Published by Christina. Last Updated on August 8, 2024.
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North Carolina is blessed with some incredible wineries and vineyards, with varietals for every type of drinker! If you’re looking to make the most of your next weekend in our wine-producing regions, we suggest pairing a few together through one of these North Carolina wine trails!
Since many wineries in North Carolina (especially in wine regions like the Yadkin Valley) are concentrated in specific areas, these wine trails are relatively easy to navigate. Of course, we recommend you drink responsibly and travel with a designated driver or transportation plan.
We’ll include a few more tips to keep you safe in this guide, along with a half-dozen NC wine trails to get your adventure started! If you’re ready to start planning, we are ready to start sharing, so buckle up and get ready for some sippable fun!
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do In North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Tips for Visiting North Carolina Wine Trails
As we mentioned at the beginning, wine is to be enjoyed responsibly, so please try to understand your limits and have a designated driver ready.
While the wineries in these trails are situated close to each other, many still require driving on country roads. Be safe and smart!
Also, we love visiting kid-friendly wineries in North Carolina, but not every winery is welcoming to tiny humans–and that’s okay! Make sure to call ahead to ask if they allow children. This goes for furry friends too!
And finally, stay hydrated! Pack a nice picnic and snacks to enjoy with your wine.
Learn more about the wine you’re drinking by asking questions! The people pouring your glass are often also the farmers out in the field. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the craft and keep coming back to try different varieties.
Read More: 25 Wonderful Wineries Near Asheville (Vineyards Within 2 Hours)
North Carolina Wine Trails
Surry County Wine Trail
Weaving through the Yadkin Valley, the Surry County Wine Trail stretches through the towns of Elkin, Pilot Mountain, Dobson, and Mount Airy.
If you pick up a Yadkin Valley Wine & Beer Passport, you can receive tastings at ten incredible wineries, four craft breweries, and discounts at local restaurants throughout Surry County.
The passport is a one-time purchase that we think is a valuable investment and makes for a fantastic gift!
Note: The Yadkin Valley Wine & Beer Passport is on hold from winter 2021 to 2022. You are still welcome to visit and support each of this area’s wineries, breweries, and restaurants as we await the program’s resumption!
Here’s a breakdown of the wineries and breweries that participated in the most recent Passport:
- Adagio Vineyards (Elkin)
- Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery (Elkin)
- Elkin Creek Vineyard and Winery (Elkin)
- Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery (Elkin)
- Haze Gray Vineyards (Dobson)
- Roaring River Vineyards (Traphill)
- Round Peak Vineyards (Mount Airy)
- Shelton Vineyards (Dobson)
- Slightly Askew Winery (Elkin)
- Stony Knoll Vineyards (Dobson)
Breweries included the following:
- Angry Troll Brewing (Elkin)
- Thirsty Souls Brewing (Mount Airy)
- White Elephant (Mount Airy)
A bonus to the Yadkin Valley Wine & Beer Passport is that one local distillery (Mayberry Spirits in Mount Airy) also participates.
Read More: 14 Delicious Restaurants in Elkin (+1 Great Cocktail Bar)
Swan Creek Wine Trail
Within the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) is another microclimate designated as its own AVA. The Swan Creek AVA features its own unique wineries and includes an NC wine trail for you to enjoy!
There are four vineyards along this NC wine trail, all within 5 miles of each other in the Yadkin County town of Hamptonville. They include the following:
Southern Gateway Wine Trail
The Southern Gateway Trail will take you through NC barbecue country and expose you to exquisitely crafted wines! Based in and around the Davidson County seat of Lexington, this leads through some of the diverse NC vineyards on the list.
You’ll find four very different wineries in Lexington. Sip on the wine of champions at Childress Vineyards, followed by the first Native American-owned winery (Native Vines).
Junius Lindsay produces incredible French-style wines with an open-air tasting room, and finally, Weathervane Winery makes unfiltered fruit wines.
Read More: Lexington NC Map of 20+ Attractions (+ 7 Surrounding Counties!)
Shallow Ford Wine Trail
Named for the shallow area where pioneers and Civil War cavalries crossed the Yadkin River, this is another of our North Carolina wine trails that includes four wineries where you can take NC wine tours or just indulge in a short wine tasting in North Carolina. The Shallow Ford Wine Trail will also take you to three different counties (Forsyth, Davie, and Yadkin).
You can sip Chardonnay at Medaloni Cellars and enjoy the Old World atmosphere found at Hanover Park Vineyard. Soak in the rolling scenery at Brandon Hills Vineyard.
Uwharrie Mountain Trail
If you are looking for an incredible day trip from Charlotte, then the Uwharrie Mountain Trail is a great option! There are three wineries on this wine trail, all in the Stanly County town of Albemarle.
They offer a great mix of European and American varietals. In addition, all of these wineries have incredible views of the Uwharrie Mountains, which are believed to be over 500 million years old!
This trail includes some of the best wineries in North Carolina, including the following:
Yadkin River Wine Trail
The last of our North Carolina wine trails is possibly the most influential. The Yadkin River is surrounded by so many NC wineries and in this area just outside Winston-Salem, some pretty unique ones have popped up over the years.
The Yadkin River Wine Trail includes five wineries in North Carolina and is probably the most interesting of our NC wine trails, though we’re not playing favorites. At these wineries, you’ll get to drink with llamas and miniature horses. One is cow-themed and there’s even an organic vegetable farm in the mix!
Wineries along this wine trail include the following:
- Flint Hill Vineyards
- Divine Llama Vineyards (Largest Llama Farm in the Southeast)
- Cellar 4201
- Ragapple Lassie Vineyards
- Sanders Ridge Winery
Read More: 20 Awesome Wineries near Charlotte (Vineyards Within 2 Hours)
Ready to Explore The North Carolina Wine Country?
While this list is nowhere near close to mentioning every single winery, we think these North Carolina wine trails make a great start. We’re sure that while you visit these wineries, you’ll either overhear people talking about nearby spots to visit.
That’s why we think these NC wine trails are the perfect introduction but also a great guide to our AVAs and wine-producing regions. Again, we ask that you sip responsibly but hope you’re able to get out there and support these businesses as they continue putting out such wonderfully crafted wines!
Have you added any of these wineries to your personal NC Winery map? Have you already completed these North Carolina wine trails? Better yet, have you followed any of the trails? We’d love to know about your favorite places to sip and your experiences with these wonderful businesses near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
