Gorgeous Wineries Near Asheville Worth The Short Drive
Why not spend a day sipping wine on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains? As locals, these are our favorite wineries near Asheville for flights, bites, views, and delicious wines. We especially love Stone Ashe, Souther Williams, Eagle Mountain, and Mountain Brook.
And, as former Floridians (CT halfbacks here), we promise: no muscadine grapes. We also have a separate list full of our favorite Asheville wine bars. We have a reputation and our namesake to maintain. Let’s uncork!
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What You'll Find In This Guide
Wineries In Asheville
There are only two wineries in Asheville proper, Biltmore and pleb urban winery. These are great if you only have a short time in the city.
plēb urban winery
Pleb is by far the most unique out of the Asheville wineries, but this recommendation won’t be for everyone. They practice minimal intervention, small-batched winemaking with little to no alterations to the grape, juice, or wine. It’s very steel vibes, and their flights are fun. The wide-open spaces, bright murals (local artist Gus Cutty painted their logo), and stellar ambiance will stimulate your eyes and taste buds.
I most enjoy pleb’s classic reds and whites including their blends, Chambourcin, sparkling Riesling, and Grüner Veltliner. We occasionally attend themed monthly mimosa yoga. Plus, Asheville’s RAD District is one of our favorite neighborhoods for quieter restaurants, artist studios/shopping, and the RAD Riverwalk.
plēb urban winery | 89 Lyman Street in Asheville, NC
Biltmore Winery
There are multiple ways to experience wine at Biltmore Estate, America’s largest home, but all require you to have a daytime ticket, overnight property reservation, or annual pass (we have been passholders since moving here):
- Complimentary wine tasting at Biltmore Winery – Included with your visit, head to Antler Hill Village for a complimentary wine tasting; they even have grape juice for the littles.
- Wine at the Wine Bar – When our families are in town, next to the winery, we grab charcuterie, an outdoor table, and bottles to share.
- Wine Tours – We’ve done behind-the-scenes and chocolate-pairing additional $$ Biltmore tours that let you try reserves as well as enter areas of the estate that are off-limits to regular-ticket holders. These tours are great for fun facts and to taste even more wine before purchasing.
- Wine at any of the restaurants – Biltmore has excellent dining, and we most frequent Cedric’s Tavern and Stable Café. Along with wine, order their seasonal craft cocktails. The Library Bar promises breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountain views.
For whites, we prefer Biltmore’s Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. For reds, the Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Barbera are delicious. Before you head to Biltmore, peruse our local guide to the estate filled with things to do. Christmastime is especially magical.
Biltmore Estate | 1 Lodge St, Asheville, NC 28803
Fun Fact: Biltmore Winery is fairly young. In 1985, the winery took over Biltmore’s former dairy space. As you walk through the tunnel to the tasting room and wine shop, that’s where they used to transport the cow manure. Read more interesting Biltmore facts here.
Best Crest Of The Blue Ridge AVA Wineries (Hendersonville)
For the absolute best wineries near Asheville – whether you are a local or traveler – head to Henderson County. A great day trip by car, most of these wineries and vineyards are under one hour away. Below are our go-to’s, but also know Burntshirt Vineyards, Point Lookout Vineyards (the views!), and Sawyer Springs Vineyard (looks like a farm!) are here.
We have an entire guide dedicated to the Hendersonville wineries. We also have a things-to-do list for Hendersonville, including area restaurants (Umi and Haus Heidelberg), museums, apple orchards, hikes, and shops. We suggest spending the morning hiking DuPont State Forest – the triple waterfall hike – followed by lunch in Downtown Hendersonville and wine tasting.
Souther Williams Vineyard
One of the newer wineries near Asheville and Hendersonville – opened in 2022 – Souther Williams is an outdoor oasis for the 21+ crowd with a covered tasting bar and covered and uncovered seating. This sprawling 35-acre, family-owned farm has existed for over 200 years. It’s a beautiful space.
Enjoy a dog-friendly area, pond, lawn seating, and airy tasting room with rotating food trucks. For guided tastings, make a reservation. We pop in for a glass or tasting flight and bring all our out-of-town visitors here. My favorite wines include the Gruner Veltliner, Traminette, and Cab Franc. Find Saperavi, Regent, and Blaufränkisch along with both dry and slightly sweeter Riesling.
Souther Williams Vineyard | 655 Hoopers Creek Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Stone Ashe Vineyard
For incredible views and an utterly gorgeous tasting room (pun intended; you’ll see), Stone Ashe Vineyard is one of our all-time favorite Asheville wineries (opened mid-2020). Another 21+ space, they recommend reservations for parties of 4+ on weekends. We like to visit on quieter weekdays.
Stone Ashe Vineyards specializes in Bordeaux-based grape varieties. Find Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc Rosé, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Tom and I love Stone Ashe’s Cab Franc and Petit Verdot.
