Looking for a great getaway? Head to Wilkes County North Carolina Wine Country and pair North Carolina wines with Blue Ridge scenery. It is this distinctive combo of terroir and terrain, that makes stretching a day trip into a 3-day adventure so much fun. A long weekend here, simply feels like the right call.
To get the quick skinny about Wilkes County NC Wine Country travel in a nutshell – click this one-minute read For more delicious details, though, continue on with the rest of the article
Wilkes County, North Carolina spreads far and wide. No wonder this part of the state is also known as, The Great State of Wilkes.
Wine in Wilkes County
If you are talking and traveling for wine, Wilkes County is included in parts of two of North Carolina seven AVA’s. These AVAs are designated wine grape-growing regions in North Carolina. And for the purposes of this article we’ll be talking about wineries in both the Yadkin Valley AVA, which was the state’s first designated American Viticultural Area. And, a portion of the Swan Creek AVA. The Swan Creek AVA is a smaller, nested AVA known for unique microclimates, It extends into the eastern part of Wilkes County.
Wilkes County, in general, features some 40 unique wineries across the region. Look forward to sipping and swirling as you gaze across gorgeous mountain views. Find more info on all the North Carolina AVAs and why you will find “love at first sip” at NCWine.org.
This corner of northwestern North Carolina is tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Over the past decade, it has quietly built one of the state’s most interesting wine stories. The focus here isn’t trend-chasing or flash. It’s Italian varietals grown in North Carolina soil and family-owned wineries with tasting rooms where conversations still matter. Add a walkable food scene in North Wilkesboro and the region’s deep musical and craft legacy for more on your list of things to do. Then, sprinkle in a collection of boutique places to stay. All told, Wilkes County starts to feel less like a day trip and more like a destination.
A Super Spot for a Spontanious Getaway
It’s an easy drive, from the Upstate in South Carolina. And equally close from North Carolina cities like Asheville, Charlotte, Winston-Salem or the Raleigh–Durham area. Close enough for a spontaneous getaway, far enough to feel like you’ve truly gone somewhere. Plan your vaca built around wine, food, North Carolina craft, hiking trails and a little history. Wilkes County delivers on all the fronts.
Why Wilkes County Belongs on Your North Carolina Wine Map
A Little Music, a Little Moonshine, a Lot of Craft
The county seat in Wilkes County is the town of Wilkesboro. It is the home MerleFest, one of the country’s most respected roots-music festivals. Across the Yadkin River is North Wilkesboro; but the county lines go far beyond these two namesake North Carolina towns. Thanks to Wilkes County’s moonshine-running roots, distilling traditions here run deep. Wilkes County is also home to great NC distilleries like Call Family Distillery. Call was named the 2023 North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association (NCRLA) Chef Showdown Distillery of the Year. The county is also a part of the Blue Ridge Craft Trail connecting visitors with local artists and makers.
Love to drink locally? In addition to wineries, don’t miss the local breweries and meaderies in the area. Fun fact: wherever you are in North Carolina, you are always just 45 mins away from a cidery, meadery or winery, which makes for lots of places to sip and swirl. Wilkes County is no exception to that rule. That’s the high view, big picture.
But now, let’s zoom in.
My travels for this article, specifically took me to Ronda, NC, in the Yadkin Valley. There you will find four NC wineries with a common thread plus several others of note. This is wine country for people who like to linger. The elevation, the slightly cooler nights and the soil or terroir in Ronda seem to suit Italian grape varieties beautifully. While not all varietals have Italian roots here, the wines grown in this region are all built for balance, structure, and food. Wines you want to sit with. Wines that make sense at the table. And because these wineries are family-owned and intentionally-scaled, the experience at each of these wineries feels personal, not programmed.
Italian Varietals, North Carolina Grown: Wineries Worth the Drive
Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery, 450 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC
Tuscan inspiration meets the North Carolina foothills at Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery, where Italian varietals take center stage and the views alone are worth the drive. The Raffaldini property is adjacent to the vineyards at Piccione Vineyards. Together they form the largest contiguous stretch of planted vines in North Carolina. Wow, what a view!
