10 Wineries In North Carolina's Yadkin Valley That Pair Perfectly With Fall Leaves

The perfect fall activity is waiting for you in North Carolina.

There’s never a bad time to go wine tasting with friends or family, but there’s something about the coziness of fall that makes visiting wineries even more appealing. While places like Virginia have been known for their picturesque vineyards for years, there’s another wine region you should be putting on your fall bucket list ASAP. 

“The weather in the fall in the Yadkin Valley is perfect with cool nights and warm days,” says Nicole Chesney, Executive Director of the NC Wine and Grape Council, “and its location at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains makes it perfect for leaf peeping, as the valley bursts into color with red, orange and gold leaves.”

The Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) stretches over seven counties in the northwestern part of North Carolina, from around Mount Airy down to the Winston-Salem area and over to the Blue Ridge foothills near Blowing Rock. It’s the oldest AVA in the state and has over 40 wineries to visit. 

“Fall in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley offers travelers an authentic wine country experience without the crowds,” says Scott Peacock, Director of Marketing and Communications for Visit NC, noting the “rolling vineyard landscapes, vibrant foliage, and award-winning wines that come together for an unforgettable getaway.”

Peak fall foliage isn’t estimated to be in full force in the Yadkin Valley until late October to early November, so there’s plenty of time to plan a visit to one (or a few!) of these 10 wineries.

Shelton Vineyards

Dobson, North Carolina, is a bit off the beaten path but you won’t have to worry about that as the owners also own a Hampton Inn a couple miles away that provides shuttle service to and from the vineyard. There’s also a farm-to-table restaurant serving lunch and dinner on the vineyard’s estate.

Shelton Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in North Carolina and the original owners, a pair of brothers, are credited with petitioning the government for the Yadkin Valley to be formally recognized as an AVA. Several of their wines have 90 point ratings or higher from Wine Enthusiast, making them great to sip on while taking a stroll through the vineyards or at home.

sheltonvineyards.com 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson, NC 27017

JOLO Winery and Vineyards

Pilot Mountain sits in the background of this vineyard, providing picture-perfect views year round. Take some time after your tasting to wander the property. Guests are welcome to walk through the vines or down to the pond on-site. JOLO does require reservations for any tasting or to dine in their restaurant, so make sure to call ahead to make your plans. 

The vineyard is about thirty minutes from Winston-Salem, but the owners have partnered with the Cardinal Kimpton hotel downtown for preferred rates. You could always relax in the quiet countryside drinking wine for the day and spend the evening city-side to get the best of both worlds.

jolovineyards.com, 219 JOLO Winery Lane, Pilot Mountain, NC 2704

Round Peak Vineyards

You’ll find this darling vineyard and tasting room nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains with sweeping views all around. They grow a mix of Italian and French grape varieties and make their own beer and cider, too, if you need a break from drinking wine.

There’s live music every Saturday and a covered patio that will keep you warm and toasty during chillier fall days. If that’s not enticing enough, the vineyard is kid- and dog- friendly to make sure everyone has a great time. 

Tastings are available every day April through December and then during weekends January through March. For a true escape, rent one of the two cabins available on the property so you can eat, sleep, and drink wine.

roundpeak.com, 765 Round Peak Church Rd, Mount Airy, NC 27030

Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery

You’ll find Raffaldini’s wines in high-end restaurants like the Fearrington House Restaurant  and Herons at The Umstead, which is a tip-off that this is a must-visit spot in the Swan Valley, a sub-appellation of the Yadkin Valley. 

The vineyard specializes in dry Italian-style wines like Sangiovese and Montepulciano and Raffaldini is known for serving the “chianti of the Carolinas.” It’s possible you’ll think that you’ve ended up in Italy with the Tuscan-inspired tasting room. Right now there are food trucks many weekends, but you can pack a picnic to eat as well. After a day of tasting, spend the night just down the road at Little Heaven Bed & Breakfast.

raffaldini.com, 450 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC 28670

Jones von Drehle

Great wines, great times, under Blue Ridge mountain skies. That’s the motto for the team behind Jones von Drehle, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to experience all three aspects with a visit to this winery. Some favorites include their Tryst & Twyne white, a blend of three different grapes as well as their Petite Manseng, the latter of which has won a best in class and double gold award from the San Francisco Chronicle wine competition.

