Yadkin Valley Wineries

A New Hot Spot for Wineries?

It may not have the history of the Napa Valley or the “buzz” of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, but the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina is quickly becoming known as a hot spot for wineries.

With its rolling foothills, the scenic Yadkin Valley begins just south of the Virginia state line near Interstate 77 and stretches west into the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, east to just past Winston-Salem, N.C., and south to just past Lexington, N.C.

From Tobacco to Merlot

Before Prohibition, North Carolina produced more wine than any other state. But the nationwide ban on the manufacture and sale of alcohol essentially killed North Carolina’s wine industry, and few wineries in the state reopened after the 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933.

Over the years, North Carolina farmers built a reputation for being skillful at growing tobacco, not grapes. The Yadkin Valley, with its mixture of clay and loam soils, provides excellent drainage for growing tobacco. But as use of tobacco declined, farmers in the region looked for other profitable crops to grow. They learned quickly that the state’s long, warm growing season and mild winters make it ideal for growing grapes.

The Yadkin Valley’s wine industry took a big step forward in 2003 with the designation of the Yadkin Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA), which allowed wineries to bottle under a single geographic pedigree. This AVA was the first AVA in North Carolina and brought new wineries to the Yadkin Valley, with about 20 opening between 2003 and 2008.

According to the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail® Web site, nine more wineries plan to open by late 2009.

Rolling Hills and Beautiful Vistas

The Yadkin Valley now includes all or part of two AVAs: Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek. Many winemakers consider Yadkin Valley the best terroir, or wine-grape climate and growing conditions, in North Carolina.

Commonly planted vinifera grape varieties in the western and Piedmont regions of North Carolina include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Viognier. Harvest time for Yadkin Valley grapes generally lasts from late August to early October.

Touring the Yadkin Valley

Traveling between wineries can be a perfect way to spend a weekend. If you want to plan your own trip, consider visiting NCWineValley.com, which includes a trip planner and links to Web sites for many of the wineries in the Yadkin Valley. The Yadkin Valley Wine Trail® Web site, www.yadkinvalleywinetrail.com, includes links to Web sites of more than two dozen wineries. If you don’t want to plan your own tour, Yadkin Valley Wine Tours offers excursions on Saturdays between April and November that stop at three or four wineries.

Here is a list of wineries and vineyards in the Yadkin Valley:

Allison Oaks Vineyard (AllisonOaksVineyards.com)
221 East Mail Street, Yadkinville 27055 Phone: 336.677.1388
The tasting room is located on East Main Street.

Benny Parsons Rendezvous Ridge (RendezvousRidge.com)
172 Benny Parsons Road, Purlear 28665 Phone: 336.973.7375
Parsons, a car racing champion, opened his vineyard and winery on land that had been in his family for years. A tasting room and racing museum are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. They are located in the lower part of a house that Parsons was building at the time of his death.

Brushy Mountain Winery (BrushyMountainWine.com)
125 West Main Street, Elkin 28621 Phone: 336.835.1313
Located in historic downtown Elkin, this winery is housed in a building that dates to the 1900s. Hours vary by the season, so call for information.

Buck Shoals Vineyard (BuckShoalsVineyard.com)
6121 Vintner Way, Hamptonville 27020 Phone: 336.468.9274
The tasting room is in a log cabin in the middle of a 7.5 acre vineyard. It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Free winery tours are held each weekend or by appointment. Food for sale includes bread, cheese, mustard and wine jellies.

Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery (scheduled to open in late 2008)
170 Heritage Vines Way, Elkin 28621 Phone: 336.366.3301

Childress Vineyards (ChildressVineyards.com)
1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington 27295 Phone: 336.236.9463
In the spring, the tasting room is open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Hours may vary by the season. Winery tours are given at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and on the hour between noon and 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The Bistro serves lunch with an Italian flair on Mondays through Saturdays and offers brunch on Sundays.

Dobbins Creek Vineyards (DobbinsCreekVineyards.com)
4430 Vineyard View Lane, Hamptonville 27020 Phone: 336.468.4770
Dobbins Creek Vineyards is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays; from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Elkin Creek Vineyard (ElkinCreekVineyard.com)
318 Elkin Creek Mill Road, Elkin 28621 Phone: 336.526.5119
The facility closes for private events so call before visiting. The Kitchen at Elkin Creek features rustic northern Italian dishes inspired by the seasons.

Flint Hill Vineyards (FlintHillVineyards.com)
2133 Flint Hill Road, East Bend 27018 Phone: 336.699.4455
In March through December, the tasting room is open from noon to 9 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. In January and February, the room’s hours are more limited – from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Century Kitchen is a full-service fine dining restaurant offering dinner, lunch and brunch.

Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery (GrassyCreekVineyard.com)
235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road 28676 Phone: 336.835.2458 (tasting room)
Grassy Creek’s grounds and gardens can be rented for special events, and cabin rentals also are available. The tasting room is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays, or by appointment. In January and February the tasting room is open on Saturdays and Sundays only.

Hanover Park Vineyard (HanoverParkWines.com)
1927 Courtney-Huntsville Road, Yadkinville 27055 Phone: 336.463.2875
The winery and vineyard are open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Hanover Park is closed on some holidays. The fee for tasting all of the winery’s offerings – about 12 – is $10, or five wines for $5. You can keep the glass.

Hutton Vineyards (HuttonWinery.com)
176 Hutton Vineyards Lane, Dobson 27017 Phone: 336.374.2621
Tours and tastings are held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p .m. on Sundays. The 45-acre property is less than a mile from historic Rockford.

Laurel Gray Vineyards (LaurelGray.com)
5726 Old US Hwy 421 West, Hamptonville 27020 Phone: 336.468.9463
Tastings are offered on Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Laurel Gray is closed in January. Wine tastings are $5 and include a souvenir glass. Guided vineyards tours are held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. and cost $5 per person.

McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks (McRitchieWine.com)
315 Thurmond Post Office Road, Thurmond 28683 Phone: 336.874.3003
The winery is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays or by appointment. Picnics are permitted.

Old North State Winery & Brewery (CarolinaHarvestWines.com)
308 N. Main Street, Mount Airy 27030 Phone: 336.789.9463
Started as a cooperative in 2002, the winery is now owned by two families. It is located in a former mercantile building; the vineyards are on nearby farms. The building also includes a restaurant, 308 Bistro. The winery is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays through Wednesdays; from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays through Saturdays; and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Winery tours are held on Mondays through Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery (Raffaldini.com)
450 Groce Road, Ronda 28670 Phone: 336.835.9463
The tasting room is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays; from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays; and other times by appointment. The tasting room and vineyards are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Tastings of wines available for purchase are $5. The price includes a souvenir glass.

RagApple Lassie Vineyards (RagAppleLassie.com)
3724 RagApple Lassie Lane, Boonville 27011 Phone: 866.RAGAPPLE
Named for a beloved calf, RagApple Lassie Vineyards is open daily from noon to 6 p.m. for wine tastings of up to 11 varieties. Tours are available by request, and a guest house is on site.

RayLen Vineyards and Winery (RaylenVineyards.com)
3577 US Hwy 158, Mocksville 27028 Phone: 336.998.3100
RayLen Vineyard is open for tastings and tours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Red or white flights are $5 per person; complete flights are $8.

Round Peak Vineyards (RoundPeak.com)
765 Round Peak Church Road, Mount Airy 27030 Phone: 336.352.5595
Tasting room hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays through Saturdays; and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The room is open in January and February by appointment.

Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery (SandersRidge.com)
2300 Round Hill Road, Boonville 27011 Phone: 336.677.1700
The tasting room will open in May 2009 and serve guests from noon to 6 p.m. every day. The vineyards are open daily for hiking. The Big Woods restaurant serves lunch and dinner.

Shadow Springs Vineyard (ShadowSpringsVineyard.com)
5543 Crater Road, Hamptonville 27202 Phone: 336.468.5000
A 5,000-square foot tasting room is technologically equipped for parties or meetings. It is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays; from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays; or by appointment.

Shelton Vineyards (SheltonVineyards.com)
286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson 27017 Phone: 336.366.4724
Tours and tastings are offered daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. The winery is closed on year Easter, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For $5 you can sample five wines, take a guided tour of the 33,000 square-foot winery, and bring home a souvenir glass. The Harvest Grill Restaurant offers upscale dining.

Stony Knoll Vineyards (StonyKnollVineyards.com)
1143 Stony Knoll Road, Dobson 27017 Phone: 336.374.5752
In January and February, the winery is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. From March through December, it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays. Tastings and wine by the glass are $5.

Surry Community College Winery (Surry.edu)
630 South Main Street, Dobson 27017 Phone: 336.386.3408
The community college offers a two-year Viticulture and Enology Technology degree. Tours of the school’s facility are available by appointment.

Weathervane Winery (WeatherVaneWinery.com)
1452 Welcome Arcadia Road, Lexington 27295 Phone: 336.793.3366
Visitors can taste Weathervane’s 14 wines for $5 and keep the wine glass. The tasting room is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

Westbend Vineyards (WestbendVineyards.com)
5394 Williams Road, Lewisville 27023 Phone: 866.901.5032 or 336.945.5032
The tasting room is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Wine tours are given at noon, 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. A $3 per person fee is charged. According to Westbend’s Web site, Wine Spectator has scored Westbend wines the highest of any wines made in North Carolina.