FYI: If you like wineries, our sister brand, Living in Winston-Salem, has a Calendar that focuses on events at these twelve wineries. Be sure to subscribe to the Living in Greensboro newsletter and Living in Winston-Salem newsletter. We’ll keep you updated as we continue to add content on the area’s best vineyards and wineries.
The Yadkin Valley wine region is a stone’s throw away from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, making a wine-country escape easy for those in the area. The region’s myriad wineries offer tours and events. You’re missing out if you’re a food and wine lover and have never explored the Yadkin Valley! It’s the best time of the year to visit, and we’re sharing our favorite spots and events to attend. Click the arrow for information on North Carolina’s winemaking history.
With around 200 wineries and 400 vineyards across the state, North Carolina ranks 10th in the U.S. for wine production. Surry and Yadkin counties have the state’s highest concentration of vineyards and wineries. Both counties are part of the Yadkin Valley wine region. Click the arrow for more on North Carolina’s brief winemaking history.
North Carolina’s wine tradition began just twenty years ago in the early 2000s. As tobacco farming has declined, entrepreneurs have tried their hand at winemaking and have perfected the recipe for growing European vines using the area’s soil and ideal climate. Vineyards began ‘cropping’ up everywhere (get it?), and it wasn’t just a phase. Yadkin Valley is the state’s oldest wine region and is only twenty years into its establishment – It was the first designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) in North Carolina. AVAs are designated wine-grape growing regions with specific geographical climate attributes and grape varietal production. These geographical boundaries define the wine and everything that goes into it, like the types of grapes grown and wines produced. Today, as North Carolina’s central wine region, the Piedmont has three AVAs, including the Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek, and Haw River Valley.
Divine Llama Vineyards
Yes, there are actual LLAMAS at Divine Llama Vineyards!
📍 4126 Divine Llama Lane, East Bend, NC, 27018
Hours:
Thursday 12:00 – 6:00 p.m
Friday 12:00 – 6:00 p.m
Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00 p.m
Sunday 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Know before you go
- If you’re only visiting the llama farm, there is a $10 per person admission fee.
- You must make a reservation for llama trekking.
- You are welcome to bring your own food. Occasionally, Divine Llama has food trucks.
- The tasting room and deck are dog-friendly, but dogs are not allowed on the farm or around the llamas.
- Children are allowed if they’re accompanied by a guest over 21. There is a $10 farm visit fee for kids over four.
Dynamis Estate Wines
Dynamis is a beautiful estate of five vineyards and breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
📍 1004 Highland Road, Jonesville, NC 28642
Hours:
Thursday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.
Know before you go:
- You can reserve a personalized tasting experience.
- The Vineyard Flight is a more casual tasting of five current releases with detailed tasting notes are enjoyed at your own pace. Reservations are required for a 60-minute reservation, $45 per person.
- The Estate Tasting is a private, in-depth tasting of the five current releases. Reservations are required for a 90-minute reservation, $55 per person.
- All guests must be 21 years old.
- No smoking, pets, or outside food.
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
Shermans Travel ranked Grassy Creek the #1 winery in North Carolina.
📍 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC 28676
Hours:
Thursday 12 – 6 p.m.
Friday 12 – 6 p.m.
Saturday 12 – 6 p.m.
Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
Monday 12 – 6 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Grassy Creek wines are dry, rich, and robust, while Klondike Farm table wines are sweeter, lighter, and fruitier.
- Pets are welcome.
JOLO Vineyards
OpenTable rated JOLO one of the 100 Best Brunch Restaurants in America, AND TripAdvisor rated JOLO one of the top seven wineries outside of California.
📍 219 JOLO Winery Lane, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041
Hours:
Thursday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Reservations are required for dining, cuvée experience, and wine tastings.
- Outside food and beverage is not allowed on the premises.
- Only beverages served are wine and water.
- No pets allowed.
Jones Von Drehle
📍 964 Old Railroad Grade Road, Thurmond, NC 28683
Hours:
Wednesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 to 5 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Reservations are encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome. Make your reservation here.
- Must be 21 and over to enjoy the Tasting Room.
- Pets and children can enjoy the patio, which is open for bottle and glass service. First come, first serve.
- A variety of cheeses, assorted crackers, and charcuterie options are available for purchase.
- No outside food.
- No smoking.
- Stone Mountain State Park is only minutes away and a great spot to enjoy a picnic.
- Open New Year’s Eve until 3 p.m. (not a bad idea).
Medaloni Cellars
Medaloni is just a ten-minute drive from Winston-Salem! They also have cabins available for rent for an overnight experience.
📍 9125 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, NC 27023
Hours:
Wednesday 2 – 8 p.m.
Thursday 2 – 8 p.m.
Friday 12 – 8 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Flights and Tastings are offered during all normal business hours (no reservations needed). Both are $15 per person.
- Food trucks are on site April through November.
- A small selection of snacks are available, including cheese, charcuterie, crackers, popcorn, and nuts.
