Why you should visit boutique Yadkin Valley wineries
This blog post covers the best wineries in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley.
Yadkin Valley wineries are the crown jewels of North Carolina wine country.
Yadkin Valley is North Carolina’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA). It’s also the largest with over 1,400,000 acres. There are so many wineries to explore within the Yadkin Valley AVA that it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s where we come in – we’ve compiled a list of the best Yadkin Valley wineries.
Our list focuses on boutique wineries. These small family-run operations make a limited amount of wine per year. They’re not the biggest wineries or the most popular.
But they offer something special, whether it’s estate-grown grapes, award-winning wines, organic practices, or a good love story.
If you want to find the best boutique wineries in the Yadkin Valley, this blog post is a great place to start. If you want to narrow your search then check out our lists of the best wineries in Elkin, Dobson, and Mount Airy. Each of these small towns within the Yadkin Valley has a few good wineries up their sleeves.
How to access Yadkin Valley in North Carolina
Yadkin Valley wineries are easily accessible if you have a car.
The Yadkin Valley is North Carolina’s largest American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Yadkin Valley AVA spans over 1,400,000 acres and covers seven counties and multiple towns including Elkin, Mount Airy, Dobson, State Road, and Pilot Mountain.
I’m going to use Elkin as the reference point because it’s the town I’d stay in overnight. Elkin has a cute historic downtown and it’s an easy drive to neighboring towns.
Here are the cities closest to Elkin:
- Greensboro, North Carolina is 71 miles from Elkin, which is about 1 hour and 14 minutes by car.
- Charlotte, North Carolina is 75 miles away, which is a 1 hour and 20 minute drive.
- Durham, North Carolina is 124 miles, so a 2 hour drive from Elkin.
- Asheville, North Carolina is 136 miles, which is just over 2 hours.
- Knoxville, Tennessee is 249 miles from Elkin, which is 3 hours and 46 minutes by car.
If you already live in one of these cities, then great! You can simply hop in your car and drive to the Yadkin Valley wineries on this list. But if you live out of state then you’ll need to fly into one of those towns, rent a car at the airport, and then drive to the Yadkin Valley wineries.
The best boutique wineries in Yadkin Valley for a wine tasting
Curran Alexander Vineyards (Lexington, NC)
Curran Alexander Vineyards makes outstanding wines in the southern end of the Yadkin Valley.
When you visit this property you’ll immediately feel the deep history that flows through this land. The farm has been in the same family for nearly 150 years and there are landmarks sprinkled throughout the grounds.
Although the farm has been in the family for a long time, they’ve only been growing wine grapes on the farm since 2001. They currently grow four grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Grigio.
The property sits about 800 feet above sea level and is covered in sandy clay loam soil. Combined with hot summer days and cooler evenings, it’s the perfect place to grow grapes in North Carolina wine country.
The Curran Alexander Vineyards tasting room is located in Lexington, North Carolina. They’re open for wine tastings on Saturdays from 12:00 to 5:30 PM. On Sundays they’re open from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Their fine wines are available by the glass, flight, and bottle. Check the Curran Alexander Vineyards Facebook page to check their schedule for live music events and food trucks.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery (Elkin, NC)
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery is North Carolina’s first organic vineyard and winery.
This special winery works with French-American hybrid and muscadine grapes. Chambourcin, Norton, Niagara, and Cynthiana (Norton) grapes appear in their dry and off-dry wines. Carlos and Magnolia muscadine grapes also make an appearance.
Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery isn’t afraid to branch out. In addition to traditional wines they also make fruit wines. The “Thin Blue Line” wine blends blueberries and grapes while “Angel Wings” combines Elderberries and Magnolia muscadine grapes. Some Carolina Heritage wines are packaged in super portable cans, which is perfect for lake days or picnics.
And if you’re more of a beer person, you’re in luck. Carolina Heritage is also a brewery! They make an American-style lager. They also stock a wide variety of craft beers made by other North Carolina brewers.
The Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery tasting room is a 12-15 minute drive from downtown Elkin. The tasting room is open Friday from 4-8 PM, Saturday from 12-8 PM, and Sunday from 12-6 PM. They’re closed Monday through Thursday.
If you’re looking to stay overnight they have a cabin with vineyard views. The recently renovated cabin has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a porch perfect for sitting.
Hidden Vineyard (Dobson, NC)
Many people toss around crazy ideas after a glass of wine (or three). The difference is that these crazy wine lovers actually acted on their dreams.
