Driving through lush, rolling hills striped in grape vines, it’s almost impossible to imagine rust-brown, empty former tobacco fields in their place—but that could easily have been the reality for most of Yadkin Valley, if the seed of change hadn’t been purposefully planted and nurtured by a handful of passionate locals.
Grow grapes from tobacco soil? Many said it couldn’t be done—but former farmers, wine enthusiasts and construction developers Charlie and Ed Shelton believed the red clay of Yadkin Valley shared climate and growing conditions with some of the best wine-growing regions in Europe, and founded Shelton Vineyards in 1999 to prove it. To cultivate this fledgling industry and a workforce for it, the brothers set out to transform their region’s trajectory through innovative partnerships and programs to come.
“They wanted to get into the wine business—there were only about twelve wineries in North Carolina at that time—and they also knew that tobacco was on its way out,” reflects Mandy Houser of Shelton Vineyards, Charlie’s daughter. In fact, the state already had a program called the Golden Leaf Foundation in place, which provided grants to assist farmers with transitioning their tobacco crops. “They believed in giving back to the community and investing in their state, so they provided the seed money to start a viticulture and enology program at Surry Community College.”
The goal of the program: create a place where people from all across the region could learn how to successfully grow grapes, make wine, and start a new chapter for their struggling tobacco and dairy farms. “And several years later, they helped build the college’s Shelton-Badgett North Carolina Center for Viticulture & Enology (SBVE), which gives the industry a place to gather for seminars, events, educational outreach, and more,” Houser says.
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills along the Yadkin River, Yadkin Valley became North Carolina’s first federally approved American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2003—another
accomplishment spearheaded by the Shelton brothers to help advance the region. “At the time, they realized that one of the biggest challenges was convincing people to pull a bottle of wine from North Carolina off the shelf,” adds Houser, noting that there wasn’t enough awareness around the caliber of wine the region was producing. “It took a couple of years—and piles of paperwork—but it was instrumental to what this area is now. It allowed winemakers the distinction of putting the AVA designation on their label, and what that designation helps achieve. It paved the way for other AVAs to be created, too,” Houser says, referring to the Swan Creek region, which was recognized as its own AVA five years later. “Today, there are five AVA regions in North Carolina, over 150 wineries.”
Five Pro Planning Tips for your Yadkin Valley Excursion
Let an expert drive. With high gas prices as high as they are, why not sit back, relax and
book a tour guide or shuttle? It’s a safer way to indulge, too.
- Don’t overbook your day. You can always add more wineries to your itinerary, but start
with too many and you’ll be left feeling rushed. - Check their hours. Many tasting rooms still require reservations, and some are closed on
Mondays, for renovations or weddings. - Pack a picnic lunch. While there are plenty of wineries with restaurants on-site, you’ll save
money and skip the long wait by bringing your own snacks. - Know what you’re looking for. Try to pick wineries with styles you like that are close to one
another, so you spend more time tasting and less time driving.
A Hub for Viticulture Innovation
At the Shelton-Badgett North Carolina Center for Viticulture & Enology, you’re just as likely to run into California vineyard owners and aspiring Asheville winemakers as you are local high school students. And for good reason: this hospitable community, set across sprawling, idyllic acres of vines, is home to a world-class institute.
“We’re a state-of-the-art, 2,500-gallon bonded educational winery—the only one in this state, and there’s only two on the East Coast,” says David Bower, enology instructor at Surrey Community College. “One of the key components of the center is that we have a high-end vineyard facility across the street, with a brand new sustainable agriculture building, hydroponics and microbiology labs, a vineyard shop, and a classroom.”
Although Yadkin Valley’s terrain and climate are similar to those of France’s Burgundy and Italy’s Piedmont wine regions, what makes the valley a hub for innovation is the community’s collective desire to look beyond conventionally successful varieties by embracing new and native plantings. “With over fifteen different varietals growing, we’re doing a lot of testing to understand what grows well in this region, what hybrids can stand up to our heat and humidity,” adds David Bower. “We train students on the specific varietals that thrive here—it’s very focused, applicable knowledge. There’s a lot of innovation happening right here in the South, a lot of students and upcoming winemakers who want to transform the industry—and being at the forefront of that is amazing.”
Two Ways to Explore: Pick Your Own or Pick a Trail
Most visitors pick out the wineries that appeal to them ahead of time, and plot out an itinerary that fits their schedule. If you don’t derive joy out of making lists, however—or just aren’t sure what you’re looking for—don’t sweat planning a trip when you can simply pick a trail to follow.
Each trail is like a small community of wineries and vineyards that are all located in the same
convenient area, often along the same stretch of road—although their settings, offerings, and events might be radically different.
