Pop a Bottle at These North Carolina Wineries
Are you looking for the best North Carolina wineries? Are you looking for vineyards near Asheville? Listen, we love some local wine, and we’ve got all the info you need below for a wine weekend in the North Carolina mountains!
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Sip a glass of red among the vines at Souther Williams Vineyard.
Best North Carolina Vineyards and Wineries
Nothing compares to a lazy day at a winery, but when we first moved to the mountains, and one of our neighbors said, “You have to try the North Carolina wineries!” the first thing I pictured was Moira Rose and the fruit wine commercial from Schitt’s Creek. Wait, there’s wine here? I wondered. Like, real wine?
Fortunately, there are a solid number of wonderful North Carolina wineries in our area, and more importantly, they bear no resemblance to the Herb Ertlinger Winery.
Over the last three years, my husband and I have become regulars at a number of North Carolina wineries (all in the name of professional research, I swear). Each one has its own character and vibe, so I’ve put together an in-depth look at our favorites to help you plan your ultimate Asheville wine weekend!
Split a bottle of Maggie with some friends at Parker-Binns Vineyard.
Parker-Binns Vineyard
The Vibe: This family-owned-and-operated winery is known for chill, upbeat vibes, eclectic decor, throwing really fun parties and events… oh yeah, and tasty wines. This laid-back winery is perfect for, well, everyone. Whether you’ve got kids in tow, questions about the growing process of Petit Manseng, or don’t know the first thing about wine, you’re in the right place. Don’t be surprised if your wine tasting is delivered by a member of the Parker-Binns Vineyard family. Multiple generations pour their heart and soul into the land and wine at this North Carolina winery.
The Wine: We love Parker-Binns because they’re always doing something interesting. While we never fail to come home with our old standbys, the Maggie and the Loco Lulu Red, their Can-gria and bottles of their limited-release Watchmen are coveted items in our household.
Parker-Binns grows malbec, Tannat, Vidal Blanc, and Cambourcin, among other grape varietals.
The Food: Our favorite taco truck EVER, Relish, recently moved to the kitchen at Parker-Binns Vineyard, and they’re slinging delicious eats Thursday-Sunday. The Parker-Binns snack menu is also available Wednesday-Sunday.
The Grounds: Expect walls covered with quirky paintings of animals and local art in the Burger Barn and an outdoor bar with carousel horses suspended from the ceiling. The open-air decks and beautifully landscaped lawn tables offer sweeping views of the vines with mountains in the background, and the sunsets are unbeatable. Oh, and did I mention there’s a donkey?
The Events: Mark your calendars now for the annual Pig Pickin’, a day of competitive BBQ, music, local craft vendors, and great wine. You’ll also regularly find live music, the occasional Sip n’ Paint or tasting dinner, and an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Get the FUNK Out of Winter party.
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Grab a coveted seat by the massive fire pit at Mountain Brook Vineyards.
Mountain Brook Vineyards and Winery
The Vibe: Relaxed yet sophisticated, Mountain Brook has a modern, refined, yet welcoming vibe. You'll find serious oenophiles swirling glasses of viognier next to loud, cabernet-soaked bachelorette parties at Mountain Brook, but there's a comfortable spot for everyone at this spacious winery.
Though the vines have been growing on the property since 2002, Vickie and Jonathan Redgrave acquired Mountain Brook in 2018 and have been hard at work modernizing and expanding the winery and vineyard since then.
The Wine: We aggressively hoard Mountain Brook’s BDX in this home, and you can’t go wrong Allin or Rosé. If you see the Nebbiolo on the menu, be sure to grab a bottle.
As stated on the website, Mountain Brook currently grows sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, cabernet franc, petit verdot, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, chardonnay, viognier, pinot grigio, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot.
The Food: Do I sometimes blame Mountain Brook’s epic cheese and charcuterie board for my jeans being too tight? Yes, yes, I do. In addition to the meat and cheese, Mountain Brook offers light snacks like hummus, locally made cheese spreads, and chocolates to complement your wine experience. Keep an eye on their Instagram and Vineyard Events page for the latest on visiting food trucks for heartier fare. And, if you’re traveling with Fido, see if they’ve got their barkuterie boards available!
