Why you should visit the wineries Elkin NC offers
This blog post covers the best wineries in Elkin, North Carolina.
Elkin is a tiny town nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills beside the Yadkin River. This charming historic town located at the heart of the Yadkin Valley is the perfect homebase from which you can explore the best wineries Elkin NC offers.
The four best wineries located in Elkin are all within a fifteen minute drive of the historic downtown main street. Which makes them super accessible.
And when you’re not wine tasting there’s plenty more to do. Known as the “best little trails town in North Carolina,” Elkin is a haven for hiking, biking, and paddling (a big Elkin Creek activity).
The town of Elkin is a hidden gem in one the most prominent wine regions in the Southern United States. So kick back, relax, and enjoy a glass of North Carolina wine as you read our list of Elkin’s best wineries.
How to access Yadkin Valley and the wineries Elkin NC offers
How to travel to the town of Elkin
Elkin, North Carolina is within easy driving distance of several small cities.
The closest city is Greensboro, NC, which is a 70 minute drive from Elkin. The second closest city is Charlotte, NC. Elkin is just over an hour north of Charlotte (about 75 minutes to be exact).
The next two cities are equidistant from Elkin. Durham, NC is a 2 hour drive from Elkin. Asheville, NC is just over 2 hours from Elkin. The largest (and farthest) city is Knoxville, Tennessee, which is a 3 hour 45 minute drive from Elkin.
All of these cities have airports. There’s the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO) in Greensboro and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in Charlotte. The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is located in Morrisville and the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) is in Fletcher. The McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) in Alcoa, Tennessee services Knoxville.
As you can see there are tons of airports nearby. It would be easy to fly into one of those airports, rent a car, and drive to Elkin.
How to travel between wineries
The Elkin Vine Line is a local bus company that services the Yadkin Valley wine region.
The Elkin Vine Line has six Winery Hopper Lines that each visit four wineries. All six lines begin at their downtown Elkin station and branch out into Yadkin Valley wine country.
The Red Line services the wineries Elkin NC offers. The Green Line heads south and the Blue Line heads southeast towards the Swan Creek AVA. The Gold Line drives east towards wineries in the Piedmont Regions. The Silver Line and the Purple Line heads north towards the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Elkin Vine Line is an easy way to travel between wineries especially if you’re not keen on driving.
The best wineries Elkin, NC offers
Elkin Creek Vineyard
Elkin Creek Vineyard has a fun history that involves a wedding, sushi, and the Blue Man Group.
To make a long story short, Nick and Jennifer White married at this winery in 2008. By 2011 they purchased Elkin Creek Vineyard alongside their good friends Louis and Carrie Jeroslow. Together they run this amazing winery at the site of a historic grist mill. Cool, huh?
Elkin Creek Vineyard works with grapes such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and the German grape Dornfelder. They also make a port-style dessert wine from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Wine tastings are available for $15 for six wines. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. Elkin Creek Vineyard regularly updates their operating hours so be sure to double check their monthly schedule before you visit.
In addition to a winery, Elkin Creek Vineyard has a kitchen, cabins, and a wedding venue.
They offer four creek-side cabins with modern conveniences such as a full kitchen and historic touches such as a stone fireplace. The cabins are a short walk from their historic century-old mill, waterfall, vineyard and winery.
On Sundays the Elkin Creek kitchen fires up their wood-burning brick oven and makes made-to-order pizzas. Only thirty pizzas are available each week so email Elkin Creek Vineyard early in the week to reserve your dough.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery is the first organic vineyard and winery in North Carolina.
Their beautiful vineyard is home to French-American hybrid and muscadine grapes. These grapes become delicious wines that range from sweet to dry wines. They’re also organic wines, which is a huge plus for organic wine enthusiasts.
The wine from Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery is a blend of tradition and modernity. They make multiple canned beverages including a Rosé wine, a Traminette sangria, and a spiced cider. Their “Thin Blue Line” wine blends blueberry and grape wine while “Angel Wings” combines Magnolia grape wine blended with Elderberry wine.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery is a 12-15 minute drive from downtown Elkin and it’s open Friday through Sunday. Hopefully other Yadkin Valley vineyards will follow in the organic footsteps of this very special spot.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery also rents a cabin to guests who crave countryside tranquility and vineyard views. The original 1928 “Olde Farmhouse” was renovated in 2018 and includes two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a sizable porch.
