By Tucked into the rolling Blue Ridge foothills of northwestern North Carolina, the Yadkin Valley is the South’s answer to wine country: a patchwork of vineyards, tasting rooms, and farm tables that sits on roughly the same latitude as parts of the Mediterranean. As North Carolina’s first federally designated American Viticultural Area, the Yadkin Valley has spent two decades proving that vinifera grapes like Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Italian varietals can thrive in Carolina soil. Whether you have a single afternoon or a long weekend, this is one of the easiest and most rewarding tasting getaways in the Carolinas.
Why the Yadkin Valley Became Wine Country
The Yadkin Valley AVA was established in 2003, spearheaded by Charlie and Ed Shelton of Shelton Vineyards, making it the first appellation of its kind in North Carolina. The region’s appeal is no accident. Moderate elevations, well-drained loamy soils, and a temperate climate moderated by the nearby Yadkin River create growing conditions that suit a wide range of grapes. Expressive reds do especially well here, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, and several producers have leaned into warm-climate Italian varieties that feel right at home in the foothills.
Today the broader region is home to dozens of wineries, with the Surry County Wine Trail alone linking more than a dozen vineyards across the towns of Mount Airy, Dobson, Elkin, and Pilot Mountain. For the official statewide picture, including downloadable trail maps and a full directory, the North Carolina Wine site and the state tourism board at Visit NC are the best starting points.
The Wineries Worth Building a Day Around
You could spend a week here, but most travelers anchor a visit around three or four estates. The wineries below range from the state’s largest family-owned operation to a boutique farm where llamas share the property with the vines. Hours change seasonally, so confirm by phone before you set out, especially if you are visiting on a weekday.
Shelton Vineyards (Dobson)
The estate that helped launch the entire AVA remains its most iconic stop. Shelton Vineyards is North Carolina’s largest family-owned estate winery, set on a sweeping property where the tasting room, vineyards, and an on-site restaurant, the Harvest Grill, are arranged for an easy half-day visit. Come for a flight, stay for lunch on the patio, and walk a stretch of the grounds between courses. It makes an excellent first or final stop on any Yadkin Valley itinerary.
- Address: 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, NC 27017
- Phone: (336) 366-4724
- Website: sheltonvineyards.com
- Good to know: Tasting hours vary by season; call ahead to confirm current tasting room and Harvest Grill hours before your visit.
Raffaldini Vineyards (Ronda)
If you only have time for one photograph-worthy stop, make it Raffaldini. Modeled on a Tuscan estate and often described as “Chianti in the Carolinas,” this hilltop winery specializes in Italian-style wines and bold reds grown from Italian grape varieties that flourish in the foothills. The Villa and its terraces look out over rows of vines and rolling hills, and the experience is built around taking your time.
- Address: 450 Groce Road, Ronda, NC 28670
- Phone: (336) 835-9463
- Website: raffaldini.com
- Hours: Sunday 12 to 5 p.m., Monday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday
- Tastings: Seated table tastings are walk-in friendly for groups of eight or fewer. The guided Traditional Tasting and Tour runs $40 per person; private tours for groups of nine or more are $50 per person and require a reservation by email.
Childress Vineyards (Lexington)
Opened in 2004 by NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Childress, this is one of the region’s grandest and most polished destinations, with more than 70 acres under vine and a large portfolio of wines. The Tuscan-inspired complex includes a full bistro for lunch, making it a natural midday stop. It sits at the southern edge of the wine country near Lexington, so it pairs well with a visit to the famous Lexington-style barbecue the town is known for.
- Address: 1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington, NC 27295
- Phone: (336) 236-9463
- Website: childressvineyards.com
- Hours: Tasting room open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The on-site Bistro serves lunch Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Divine Llama Vineyards (East Bend)
For something the kids and the grown-ups will both remember, Divine Llama Vineyards combines an award-winning winery with the largest llama farm in the Southeast, spread across roughly 91 acres. Started in 2007, the estate grows Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, and Traminette and pours a lineup of around eleven wines. The signature experience is llama trekking, where you can walk the herd through the property, so book ahead because spots are limited.
- Address: 4126 Divine Llama Lane, East Bend, NC 27018
- Phone: (336) 699-2525
- Website: divinellamavineyards.com
- Hours: Thursday through Saturday 12 to 6 p.m., Sunday 1 to 6 p.m., closed Monday through Wednesday
- Good to know: Reserve llama treks in advance; availability is limited.
RagApple Lassie Vineyards (Boonville)
Named for a beloved family dairy cow, RagApple Lassie is a friendly, down-to-earth stop that captures the agricultural roots of this farming region. The tasting room and big red-barn aesthetic make it a relaxed counterpoint to the grander estates, and it sits conveniently between East Bend and the towns to the north.
- Address: 3724 RagApple Lassie Lane, Boonville, NC 27011
- Phone: (336) 367-6000
- Website: ragapplelassie.com
- Hours: Friday 12 to 6 p.m., Saturday 12 to 7 p.m., Sunday 12 to 6 p.m., with weekdays generally closed; confirm before visiting
How to Plan Your Tasting Route
The Yadkin Valley spreads across several counties, so a little geography goes a long way. A practical approach is to group wineries by area rather than crisscrossing the region. The northern cluster around Dobson and Ronda (Shelton and Raffaldini) pairs naturally with the small-town charm of Mount Airy, the real-life inspiration for Mayberry. The central area around East Bend and Boonville (Divine Llama and RagApple Lassie) works well as its own loop, and Childress sits to the south near Lexington.
Most tasting rooms open late morning and close by late afternoon or early evening, which means a realistic day covers two to three wineries with a lunch break in between, not five or six. Build in time to actually sit and enjoy the views, because the scenery is half the experience here.
Getting There and Where to Base Yourself
The region is an easy drive from the Piedmont Triad. Winston-Salem makes a comfortable home base with the widest range of hotels and restaurants, and the city’s tourism office offers helpful regional planning resources through Visit Winston-Salem. From there, the heart of the wine country is roughly a 30 to 45 minute drive. Smaller towns like Mount Airy, Elkin, and Dobson also offer inns, bed and breakfasts, and the kind of quiet that makes a wine weekend feel like a true escape.
When to Go
Tasting rooms are open year-round, but the Yadkin Valley is at its most photogenic from late spring through fall. Harvest season in late summer and early autumn brings vibrant vines and a lively events calendar, while spring delivers green hills and mild weather ideal for terrace tastings. Winter visits are quieter and more intimate, though some smaller wineries trim their hours, so always confirm in advance.
A Few Practical Tips Before You Pour
- Designate a driver or hire one. The roads between vineyards are rural and winding, and several wineries are spread far apart. A designated driver or a local tour shuttle keeps the day safe and relaxed.
- Call ahead on weekdays. Several wineries are closed early in the week or keep reduced off-season hours. A quick phone call prevents a wasted drive.
- Reserve tours and special experiences. Guided tastings, group visits, and llama treks frequently require advance booking, especially on weekends.
- Plan a real lunch. With on-site dining at Shelton (Harvest Grill) and Childress (the Bistro), you can build your day around a proper meal rather than snacking between tastings.
Plan your trip: Start with the official Yadkin Valley tourism site from the Tourism Partnership of Surry County for the current Surry County Wine Trail map, visitor centers, and seasonal events, then cross-check winery hours directly on each estate’s website before you go. The main Mount Airy visitor center is at 200 N. Main Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030, reachable at (800) 948-0949.