Raffaldini owners, brother and sister Jay and Barb Raffaldini, were front runners in the NC wine business in general; and in the Yadkin Valley, in particular. Originally planting his first vines in 2001 and Raffaldini opened the doors to the public in 2005. Early on he coined the term “Chianti in the Carolinas”. Jay will be the first to tell you it’s been a lot of trial and error since those early days; but the wines here have always been built with the table in mind. They continue to be structured, expressive, and deeply satisfying with food.
The bee on the label of Raffaldini’s Grande Riserva Red Blend is testimony to the early struggle. Jay was told time and time again that these grapes wouldn’t grown in North Carolina. Likewise, because of their build, bees are not supposed to be able to fly. And yet they both do, very successfully, I might add.
It’s A Wine of a Different Color
Over the years, winemakers at Raffaldini continue to push the envelope. Continuing to create Raffaldini’s classically rustic Italian varietal reds and whites, to stepping out a bit always coming up with something new. For the past seven years, they have crafted a delicious celebration wine in collaborations with nearby JOLO Vineyards . This outstanding, easy drinking red wine is playfully called RA RA SisBoomBah! It’s a blend of Raffaldini’s Montepulciano and Petit Verdot and JOLO’s Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is named for winery owners Jay Rafaldini and JOLO’s JW Ray.
Relatively new at Raffaldini is a distinctive line of botanical wines. These aromatic, off-dry, slightly bubbly wines start with Raffaldini grapes and then are infused with floral and fruit flavors. My fave was the popular Pesca e Fiore D’Arancio made with peach and orange blossom. Fun, light, refreshing and definitely worth a try.
Collabs and botanical wines, aside, Jay will tell you, as he explained to me that the thing that sets this tiny pocket of Wilkes County wine country apart is the soil or terroir. The minerality in the soil here is perfect for growing Italian wine varietals. What now sets Raffaldini’s wines apart above that, is the wine making process of Appassimento.
Drying the Grapes at Raffaldini Concentrates the Flavors
The process, made popular in Italy for the making of Amarone wine, is one that concentrates the flavors and structure of red wine. Here just picked grapes are dried first rather than being pressed immediately after harvest. Raffaldini Vineyards now dries red grapes to 25% weight loss before they press. Jay says, it gives Raffaldini less juice but more flavor. The process of actually dehydrating the grapes takes about 10 days. And it is now the first step to making any of Raffaldini’s red wines.
Tastings here are fun, thoughtfully planned and flights – should you choose to do so, are cleverly presented in towering wine glass holders. Select from reds or whites or taste a mix. Of course, you can always do something less structured and simply order wines by the glass or by the bottle or two. Walk ins and reserved tasting times are both welcome and if you have a larger event in mind, the hilltop setting has made Raffaldini a sought-after spot for special events and weddings.
Share the Love
A travel writer couldn’t ask for a more perfect example while on a visit at Raffaldini, that this recent engagement. I met this cute couple, JoLee Knight and Jason Slaughter, both from Durham NC, just moments after he place the ring on her finger at Raffaldini. It was a pre-arranged wine tasting tour with friends, specifically built – much to her surprize – around this happy occasion. He popped the question along with a bottle of Raffaldini Prosecco. I am happy to report, she said yes to both!!
The collection of Raffaldini wines may all be purchased onsite by anyone who visits. In addition, Raffaldini Vineyards wine club offers access to limited releases and special wine tasting events. Wines can be purchased and packaged for same day take home or ordered online shipped directly to you or to friends, making it easy to stay connected long after your visit.
For more info about winery events and to join the Raffaldini Wine Club, visit their website.
