin County, one of the prime muscadine-growing regions in North Carolina. Visitors can taste a variety of muscadine wines and enjoy live entertainment.
Vineyards & Wineries in NC Where You Can Stay Overnight
- Banner Elk Winery (Banner Elk)
- Medaloni Cellars (Lewisville)
- Treehouse Vineyards (Monroe)
- Childress Vineyards (Lexington)
- Inn on Biltmore Estate (Asheville)
- Roaring River Vineyards (Traphill)
- Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery (Elkin)
Best North Carolina Wineries Map
Plan For Your Trip to the South!
- We like to use VRBO when searching for vacation apartment rentals and Booking.com when searching for hotels.
- See our favorite cooler for the road!
- Get Around: We suggest renting a car for traveling the Carolinas. Check Prices on RentalCars.com
- Our Favorite Travel Shoes: Our answer to this question is always Allbirds.
- Check out our favorite North Carolina Souvenir!
