May is North Carolina Wine Month: Explore NC's award-winning wineries
May is North Carolina Wine Month when more than 190 of the state’s wineries come to celebrate with special events and promotions.
North Carolina Wine Month gives wine lovers, along with those who enjoy cider and mead, an opportunity to connect with this growing segment of North Carolina’s craft beverage culture. As the industry has grown, so has the variety and quality of wines produced in the state.
“If you’ve never been to a North Carolina winery or haven’t been recently, N.C. Wine Month is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the quality and overall experience in our growing regions,” says Brianna Burns, executive director of the N.C. Wine & Grape Council. “Over the last two decades, North Carolina has become a farm-to-glass state.
“Our wines, ciders and meads are grown here and made here. It’s an agricultural success story that is gaining recognition nationally and internationally.”
Triangle-area wineries
ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
Address: 6225 Wake Forest Hwy, Durham, NC 27703
Hours:
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Thursday: 3 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: Noon to 11 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Description: ZincHouse sits on 87 acres of vineyards and treetop views, offering a selection of 400-plus wines and craft beers.
The main winery and brewery is 14,000 square-feet of air-conditioned space. There are also 7,300 square feet of outdoor roof decks overlooking the vineyard.
The pavilion is 3,300 square feet with vaulted ceilings and 8’x13’ windows that fully open to the romantic views of the pond and vineyard below.
The carriage house is 2,700 square feet of air-conditioned space plus, large, covered terraces that combine for a total of 5,700 square feet under a roof. It’s located right along the 13th hole fairway of the Falls Village Golf Course.
There is also a veranda near the vineyards and the Z-House of Bourbon and Cigar Bar.
The venue has live music and food trucks.
Mike and Kimberly Tenoever began building the ZincHouse in 2009, when they began to transform the land into the vision they had for the winery. ZincHouse was officially established in 2022.
Cloer Family Vineyards
Address: 8624 Castleberry Road, Apex, NC 27523
Hours:
Friday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Open year-round, but e closed on the following dates in 2024: July 5-6, December 27-28.
Description: Reservations are not required. Guests are welcome to enjoy wine flights, wine by the glass or wine by the bottle.
Indoor and outdoor seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A self-guided wine flight is $7.
There are five acres of grape vines to walk through for photographs. Visitors can also visit sheep and horses.
For 31 years, the Cloers were synonymous with landscaping – thanks to their family-owned business, Cloer Nursery. In June 2010, Tam, the second-generation owner of the nursery, expanded the family’s heritage by opening Cloer Family Vineyards.
Tam, who graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, developed an interest in winemaking as a young man when he befriended an elderly neighbor with a penchant for home winemaking.
In 1995, Tam drew on his personal winemaking experience and his agricultural knowledge. He started experimenting with grapes on his family’s 18-acre farm. He initially planted roughly 3,000 vines across five acres.
Chatham Hill Winery
Address: 8245 Chapel Hill Road, Cary, NC 27513
Hours:
Friday: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m. – 11 p.m. with bands from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Description: Chatham Hill Winery was established in 1999 — the fourteenth winery in North Carolina and the first winery in the Triangle.
The winery specializes in traditional European styles like Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The winery also offers charcuterie boards: $30 for a small board and $42 for a large one.
Chatham Hill Wine is also sold in several markets, including the North Carolina State Farmer’s Market.
Gregory Vineyards
Address: 275 Bowling Spring Drive #9052, Angier, NC
Hours:
Thursday: 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Noon – 9 p.m.
Description: On Feb. 7, 1987, the Gregory family opened Lane's Seafood and Steakhouse on 140 acres of the family farm near McGee's Crossroads.
Gregory Vineyards opened in 2009, bringing wine-to-bottle production.
The venue offers events and picnics too. Tickets start at $45 for events like the Mother's Day do-it-yourself charcuterie board or a brunch board with a wine mimosa.
Melanated Wine
Address: 4608 Industry Ln f, Durham, NC 27713
Hours:
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Description: Melanated Wine founder Lashonda Fort Modest is a merchant who buys North Carolina grapes, and then creates wine from it.
Modest is the founder of Durham's first Black-owned winery.
Modest says she loves creating blends with the different grape varietals and has received great feedback on the results.
Rock of Ages Winery and Vineyard
Address: 1890 Charlie Long Rd, Hurdle Mills, NC 27541
Hours:
Monday through Sunday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The winery is closed New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, EAster Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Dec. 24-27.
Description:
The Moore family invites visitors to visit the Rock of Ages Winery and Vineyard in the Hurdle Mills community in southwestern Person County.
The family designed the winery in an old English style with hints of Italian and Western lodge influences.
The venue is surrounded by 26 acres of vineyards and a four-acre lake.
No pets are allowed. No picnics are allowed either. The venue prohibits outside food and beverages.