Piccione Vineyards 2364 Cedar Forest Rd, Ronda, NC
Right around the corner, essentally next door to Raffaldini Winery is Piccione Vineyards. It has been my pleasure to have been a guest at Piccione Vineyards several times over the last couple of years. Originally because Stephanie Elliott, the 2024 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year, one of the co-owners of Merle’s, the cutest cocktail bar in downtown Wilkesboro is now the tasting room manager at Piccione.
Stephanie, invited me to come see and taste all they have going on and I love all they are doing at Piccione.
Piccione also hosted one of the 2025 rounds of Mixology competition for the NCRLA Chef Showdown. I can tell you first hand, the event spaces here are most welcoming and perfect for any occasion.
In vino, salute
Piccione Vineyards was founded in 2010 by Dr. William Piccione. The Piccione family had a strong family background in Italy and the traditions continue at the estate in North Carolina. All Piccione wines are produced from estate-grown fruit. Many are national and international award-winning pours garnering the vineyard both regional and national attention.
Piccione’s “Signature” red blend, pictured below, pays homage to the family’s Italian heritage. The distinctive label that features the signature of Giuseppe Piccione, William’s grandfather, as it appears in the original Ellis Island records.
The property here feels agricultural in the best possible way. This is a working vineyard with a quiet confidence, where Italian varietals are shaped by the land and the seasons. The setting is pastoral and peaceful, ideal for travelers who appreciate restraint and authenticity.
Meet the Sheep
Did I mention there is also a herd of sheep and a mother-daughter duo of two resident miniature Sicilian donkeys. Named Thelma and Louise, these two keep an eye on the herd. Thelma and Louise are the donkeys who watch the herd of 60-65 sheep. Too many to name, these Piccione residents are a St. Croix and Dorper mix and are easy going grazers. As such they serve as a natural lawn mowing team when it comes to weeds and grasses that might pop up in between the vines. This not only controls the growth under the vines at Piccione, but also helps to keep the grapes cooler in the summer months. Their presence also helps Vineyard Manager Dustin Gentry and his team to limit the use of herbicides in the vineyard. And it goes without much of an explanation that they also help to fertilize the vines, as they go.
In addition to a love for wine, William Piccione is also a collector of antique autos. Collections of some of the vintage cars and trucks here are often featured as a fun accessory to winery events.
The main tasting room at Piccione with a connecting patio overlooking the vineyard vistas. Upstairs and downstairs in the main building there are banquet and meeting rooms all of which make great spaces for destination events and wedding space.
2026 Sunday Sipping at Piccione Vineyards
Sundays in February 2026 bring great flavors and music to the tasting rooms at Piccione. On Sunday Feb 8, 2026 get set to sip and swirl at the first Piano Sunday in the event hall at Piccione with live music from musician Federico Pivetta.
On Sunday, February 22nd at 3pm make plans to attend a guided Chocolate & Reserve Red Wine Pairing. Featured wines here include the Signature Blend I mentioned earlier. Also look to taste Piccione’s Montepulciano Riserva, Montepulciano Superiore, and Petit Verdot Superiore. Get Tickets for the Reservation Only Tasting event here.
This tasting features some of Piccione’s wonderful Reserve reds. I can tell you you will find them, as I have, all delicious pours. And you will most certainly want to take home for your cellar. But, don’t pass on the whites here. We particularly love Piccione’s 2023 Vermentino Appassimento and the 2024 Ovina.
Piccione offers visitors membership in their wine club, rewarding members throughout the year with special bottlings and private events. Learn More and sign up to become a member here.
This Area’s Two Newest Wineries…
Sotrio Vineyards and Winery 211 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC
Warm, welcoming, and refreshingly unpretentious, Sotrio Vineyards and Winery balances old-world grapes with easygoing hospitality. Italian varietals anchor the lineup, crafted to be approachable and food-friendly. We particularly enjoyed Sotrio’s White Sangiovese and a delicious port called Sweet Baby June.