After a tasting, do a quick change and go for a hike at nearby Stone Mountain State Park to feel the crunch of leaves beneath your feet. 

jonesvondrehle.com, 964 Old Railroad Grade Road Thurmond, NC 28683

Piccione Vineyards

Go for the trifecta and visit Piccione, Raffaldini, and Dynamis for a lovely fall afternoon of wine tasting. All three are in Yadkin Valley’s sub-appellation Swan Creek and only a little over an hour from Charlotte. 

All of the wines at Piccione are estate-grown from the vineyard’s 10 acres, so while you sit on the expansive outdoor patio overlooking the vines you’ll be looking at the grapes that will eventually make it to your glass. They specialize in dry Italian style wines but also typically have a fun frozen wine cocktail on offer. For the fall, they’ll be serving a frozen apple cider wine cocktail.

piccionevineyards.com, 2364 Cedar Forest Rd, Ronda, NC 28670

Dynamis Estate Wines

Get a group of six friends together so you can take the guided bus and walking tour that Dynamis Estate offers. You’ll get driven around the 1,500 acres that make up the vineyard and orchard before getting a tour of the winery and a private tasting at their private estate house. 

The vineyard was recently nominated for American Winery of the Year for their Bordeaux-style wines, the only North Carolina winery to have ever been nominated. Try their flagship wine called The Mountain while you’re there. It’s a blend of five different red grapes and is a nod to the vineyard’s high elevation. If you want to take your wine outside to enjoy the views, there are plenty of blankets on hand to borrow to snuggle up with.

dynamisestatewines.com/ 1004 Highland Rd, Jonesville, NC 28642

Elkin Creek Vineyards

Come for the wine and for the pizza. Every Sunday, the team at Elkin Creek offers made-to-order brick oven pizzas, but the catch is that they only make 30 each time. You’ll want to call ahead to reserve your pie so that you don’t end up disappointed. 

For the ideal fall wine, try their Dornfelder, a red made with a German grape variety. You’ll get notes of savory baking spices that will pair perfectly with cooler temps. 

If you want to fully immerse yourself in wine country for the weekend, there are four creek-side cabins on site at Elkin Creek Vineyards available to rent.

elkincreekvineyard.com, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road, Elkin, NC 28621

Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery

At Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, tastings are held in a converted horse stable that’s lovingly called the Red Barn today. Inside you’ll find a cozy fire burning in the stone fireplace when temperatures are cool enough. There’s also an outdoor pavilion with a fire pit if you’d prefer to be outside. Try the Red Barn Blend, a mix of merlot, syrah, and sangiovese grapes.

The vineyard also is a great jumping off point for hiking. The Grassy Creek trail runs from the tasting room about a mile and a half to Byrd’s Branch Campground which will connect you to several other trails. You’ll also find North Carolina’s first Forest Bathing trail on the property, a one mile loop meant to help you disconnect and soak in nature. 

grassycreekvineyard.com, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle State Road, NC 28676

Childress Vineyards

Located in Lexington, North Carolina, about a half hour away from High Point, Childress Vineyards calls itself the gateway to the Yadkin Valley. The winery is open every day starting at 10 am and there are multiple ways to taste, ranging from a self-guided sampling to the luxe wine tasting where you’ll pick six wines to learn about in their upscale Victory Lounge.

Lunch is available every day at the vineyard’s restaurant and there’s an expansive lawn that’s great for plopping a blanket down on to enjoy a bottle of wine.

Lexington is famous for its signature style of barbecue, so for a great weekend getaway spend one day wine tasting and one day sampling all of the best ‘cue the city has to offer.

childressvineyards.com, 1000 Childress Vineyards Rd, Lexington, NC 27295