The Grounds: Mountain Brook Vineyards and Winery rests on 75 acres of sweeping grounds with multiple spaces on the property for weddings, tastings, and special events. Expect mostly outdoor seating on the lawn or under the pergola and sweeping sunset views, and be sure to angle for a chair by the enormous firepit as the evening chill sets in. The barrel room sits at the opposite end of the drive from the tasting room, and the two-story space is often home to special events.
The Events: Music and food trucks are regular occurrences at Mountain Brook. They also host Sip n’ Paint events, luxurious wine dinners, and holiday events.
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The grounds at Linville Falls Winery are so gorgeous you’ll think you’re in a Hallmark Channel movie.
Linville Falls Winery
The Vibe: Y’all, Linville Falls Winery is a destination. The cozy yet luxurious tasting room invites you to breathe a deep sigh and relax. The grounds, however, invite you to star in your own personal Hallmark Channel movie, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Every time we’ve been to Linville Falls, it’s brought calming and cheerful vibes. We also love the personal story and family-owned aspect of Linville Falls Winery, and you can read all about Jack and JoAnn’s story here.
The Wine: In my husband's and my humble and unwarranted opinions, the Petit Verdot, Reisling, and Cabernet Sauvignon are where it’s at. (And we’re not sweet wine people, but that Reisling is a delight!) But order a tasting (or two) for yourself to decide.
The Food: If you’re feeling snacky, Linville Falls Winery sells a selection of locally made items. If you’re a hangry lady like myself, you’ll want to plan around the seasonal food truck schedule, eat before you go, or BYO food.
The Grounds: Linville Falls Winery is absolutely stunning. The sprawling, hilly grounds are literally half grape vines, half Christmas tree farm. Are you drinking wine in your own personal Hallmark Channel movie? Maybe, tell your husband to stand guard against attractive flannel-wearing-bottle-toting locals with Golden Retrievers, especially during the holiday season.
I honestly don’t know what’s more beautiful, the Mediterranean-style tasting room, the manicured garden beds that give way to the pond, the rustic red Christmas tree barn, or the hillside platform that looks down on the entire absurdly picturesque operation.
If you’re not already putting directions to Linville Falls Winery in your phone, let me add that the property is awash in grapes and sunflowers in the summer, the area’s fall foliage is a must-see, and you can choose and cut your own Christmas tree in the late fall. Boom.
The Events: Music, food trucks, and yoga are beloved regularly scheduled activities at Linville Falls Winery, but this gorgeous winery also hosts floral arrangement classes, summer square dances, an annual grape stomp, sip n’ paints, and holiday events.
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Enjoy a tasting with panoramic views at Stone Ashe Vineyard.
Stone Ashe Vineyard & Winery
The Vibe: Stone Ashe Vineyard offers a sleek and modern North Carolina wine experience. The vibe is hip and worldly, and the proximity to Asheville brings an urbane vibe.
The Wine: Though the wine is a bit pricier than some of the other wineries in the area, Stone Ashe Vineyard & Winery also won readers’ choice for Best New Winery in the US, according to USA Today. Try the Coppedge Hill, a left bank-style Bordeaux blend, or the cabernet franc.
The Food: Stone Ashe is a sippin’ establishment, y’all, so you may want to eat before going. The winery offers local charcuterie, smoked trout dip, hummus, pimento cheese, and craft chocolates, but they’re prone to selling out. Stone Ashe also doesn’t allow outside food and beverage.
The Grounds: The contemporary tasting room perches on a rolling hillside with panoramic views from both the floor-to-ceiling windows and manicured lawn. Set up camp in an Adirondack chair on the lawn and watch the world go by, or settle in at a table under the covered patio or in the lovely tasting room.
The Events: Celebrate the beauty of a perfect wine pairing at Stone Ashe’s curated wine dinners, offered periodically.
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Marked Tree Vineyard opens the massive garage doors during mild weather.
Marked Tree Vineyard
The Vibe: Marked Tree Vineyard is undeniably cool. The sophisticated design and great wines draw a fun but respectful crowd of young professionals, tourists, and hip retirees.
In their own words of welcome, “The Spirit of Marked Tree is about finding your path… We hope you enjoy time at Marked Tree Vineyard. Whether you are choosing a new path, enjoying your current path, or looking for a new exciting one- enjoy the next marker of your life with a great bottle of Marked Tree wine.”