Stone Ashe Vineyard | 736 Green Mountain Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Saint Paul was one of the first wineries we visited before moving to Asheville in 2019, which means we have a soft, nostalgic spot for them. St. Paul has three locations: This vineyard in Hendersonville, a cidery less than a minute away (it’s pretty and last photo above), and a Flat Rock location.
Head here for a cozy indoor space with a blazing stone fireplace, patio seating perfect in spring, and rich but balanced wines. One year, we found ourselves sipping homemade stew from crockpots.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards produces some of Tom’s favorite North Carolina wines. The go-to red is their Chestnut Gap, and they have a series of Rieslings and Chardonnays that we enjoy along with a Petit Verdot and Merlot.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards | 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville NC, 28792
As a half-Celiac household, we love cideries like Saint Paul’s Appalachian Ridge. Peruse our full Asheville cidery and meadery list; quite a few are in Downtown Asheville.
Marked Tree Vineyard
Marked Tree Vineyard is the most atmospheric and romantic winery near Asheville. Picture dense but atmospheric fog encircling a modern tasting room with vineyard views. Sliding and windowed garage doors open up the tasting room to overlook the sprawling vineyards.
Enjoy numerous outdoor seating areas – picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and cafe tables – and spot a few ancient fireplaces throughout the property. Back in the day, people believed that ghosts settled in fireplaces. When someone tore down a house, the fireplace remained.
We especially like Marked Tree’s creative wine bottle labels filled with sketches of trees, owls, and their sweet dogs, who roam the property. Marked Tree Vineyards’ Chardonel is almost like a Moscato take on a Chardonnay, and find a delicious Cab Franc and Rosé. We most prefer their Watershed and Petit Verdot.
Marked Tree Vineyard | 623 Deep Gap Road Flat Rock, NC 28731
While here, explore all that you can do in Flat Rock, NC, including catching a play at the Flat Rock Rock Playhouse or visiting the Carl Sandburg Home.
Lesser-Known Wineries Near Asheville We Love
There are so many great Asheville wineries, we could not possibly name them all. These are just a few we enjoy scattered across Western North Carolina, close to Greenville, and on the way to Charlotte. All are under 1.5 hours away. We’ll end with Tryon Hills, which is similar to Henderson County.
Eagle Mountain Vineyards And Winery (Travelers Rest)
Just an hour from Asheville and open 7 days a week, we love Eagle Mountain Winery in Travelers Rest near Greenville, South Carolina. They source their grapes from California – yay, Russian River Valley wine! – and have a large outdoor seating area with a sculpture garden. Their stunning tasting room promises high ceilings and much-needed AC during those hot South Carolina summers. Can I DIY my own wine cork coffee table too?
Most notably, their guided tasting includes a glass of your favorite wine. In the summer, I cannot resist a “frose,” or wine slushie. Our favorite Eagle Mountain wines include the Albarino, Cab, and Zin. I won’t soon forget that deep oaky Chardonnay either. If you can, head here on a weekday to enjoy the chill vibes although they have music on weekends.
Eagle Mountain Vineyards And Winery | 2330 Highway 11, Travelers Rest, SC 29690
Less than 10 minutes away, head to Kennington Family Winery, which boasts a flight of juices for kids. They have the nicest staff, and I love their Radiance Red, Nebbiolo Reserve, and Dark Corner Red. (I’m not a huge fan of their whites, but you might be.)
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard And Winery (Lawndale)
One of the prettiest rustic wineries near Asheville around the Charlotte area, Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard is the furthest on this list at about 80 miles away and an hour and a half by car. We don’t get out this way too often, but it’s worth the drive if you are doing other things around the area (Lincolnton is a really fun little town to explore).
Housed in a former dairy, with wine flights in tiny milk jars to honor these roots, relax out on the patio or on their seemingly endless sprawling lawn under a tree or by their signature red barn. Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard rents out their barn for weddings so there is a quaint chapel on one side and a charming reception room inside, glowing with hanging lights.
Unlike many of the sweeter NC wines that you will find around the Charlotte area, they have traditional reds and whites. I like their Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Chambourcin.
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard And Winery | 3521 Fallston-Waco Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090
Linville Falls Winery (Linville)
Linville Falls Winery makes for a great resting stop after a morning exploring Grandfather Mountain or hiking parts of Linville Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls near AVL. And let’s face it: after walking across the Mile High Swinging Bridge, you might require a drink or two.
Pack a picnic and pull up an Adirondack chair as kids catch and release fish by the pond. Unique to Linville Falls Winery, they offer table service. In the winter, choose and cut your own Christmas tree. Find multiple Rieslings, sweet fruit wines (I won’t judge you…), and deep-bodied reds.
Linville Falls Winery | 9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland, NC 28657
Addison Farms Vineyard (Leicester)
Addison Farms is one of the best-kept secrets on this list. A fourth-generation family farm, Addison creates small-batch fine wines. They are one of the closest wineries near Asheville – about a 30-minute drive.
Enjoy serene outdoor seating overlooking the farm, mountains, and vineyards. Inside, find a fireplace with high wood beam ceilings. Or, pull up at the bar for a guided tasting; we’ve done and recommend all of the above.