The Swan Creek Wine Trail is home to six family-owned vineyards that are an easy drive from the Triad area coming from the east, Charlotte from the south or Wilkesboro and Boone from the north. The Yadkin River Wine Trail includes five diverse wineries—one with llamas—and the Shallow Ford Wine Trail boasts four vineyards just a short drive from Winston-Salem. The Southern Gateway Wine Trail features world-class wines and wine country scenery, plus quite a few renowned barbecue restaurants. This fifteen-minute drive is in the heart of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area.
A Buzz-worthy Gift
Want to wow someone? A handful of companies offer neatly packaged, pre-paid tours in the form of a gift card, like the aptly named Yadkin Valley Shuttle Service.
Our Favorite Wineries in Yadkin Valley
With more than seventy local wineries scattered throughout the Yadkin Valley AVA, Swan Creek AVA, and beyond, the options range from boutique and micro-wineries to prominent brand-name producers with warehouses, bottling lines, and tank farms. It can feel like a lot to pick from—so we’ve rounded up a handful of TOWN favorites to help.
[Begin Graphic-Driven Call-outs below – maybe need to leave out a few for space, as design allows]Shelton Vineyards is the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. It features ninety acres of grapes, a sprawling tasting room, award-winning restaurant, and walking trails on the grounds. Don’t miss the old-world charm of their tucked-away barrel cave.
Junius Lindsay Vineyard is a boutique, transportive experience where you’ll sip estate-grown, nationally acclaimed French-style wines. All of the grape varietals are native to the Rhône Valley of Southern France.
Elkin Creek Vineyard blends history with natural beauty as home to a century-old grist mill, winery, vineyard, creek, and waterfall. Their kitchen serves up mouthwatering brick oven pizzas on Sundays.
Native Vines Winery is the first American Indian-owned winery in the country. Located on thirty- six acres of rolling pasture and woodland where arrowheads can still be found, the winery boasts a unique line of refreshing green tea wines.
Jones Von Drehle Vineyards and Winery serves estate wines in a stunning setting, where the emphasis is on hand-picking grapes and a light hand with the oak. Their award-winning Viognier is a must-try.
Adagio Vineyards is a welcoming winery that produces European-style dry wines. Owned by violin makers, Adagio’s Petit Verdot is music in a glass. Bonus: they’re an exceptionally kid-friendly winery, so bring the family.
JOLO Winery and Vineyards sits 900-plus feet above sea level with sweeping views of Pilot Mountain. Try their Pilot Fog, a wine made of native cynthiana grapes, and keep your eyes open for fun events on their calendar.
Laurel Gray Vineyards is one of the most sustainable Yadkin Valley wineries. Visit the Swan Creek AVA to sample their award-winning chardonnay or cabernet franc across from the estate’s serene pond.
Dobbins Creek Vineyards, also in the Swan Creek AVA, boasts incredible views from Hemric Mountain. Enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and an incredible chardonnay at this pet-friendly property.
REGION-LOVING VARIETALS TO LOOK FOR
Adventurous enthusiasts, rejoice: this is no one-note AVA. Get ready to see some exciting and
unusual wines on the tasting menu.
- Cabernet Franc – Red
Style: Dry, medium to full body
Tasting Notes: Black pepper, black cherry, plum - Chambourcin – Red
Style: Dry, light to medium body
Tasting Notes: Dark fruit, vanilla, spice - Merlot – Red
Style: Dry, Medium to full body
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, cherry, plum, chocolate - Vidal Blanc – White
Style: Dry to slightly sweet
Tasting Notes: Floral, tropical fruit - Traminette – White
Style: Dry to slightly dry
Tasting Notes: Floral, citrus fruit, pepper - Tannat – Red
Style: Dry, full body
Tasting Notes: Black fruit, delicate spice
Palate Cleansers
Bring balance to your weekend by sneaking in some zen between wine tastings.
- Take to the Trails: Don’t miss Stone Mountain State Park, a local favorite for hikers with a
range of scenic trails from tough to easy. - Book a Spa Session: The Spa at Eseeola Lodge is a great option for casual indulgence,
with elevated treatments in a relaxed setting. - Paddle the River: Visit all-in-one outfitter Rocky Forest River Run to plan a scenic morning
or thrilling afternoon on the water. - Seek Out Sweets: Explore culinary heritage by sampling local sonker, a fruity dessert
with a devoted following. Tip: start on the Surry Sonker Trail. - Browse for Bliss: The historic Rockford General Store in Dobson is always fun—and souvenir
shopping is a pleasant way to take a post-tasting breather.
Mark your Calendars
- Yadkin Valley Wine Festival (September)
- Mayberry Days (September)
- Autumn Leaves Festival (October)
- 2022 Southeastern United Grape and Wine Symposium (November)
For more tips about visiting Yadkin Valley, go to visittheyadkinvalley.com