Family ownership is central here, and the tasting experience reflects that sense of care. Even the family’s sweet vineyard dog, June, gets her own label! Husband and wife team, Bill and Teresa Piastach, who bought and started working on the property in 2015, opened to the public in 2024. The couple not only tend the vineyards, work the business and lead the wine making; but host in the tasting room as well. They are still building and growing and so for now, Sotrio wines are all aged and bottled to their specifications, just up the hill at Raffaldini. Sotrio sits is on 24 acres of land, currently 7 1/2 of them are under vine.
The tasting room here is friendly but small, with a charming outside patio for use in agreeable weather. If you are traveling with a party of five or more, please call first to make a reservation. While walk-ins are always welcome to taste and purchase, the only way to insure a larger group can sit and taste together, is by advance reservation.
The Sotrio experience also appeals to mixed groups thanks to its on-site brewery, run my the Piastach’s daughter, Jamie, making it an easy win when wine lovers and beer fans are traveling together. Wine club options and shipping are available, so the relationship doesn’t end when the weekend does. You can read more here.
Castello Barone Vineyards 475 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC
Castello Barone rounds out the quartet with Italian tradition served alongside sweeping mountain views.
Food to go with Wine
Tastings are complemented by cheeses, salami, and flatbreads, all available to order at the winery, an intentional reminder that these wines are meant to be enjoyed with food. Castello Barone, like Piccione, also sells a variety of Italian pastas and related ingredients like Italian olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Like its neighbors, Castello Barone is family owned, offers a wine club with special releases, and ships wine directly to customers. It’s an easy place to linger and a fitting stop on any Wilkes County wine itinerary.
As we tasted our way through some of the wines here, we made notes ( and purchases) that included favorites of Catello Barone’s 2021 Tannat, the 2019 port labeled, Cameratismo; and 2022 Montepulciano Rose. You can purchase Castello Barone wines online here for home delivery.
Owner Scott Barone is making, aging and bottling his wines onsite. In addition to sampling bottled pours in the tasting room on our visit; we were also lucky enough to barrel taste Scott’s white port called Kindred Soul. Aged in North Carolina Southern Distillery barrels, I am here to tell you it’s fabulous!! When we tasted the port, it was ready to bottle and Scott was just waiting on label approval.
Wine club members get first dibs on all the new wines here, I can’t wait till this one released. keep your eyes open and I’ll be sure to share the details.
Together, these four wineries make a compelling case for Wilkes County—whether you visit them all in one weekend or return again and again.
But that’s not all….
Top Your Visit Off with A Mountaintop Moment: Dynamis Estate Wines
On one of those trips you simply must include a visit to one of this area’s hidden gems – Dynamis Estate Wines.
At 1,640 feet, the vineyard sits among the highest in North Carolina, with sweeping Blue Ridge views and a landscape defined by rocky soils, sunlit slopes, and steady mountain breezes. The approach alone sets the tone: a scenic 2.5-mile private drive that winds upward, building anticipation with every turn.
At the top, you’re welcomed into a transformed orchard bunkhouse—now a warm, inviting tasting lodge with glass accordion doors, fireplaces, and an Appalachian breeze that makes the space feel both polished and deeply rooted. Tastings here are by appointment only, guided and immersive, designed to tell the story of the mountain as much as the wine.
I was lucky enough to taste through a bit of the wineries portfolio with winemakers Katy Kidd and Matt Worrell. While I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting the rest of this small but mighty team. We had a blast.
Dynamis embraces smallness and precision: hand-harvested fruit, early-morning picks, meticulous sorting, and small-lot winemaking with a carefully considered oak program. Each barrel reflects what the mountain gave that season. Katy and Matt just let the grapes speak for themselves as they age into wine. Delicious wine, you simply must try. Get info on the Dynamis Wine Club here and order wines here. Then, plan a trip up the mountain to taste for yourself soon.
Taking Wine Tasting to New Heights
I left with bottles of Dynamis’ 2021 The Mountain red and their amazing non vintage dessert wine called Pommeau. Stay tuned for a follow up post about these wines and recipes for food pairings to follow soon.