One night Tim and Lisa Sherman, their son Josh, and their daughter-in-law Claudia agreed it would be fun to buy a vineyard. Within the year they were the proud owners of a 9-acre plot of land in Yadkin Valley wine country.
Hidden Vineyard came with 9-acres of vineyards and an old 1890’s tobacco cabin. Today the winery works with grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Chambourcin, and Chardonnay.
The Hidden Vineyard tasting room is located in Dobson, North Carolina. The tasting room is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM. Sunday hours are from 11 AM to 5 PM. They’re closed Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
P.S. Overnight guests can book the cabin, which is a short walk from the Hidden Vineyard tasting room.
Castello Barone Vineyards and Winery (Ronda, NC)
Castello Barone Vineyards is a boutique winery in the Swan Creek AVA of the Yadkin Valley.
Owners Scott and Elizabeth Barone were deeply inspired by their Italian and French heritage. French and Italian grape varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Petit Manseng, Montepulciano, and Vermentino thrive in their Yadkin Valley vineyards.
The couple also grows some unusual varieties such as Saperavi, which is indigenous to the Republic of Georgia, and Tocai Friulano, which is popular in the Friuli region of Italy.
The Castello Barone Vineyards & Winery tasting room is located in Ronda, North Carolina. The tasting room is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM. They’re closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday.
When you visit the Castello Barone tasting room you’ll find local artisan cheeses and meat, which complement the French and Italian-style wines. There’s also beer from Laconia Ale Works. Guests are welcome to bring food on days when they don’t have a food truck onsite.
P.S. The winery also caters picnics with the help of NC Wine Gals. A picnic experience at Castello Barone includes a welcome drink, vineyard tour, and a three-course tasting menu with wine pairings. There will be a beautiful table plus music and photos. Sounds fun!
Haze Gray Vineyards (Dobson, NC)
Haze Gray Vineyards is a family-owned winery located near Dobson in the heart of North Carolina wine country.
Owners Deane and Becky both grew up in military families. They continued the tradition by raising their own family while Deane worked as a U.S. Navy officer. After many moves and many years the family agreed to settle down. They chose an 85-acre farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains foothills.
Today Haze Gray Vineyards grows a selection of well-known grapes including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. Their farm in the Yadkin Valley AVA is also a great place for cold-hardy varieties such as Tannat, Chambourcin, and Traminette.
One of the most unique offerings at Haze Gray Vineyards is their line of sweet wines inspired by blossoms. Each bottle of wine is meant to showcase the smell of orchard blooms. You’ll find flavors like Peach Blossom and Cherry Blossom.
The Haze Gray Vineyards tasting room is open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Sunday they’re open from 12-6 PM. The winery can accommodate visitors on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday but you’ll have to make a special appointment.
Other American wine regions to visit
North Carolina and South Carolina towns with fun wineries
North Carolina and South Carolina are awash with fun wineries. The following towns are worth a closer look.
Surry County is a small county nestled in the rolling hills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge foothills. Most of these family-run Surry County wineries are the direct result of the owner’s passion for wine, for the land, and for their family.
Dobson is another North Carolina wine country town with lots of small family-run operations. Our list of the best wineries in Dobson NC shows why you should visit the birthplace of the Yadkin Valley AVA.
Elkin is a small town near the Yadkin River in North Carolina. These four Elkin wineries are all within a short drive of Elkin’s historic downtown. It’s a cute town with charming wineries surrounded by beautiful landscape.
If you’re interested in South Carolina wine country then consider Greenville. There are tons of fun Greenville wineries and wine bars both in the city and just outside the city center.
The Myrtle Beach area is known for its beaches, not wineries. It’s one of the most popular vacation destinations on North Carolina’s east coast. But you’ve got to take a break from the endless shopping, dining, and entertainment. And what better place to stop than one of these wineries in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
The town of North Myrtle Beach is just up the road. Barefoot Landing shopping center is this town’s main draw. Here are the best wine bars and wineries in North Myrtle Beach if you’d like a place to quench your thirst.
Other Southern wine country destinations
The American South is not the most lauded wine region in the United States. But it’s home to some lovely gems if you know where to look.
People flock to Blue Ridge, Georgia for its natural beauty. Outdoor activities are also a draw thanks to the area’s many hikes, waterfalls, and scenic views. Plus there are wineries. The beautiful wineries in Blue Ridge show how charming and hospitable this small town can be.
Smith Mountain Lake is another spot in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This Virginia destination has camping, hiking, and watersports aplenty. And you all know the best way to end a full day of activities: vino! The local wine at these Smith Mountain Lake wineries will have you jumping for joy.