Our favorite Addison Farms wines included the Vitalita (Sangiovese) and Five Twenty-Five (Barbera). Find Chambourcin, Tempranillo, Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, and Petit Manseng. Unique to Addison, they serve Alchemy Herbal Wine. These wines are loaded with vibrant flavors such as pepper and honey. Many of the Alchemy Herbal wines have floral notes.
Addison Farms Vineyard | 4005 New Leicester Hwy, Leicester, NC 28748
Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery (Morganton)
Silver Fork Winery in Morganton wasn’t on our radar until we visited Lake James. About an hour from Asheville, find a tucked-away property surrounded by breathtaking mountains. It can get a little toasty outside on a sunny day, so we’ve also sat inside (it’s small), playing wine trivia.
I like Silver Fork’s Cab Franc (which is so not like me), Four Dog Blend, and of course, any Chardonnay. We appreciate their wines so much, we’ve taken half a case home. Time to go restock…
Silver Fork Winery | 5000 State Rd 1133, Morganton, NC 28655
Tryon Foothills Wineries
Just an hour by car, the Tryon Foothills wineries in Polk County are worth the drive from Asheville; they have an AVA proposal in as we speak. You can wine hop all three pretty easily, but you will need a designated driver.
Mountain Brook Vineyards
Situated on 75 acres, Mountain Brook Vineyards boasts indoor and outdoor seating, and you don’t need reservations to grab a flight or glass on the lawn with sprawling views, fire pits, and a fireplace (whether or not we needed reservations was confusing to us the first time we visited). I’m a classic Riesling girl here.
They recently opened a new Experience Center if you are craving specific educational wine tastings. They ask you to reserve these in advance (bucket list item for us)! Nearby, we stop at Iron Key Brewing, a unique brewery serving delicious food, on the way back to Asheville.
Mountain Brook Vineyards | 731 Phillips Dairy Road, Tryon, NC 28782
Overmountain Vineyards
At Overmountain Vineyards, enjoy a family-owned farm with scenic views, plentiful covered and uncovered outdoor seating, a tasting room, and luxury villas. This is one of the Asheville wineries where you’ll find larger groups doing black van tours, and it can get a little overwhelming, especially if it’s not their first or third stop… The space is worth it, though.
I know I promised no muscadine grapes BUT they offer a dry muscadine wine that I actually like. I’ll never admit that out loud again. We most enjoy their Petit Manseng and Petit Verdot. Overmountain is also one of the only wineries near Asheville offering a rich white Port.
Overmountain Vineyards | Address: 2012 Sandy Plains Rd #8799, Tryon, NC 28782
Parker-Binns Vineyard
Parker-Binns Vineyard is a multi-generation, family-run winery and vineyard. Ironically, we both went to high school with Cory in CT; he’s in my yearbook, which is kind of small-world wild. Parker-Binns Vineyard is perfect if you want to sit outside under the covered tasting bar. Throughout the property, find Adirondack chairs and plentiful seating with vineyard views.
Parker-Binns wine is aged in steel and oak barrels. Be sure to check out their Petit Manseng, and for sweet wine lovers, don’t miss the Muscat. Of course, they have Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, and Merlot. We love a winery that appreciates our oaky-seeking palate.
Parker-Binns Vineyard | 2275 Whiteside Rd, Mill Spring, NC 28756
Not a wine drinker? We have more bevie highlights just for you!
Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.
Love the Doctor Who reference!
Do you know how the wineries have been affected by covid? In the summer will restrictions be lifted?
Hi Danielle,
Right now, I’m pretty sure that most of the wineries are all operating and open — but some with limited hours and capacity. We’ve been to most of these on the list fairly recently and all was good. If you’d like me to look into a specific Asheville or WNC winery for you, though, please let me know!
NC recently lifted a few restrictions; I am not sure where we will be this summer. This is the official NC hub for more information: https://www.nc.gov/covid19. I definitely recommend checking their updates if you are planning a visit.
I definitely want to visit some wineries when I come visit. Of course I have to see the Biltmore after hearing so much about it from you. It looks beautiful. Lots to explore there!
You had me at furry animals wandering the property with the Marked Tree Vineyard. I definitely have to go there! Burntshirt looks stunning. Definitely need to see it and drink ALL their wine.
What is the weeping angel fountain reference? I wish I knew!
P.s. I’ve never heard of gewürztraminer wine but now I want to try it just because it sounds cool.
I love that when you write about these spots you also let us know the other things in the area that you do. Great for planning an itinerary! Your blog will totally get me ready for a trip to Asheville one day.
Great post!!
You would love the Asheville wineries. Biltmore is a classic. There is so much to do there, and we go often.
I can imagine all of the dog pictures that you would take at Marked Tree Vineyards, for sure. ; )
The weeping angel is a Dr. Who reference, hehe. When you aren’t looking at them, the angels come to life…to off you…it’s seriously creepy!
Thanks so much! Come visit after this crazy year!