The Wine: The three little words that set my heart aflutter at Marked Tree Vineyard are “Ghost House Red.” Do a tasting, by all means, but definitely take home a bottle of the Ghost House Red Blend. The Petit Verdot is also quite tasty.
The Food: Like many of the North Carolina wineries highlighted in this piece, Marked Tree Vineyard offers a gourmet snack menu and does not allow outside food and drink. The snacks are all tasty, but we need to take a moment for the yummy smoked trout platter. There’s nothing like sipping local estate-grown wine while eating smoked trout with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Grounds: The well-thought-out tasting space at Marked Tree features massive garage doors to capitalize on the mountains’ crisp, fresh air, and it’s an absolute delight. You can also settle in by a firepit on the patio during cooler weather or claim a cozy indoor table. The views are, of course, impressive, but I love the “ghost house” chimney (check it out with a glass of Ghost House Red Blend in your hand) and the massive tree.
The Events: Marked Tree Vineyards hosts a number of art-forward special events, such as Plein Air painting workshops, sunset symphony parties, and the occasional fashion soiree. They also offer yoga, goat yoga, and guided walking tours of the vineyard.
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Colorful furniture, luxurious container gardens, and bohemian accents set the scene for the adults-only experience at Overmountain Vineyards.
Overmountain Vineyards
The Vibe: Billed as an “adult-only luxury experience,” you can sip a leisurely glass of wine without a soundtrack of screaming children, goat yoga, or bachelorette nonsense at Overmountain Vineyards. The mood is peaceful yet festive, upscale yet approachable. Reservations are encouraged, but they’ve graciously accommodated us as walk-ins many a-time.
The Wine: The father-daughter winemaking team at Overmountain Vineyards uses innovative techniques to develop handcrafted and distinctive French-style wines. The 18 acres of vines grow petit manseng, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, and petit verdot grapes. I highly recommend doing a wine tasting at Overmountain Vineyards, and be sure to try the sangria.
The Food: Plan to enjoy a charcuterie plate at Overmountain Vineyards or check their Instagram for upcoming food trucks.
The Grounds: The color furniture, bohemian accents, flowing curtains, and enviable container gardens invite you to lean back and say, “Ahhhh.” The luxurious yet festive covered patio overlooks a sweeping vista of vines, and the U-pick organic blueberry patch is a must during the summer months.
The Events: Overmountain advertises their upcoming food trucks, art classes, harvest volunteer opportunities, and wine dinners on their Instagram account.
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The Souther Williams Vineyard is tucked into a valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Souther Williams Vineyard
The Vibe: Souther Williams Vineyard has been growing grapes for a long time, but the tasting room is a new addition to this beautiful locale. The laid-back, intimate tasting room attracts people from all walks of life who enjoy fine wine and mountain living.
The Wine: Souther Williams’ selection stands a bit apart from the other North Carolina wineries mentioned in this piece. In their words, “Our current grape varietals which originate from Austria, Eastern Europe, Germany, and Russia are primarily cooler climate varietals growing at higher altitudes with shorter growing seasons. They include three whites, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling and Vidal Blanc, along with five reds Cynthiana (Norton), Blaufrankish (Lemberger), Regent, Saperavi, and Cabernet Franc.”
You should definitely do a tasting, and be sure it includes the Blaufränkisch and Grüner Veltliner.
The Food: Souther Williams’ tasting room is constantly evolving, but it offered cheese boards and light snacks during our most recent visit.
The Grounds: While most of the North Carolina wineries are located high on the hilltops of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Souther Williams Vineyard is nestled in the valley of Hoopers Creek. Vines surround the primarily open-air tasting space, and the mountains rise up in the distance at this scenic winery.
The Events: You can regularly expect live music, food trucks, and goat yoga at Souther Williams Vineyard. You’ll also find hike n’ sip events, wine pairings, and the occasional luxury picnic in the vines on the calendar.
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Be sure to try all these North Carolina wineries on your next visit to Asheville or the Blue Ridge Mountains!
More North Carolina Wineries:
Sawyer Springs Vineyard & Winery
Do you love North Carolina wineries? What’s your favorite North Carolina vineyard? And what’s your favorite wine? Drop it in the comments below!