- Outside food is allowed. There are multiple outdoor areas that are great for picnics.
- No outside alcohol is allowed on the property.
- In addition to wine, there’s a small selection of domestic, import, and craft beers.
- Wine slushies sold April-November.
- Nonalcoholic drinks: Le Blue bottled water, San Pellegrino, and Sunshine energy drinks
Laurel Gray Vineyards
Enjoy some delicious wine and relax on the veranda while overlooking the beautiful vineyards, pond, and winery grounds at Laurel Gray Vineyards.
📍 5726 W Old US 421 Hwy, Hamptonville, NC 27020
Hours:
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Open normal hours February – December. During the month of January, open on Saturdays ONLY.
- Tours are offered at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Must be 21.
- Pet-friendly.
- Educational vineyard tours are available each day at 2 and 4 p.m. The tour is conducted by owners, Kim or Ben Myers, or a senior staff member. Cost is $25 per person, with groups of four or more at $15.00 per person. Each tour lasts approximately 45-minutes.
Old North State Winery
Old North State is a winery, but the vineyard is on the owner’s family farm in Eastern North Carolina. Born and raised in Mt. Airy, founder Ben Webb wanted to do something to help the entire Mt. Airy economy. Rather than house the winery at the vineyard, he located Old North State in downtown Mt. Airy with the goal of re-establishing the downtown area as a vibrant, growing economic center. Today, Old North State Winery serves as one of the leading tourism destinations in the Yadkin Valley.
📍 308 North Main Street, Mt Airy, NC 27030
Hours:
Tuesday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Know before you go:
- No reservations for groups of eight or less.
- Wine Tastings: Reserve Tasting $15, Red Tasting $12, White Tasting $12, Sweet Tasting $10, Extended Tasting $20.
- The Chef’s Lunch: A three course meal prepared by Chef Chris right in front of you. This lunch introduces local farm fresh ingredients to your plate, with optional international wine pairings by Sommelier Ed. Wednesdays at 12 p.m. by reservation only. Call to make reservations: (336) 789-9463.
- Chef’s Table: A five course dining experience using local and seasonal ingredients. The sommelier pairs each dish with a different wine from around the world. You’ll never see the same dish twice, making it a one of a kind experience. Call to make reservations: (336) 789-9463.
- Thursday Night Tasting Club: Enjoy four international wines hand selected by Sommelier Ed Badgett III, paired with four hors d’oeuvres prepared by executive Chef Chris Wishart. Every Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Reservation only. $25.00 per person.
Piccione Vineyards
Piccione recently opened La Collina at Piccione Vineyards, a new event space that includes a new tasting room, event hall, library, courtyard, underground barrel room, bridal suite, and more.
📍 2364 Cedar Forest Road, Ronda, NC 28670
Hours:
Monday 12 – 6 p.m.
Tuesday 12 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 12 – 6 p.m.
Thursday 12 – 6 p.m.
Friday 12 – 6 p.m.
Saturday 12 – 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.
Know before you go:
- No outside food, coolers, or alcohol.
- Food trucks on-site on the weekends.
- Make a reservation in advance for groups of 8 or more people.
- Dog-friendly. Child-friendly.
- The Tasting Room is open everyday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m.
- See Guest Policy for more information.
Raffaldini Vineyards
Raffaldini is Chianti of the Carolinas!
📍 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670
Hours:
Sunday 12 – 5 p.m.
Monday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Know before you go:
- Must be 21+.
- Daily canopy rentals for the lawn are available for groups of 1-8 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Canopy rentals do not have a dedicated server. Wine and other items will need to be purchased in the tasting room by your party.
- Walk-ins are welcome.
RayLen Vineyards & Winery
Raylen is in Mocksville, just minutes from Winston-Salem. The tasting room is open 7 days a week—no need to book ahead for groups of 8 or less!
📍 3577 US Highway 158, Mocksville, NC 27028
Hours:
Monday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 12 – 6 p.m.
Serre Vineyard
📍 364 Beast Trail, Mt Airy, NC 27030
Open:
October 8th, 12 – 5 p.m.
November 11th, 12 – 5 p.m.
December 9th, 12 – 5 p.m.
Schedule appointments to visit on other dates.
Know before you go:
- Fall Fire Pit: $249 for up to 8 guests & includes 4 bottles of wine, s’mores kits, firepit, and Adirondack chairs around the fire.
- Tasting Flight Experience: $249 for up to 4 guests. Includes 4 Tasting Flights, 4 Bottles of Wine
- Just a Bottle Please!: $55 for up to 4 guests DETAILS: Already have a favorite Serre wine? Choose one (or more!) bottle and enjoy a couple of hours enjoying that famous Serre View.
- All experiences last for up to 2 hours and include wine. Beer may be added to any experience – ask the bartender in the tasting room.
- Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance.
- Charcuterie is available for purchase and must be added to your experience order 24 hours in advance.
- Offerings: Bottles, Glasses, & Flights of Wine, Domestic Tap Beer, Beast Trail Brewing & Skull Camp Beer.