Adagio Vineyards
The owners of Adagio Vineyards bring a musical touch to winemaking.
“Adagio” is a musical term that means “slowly with passion. The Adagio Vineyards owners apply the same philosophy to their wines, which they describe as elegant, classic, and unique.
Adagio Vineyards work with grape varieties like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Traminette. Their “Arandell 2022” wine is a North American hybrid with Pinot Noir parentage and tastes like tart blueberry and plum.
Wine tastings are $16 for eight wines and take about forty minutes. Wine flights are $22 for four wines. Their tasting room is open Thursday through Monday.
Christian Paul Vineyards
Christian Paul Vineyards is a small winery in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the Yadkin Valley AVA of North Carolina. They make wines in the style of international award-winning wines from France, Italy, and Germany.
They work with grapes such as Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Viognier, Traminette, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. At Christian Paul Vineyards Montepulciano grapes become Italian-style wines and Chardonnay grapes become Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine.
The owners have an interesting background. Andrew’s a lawyer from a farming family and Christian has a Geochemistry PhD and hospitality experience.
Their patio overlooking acres of vineyards is the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine. They allow outside food when food trucks aren’t onsite.
Slightly Askew Winery
Slightly Askew Winery is a kooky name for a unique Yadkin Valley winery.
They serve fruit wines produced from local juices for the sweet wine lovers of the world. The red lover can also find a selection of dry and semi-dry red wines.
Slightly Askew wines have playful names. “Numb Knutz” is a sweet red wine that tastes like ripe black cherries and “Reel Good” is a tropical strawberry Riesling. “Elk-A-Holick” is a green apple Gewurztraminer that was “created for the Elkaholics in Elkin.”
If you’re someone who appreciates wordplay, dad jokes, and sweet wine then Slightly Askew Winery is for you!
Similar wine regions to explore
Other North Carolina and South Carolina wineries to explore
Elkin’s five wineries are a fraction of Yadkin Valley wine country. If you like the wineries Elkin NC offers perhaps you’d like to explore more of the Yadkin Valley AVA?
The neighboring town of Dobson is a short 22 minute drive from Elkin. Dobson is the birthplace of the Yadkin Valley AVA and home to Shelton Vineyards, North Carolina’s largest winery. After you check out Shelton Vineyards it’s time to explore the smaller family-run wineries in Dobson NC.
Mount Airy, North Carolina is a 35 minute drive (29 miles from Elkin). It’s home to the Old North State Winery and Round Peak Vineyards, both of which participate in the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail. The wineries Mount Airy NC offers have one thing in common: they’re friendly! Guests are encouraged to bring their kids, their dogs, and their curiosity.
The Yadkin Valley is North Carolina’s first (and largest) American Viticultural Area (AVA). Yadkin Valley wineries are the crown jewels of North Carolina wine country. These small family-run boutique wineries are spread throughout the valley. And guess what: they all make great wine!
Surry County covers the Blue Ridge foothills in Yadkin Valley. Surry County wineries demonstrate how a winemaker’s focus on wine, land, and community is a wonderful recipe for success.
South Carolina has its share of fun wineries. Greenville is a small city nestled against the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina. We covers the best wine bars and wineries Greenville SC offers both inside and outside city limits.
The Myrtle Beach area of South Carolina is a popular vacation destination. We’ve covered two cute towns worth a visit: Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Both towns offer sandy beaches, good restaurants, fun entertainment, and wine! The wineries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina can quench your thirst in between beach sessions. And if retail therapy’s your thing pop into the tasting rooms in the Barefoot Landing shopping center. Our list of the best wine bars and wineries North Myrtle Beach offers will show you where to go.
Lakeside wine destinations in the United States
Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia is another vacation destination situated within the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area offers camping, picnicking, hiking… and wine tasting! The area’s easygoing attitude and rural charm is reflected in the best Smith Mountain Lake wineries.
If lakeside wineries are your thing, you really should visit the Finger Lakes region of New York. There are dozens of wineries with gorgeous views of the lakes. Two of our favorite destinations in the Finger Lakes are Keuka Lake and Penn Yan. Both destinations have lush rolling green hills studded with charming historic towns and wineries. It’s a great place to explore!