Western NC wineries
JOLO Winery and Vineyards
Address: 219 JOLO Winery Lane
Pilot Mountain, NC 27041
Hours: Reservations are required to dine, book an event, participate in a wine tasting or participate in a cuvée experience.
Description: JOLO is named after the two sons of Kristen and JW Ray, Joey and Logan. The estate is located 20 minutes north of Winston-Salem, nestled in the foothills of the Piedmont Region in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina.
In 2023, JOLO’s rosé was named “best rosé on the planet” at the prestigious Rosé Competition during the American Fine Wine Competition.
JOLO offers various tasting and dining experiences, including nationally ranked End Posts’ Restaurant. JOLO provides exquisite indoor and outdoor seating for dining, along with group or private tasting options.
Biltmore Winery
Address: 1 Lodge St.
Asheville, NC 28803
Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. for the complimentary wine tastings.
Noon to 7 p.m. for the wine bar.
Admission: Guests must have a daytime ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass or a stay at one of the estate’s overnight properties.
Description: The Biltmore Winery is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville on George Vanderbilt’s 8,000-acre estate.
The Biltmore offers complimentary wine tasting in its tasting room each day from noon to 6 p.m. Guests must be 21 to be served wine. Grape juice is available for underage guests.
There is also an indoor-outdoor wine bar open each day from noon to 7 p.m. for charcuterie and locally-made truffles.
Biltmore wines have won several awards in North Carolina and in California.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Address: 588 Chestnut Gap Road
Hendersonville, NC, 28792
Hours:
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Description: Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is a vineyard and tasting room located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Established in 2008 on farmland that has been in the Ward family for centuries, Saint Paul’s became the first vineyard and winery in Henderson County.
Saint Paul’s offers tastings, live music, events, classes and pairing dinners. The winery has an open-air patio. In the cooler months, it also has a stone fireplace for guests.
Grandfather Vineyard and Winery
Address: 225 Vineyard Lane
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Hours:
Monday through Saturday: Noon to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Description: Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is located in between Banner Elk and Boone. The 10-plus acre establishment offers seating along the Watauga River. It is owned by the Tatum family.
Grove Vineyards and Winery
Address: 7360 Brooks Bridge Rd, Gibsonville, NC 27249
Hours: Open daily from noon to 6 p.m.
Description: The main estate vineyards, winery, event facilities and tasting room are located just 7 miles northeast of Greensboro.
To grow the fruit used in the wine Grove Vineyards owns two properties: The estate vineyard at Grove Vineyards & Winery in Guilford County within the Haw River Valley AVA and Vista Ridge Vineyards.
Grove Vineyards also works with and sources grapes from some of the leading grape farmers at places like Lenox Castle, B&S Vineyards and Storrs Vineyards, all down the road.
Reservations for a wine tasting start at $20 per person.
New ownership took over the Grove in June 2022.
Grove Vineyards grows more than 80% of the grapes used each year at the estate vineyards, which were first planted in 2002. Grapes include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Traminette and Tempranillo.
Piccione Vineyards
Address: 2364 Cedar Forest Rd, Ronda, NC 28670
Hours: The tasting room is open each day from noon to 6 p.m. Last call is at 5:30 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Description: In 2010, Piccione Vineyards was founded by Bill Piccione and his two sons, Billy and Steven, in the picturesque Swan Creek AVA of North Carolina.
For groups of eight or more guests, the vineyard asks for a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
Groups without a reservation may have to wait to do a tasting flight, but will be permitted to purchase by the bottle and by the glass. To make a reservation, call the Tasting Room at 336-571-1024.
Raffaldini Vineyards
Address: 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670
Hours: Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.
Monday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Description:
The building is a gorgeous stone manor. The surrounding area is lush and beautiful.
Within the Yadkin Valley, the family-owned Raffaldini Vineyards brings Tuscan charm to North Carolina.
Group reservations start at $30 per person. It includes a tasting experience guided by a Raffaldini staff member.
Reservations are encouraged. Walk-ins are accepted and will be seated if there is availability.
Marked Tree Vineyard
Address: 623 Deep Gap Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Hours
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Reservations are preferred Friday through Sunday.
Last call is 30 minutes before closing. The last wine tasting starts one hour before closing.
Description:
Marked Tree Vineyard is located on the Eastern Continental Divide between Mt. Pisgah and Tryon Peak. It offers stunning views from its tasting room.
NC wineries near the Atlantic Coast
Noni Bacca Winery
Address:
420 Eastwood Road
Suite 108
Wilmington, NC 28403
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Note: Wine tastings end one hour before close.
Closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Dec. 26.
Description:
Toni and Ken Incorvaia, proprietors of Noni Bacca Winery, relocated to Wilmington from Buffalo, New York. Both of their families of European descent helped shape and develop their wine-making skills.
Noni Bacca Winery produces more than 50 varieties of wine, earning 179 international medals since 2009.
The winery was established in 2007.
Sanctuary Vineyards
Address: 7005 Caratoke Hwy, Jarvisburg, NC 27947
Hours: Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Description: The Outer Banks vineyard and winery specializes in producing wines from locally grown grapes.
The tasting room most convenient to visitors is The Cotton Gin in Nags Head, an eclectic shop of beach apparel, gifts, home décor and anything you want or need to remind you of the Outer Banks.
The complimentary tasting consists of five wines of your choice that include whites, rosés and reds with styles from dry to sweet.
The vineyards and winery, however, are located at 7005 Caratoke Highway in Jarvisburg, a small town on the peninsula leading to the Outer Banks from Virginia.
Sanctuary Vineyards has won numerous national awards for its wines in recent years by embracing a variety of grapes, from native Muscadines to European Vinifera to French American hybrids. Sanctuary general manager John Wright says steady breezes and sunny days provide a quality growing climate along the coast.
Piedmont-area wineries
Dynamis Estate Wines
Address: 1004 Highland Road
Jonesville, NC 28642
Hours:
Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
Monday - Wednesday: Closed
Description: The backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains frames the 1,500 acres of North Carolina hill country at Dynamis Estate.
The property features a tasting lounge and a winery.
Vineyard flights are $45 per person and estate tastings are $55 per person. Reservations are required.
Jones Von Drehle Vinewayrds and Winery
Address: 964 Old Railroad Grade Road
Thurmond, NC 28683
Hours:
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.
Last tasting or bar service at 4:30 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
Description:
Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery is family owned and operated in the town of Thurmond. Chuck and Diana Jones and Ronnie and Raymond von Drehle are in-laws who had a mission to start a fine wine vineyard and winery in their home state of North Carolina. Their journey began in 2007 when they found the perfect land under the Blue Ridge Mountain skies.
The tasting room is open for reservations, which are encouraged. All tastings are done inside at the bar. Also, walk-ins are welcome capacity allowing.
Chloe the dog is the venue’s testing room greeter and delivery assistant for more than 14 years. She ran these hills as the vines were planted, and played in the mud while we were building "Chloe Hall."
The venue also features a concert series at its amphitheater.
General admission tickets are $35. A terrace table with an umbrella seats four people for $220. A lawn table and four chairs is $180. All shows start at 7 p.m. and gates open at 6 p.m.
Treehouse Vineyards
Address: 301 Bay St, Monroe, NC 28112
Hours:
Sunday through Thursday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Noon – 10 p.m.
Description: Full tastings are offered on the hour starting at noon at Treehouse Vineyards.
The venue also offers treehouse rentals with views of the vineyards.
Saturday rentals have a minimum booking requirement of two hours.
Rentals are typically $50 per hour.
People can also stay overnight at Papa's Dream treehouse for $150 per night from Sunday through Thursday and $200 per night on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Nordan family decided to plant its first vines in spring 2005. Since then, the family has planted eight varieties of muscadines.
The venue does not allow outside beverages of any kind.
Pets are not allowed on the property. However, service dogs are allowed.
Shelton Vineyards
Address: 286 Cabernet Lane
Dobson, NC 27017
Hours:
Tasting Room & Retail
Monday – Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 6 p.m.
Harvest Grill
Reservations are recommended.
Wednesday and Thursday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Description: Shelton Vineyards is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The winery offers several different types of tours:
- Regular tour and tasting for $15 per person: This includes a guided tour of the 33,000-square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process and a tasting of five wines from the regular tasting list.
- Reserve tour and tasting for $38 per person: This includes a guided tour of the 33,000-square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process, a tasting of the reserve wines. The tasting is held in the tasting room of the winery.
- Grand tour and tasting for $50 per person with a two-person minimum: Advance reservations are required. Guests get to enjoy the intimate setting of the winery’s barrel room. Staff pour pre-selected wines paired with a chef’s selection of artisan cheeses and meats. It also includes a private tour of the 33,000-square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process.
A 48-hour notice of cancellation before reservation day is required to receive a full refund. Anything after that will result in being charged the full amount.
- Gazebo Tour and Tasting for $70 per person with a four-person minimum: Advance reservations are required. Guests experience breathtaking views from the elevated gazebo as they sample pre-selected reserve wines paired with lite bites prepared by the chef. It includes a private tour of the 33,000-square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process and a souvenir crystal wine glass.
A 48-hour notice of cancellation before reservation day is required to receive a full refund. Anything after that will result in being charged the full amount.
Note: Did we miss any North Carolina wineries that we should include in this guide? Email Mark Bergin at mbergin@wral.com if we did!