It’s no surprise that Dynamis was nominated for American Winery of the Year in Wine Enthusiast’s 26th Annual Wine Star Awards. Tie a visit here into a broader Wilkes County wine tasting adventure and you’ll quickly understand why this is the kind of travel that stays with you long after the drive back down the mountain.
While you could make a day trip visit to any one (or three or four) of these NC Wineries, I suggest not limiting yourself to only one day.
If You’re Here on a Sunday… Plan Like a Local
Sundays in Wilkes County require a little foresight. A few favorites are intentionally limited, which is part of their charm; but it also means planning ahead pays off.
- Elkin Creek Vineyard serves wood-fired pizza on Sundays only, made to order and paired with wine tastings. It’s one of the best lunches of the weekend—and reason enough to shape your day around it. Advance reservations are a must as they only make 30 pizzas a day! Elkin Creek also offers private cabins on the property if you’d like to stay close to the action.
- Check out one of my short form videos on instagram on this very topic with a quick tip for the best way to reheat pizza from the chef at Elkin Vineyards.
Stay and Sip awhile in Wilkes County’s NC Wine Country
Two Great Places to stay near Wilkes County wineries
Wilkes County’s greatest strength may be how effortlessly it invites you to slow down. Roads wind. Views open up. Tastings linger. Conversations stretch. What starts as a day trip quickly becomes a weekend—and often a return visit. Where you stay in Wilkes County can be just as memorable as where you taste.
Roaring River Vineyards offers Wine, Beer and Lodging, too!
For anglers, hikers, and travelers who crave true quiet, Roaring River Vineyards at 493 Brewer Mill Rd in Traphill, NC offers a peaceful riverside retreat, a restaurant, a winery and a beer garden.
This 47-acre riverfront property sits on a mile of riverfront and features a Tasting Haus and patio with water views and on-site dining. Want to drink local? Look for French-inspired NC wines, German-style and North Carolina–sourced beers and ciders, vacation rentals, and a small RV campground. It’s the kind of place where mornings unfold slowly and evenings end around a fire pit outside your room or cabin.
There are individual cabins here, as well as single rooms with fully equipped kitchens and vacation rentals for all sizes of groups and larger meeting and event spaces. For more details, visit the website and make reservations here.
If having your own space is more of the goal, Bramabella Vineyards AirBnB is a standout place to settle in as your home away from home for the length of your Wilkes County stay.
I stayed here with the judges during one of last year’s NCRLA Chef Showdown mixology rounds, and it’s easy to see why it left an impression. The five-bedroom Airbnb, set on 40 acres, offers sweeping views, a well-equipped kitchen and grill, and plenty of room to unwind. In season, guests can pick from more than 1,500 blueberry bushes, enjoy honey from on-site hives, and take home beautifully made blueberry jam crafted from the vineyard’s harvest. A short walk leads to a peaceful stream and waterfalls, all worth making time for.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
- Two to three wineries per day is the sweet spot.
- Check tasting hours in advance, especially on Sundays.
- Appointment-only experiences are worth planning around.
- Designate a driver… while the roads are scenic, they are also long and winding… plus if you are sipping and swirling, a DD is the safest way to enjoy it all.
- All featured wineries sell and ship wine through their online stores.
Eating and Drinking Your Way Through North Wilkesboro
One of the most enjoyable ways to get to know North Wilkesboro is on foot, and Blue Ridge Food Tours makes it easy. The tour blends Wilkes history with generous tastings at local food and drink stops, creating a true sense of place along the way. I first mentioned these fun and flavorful tours in a post about shopping small in North Carolina at the end of 2025.
Mya Baynes
The pace is comfortable, lead by tour guide extraordinaire, Mya Baynes (center photo, above.) The stories are engaging, and the tastings are substantial enough to replace dinner. For first-time visitors especially, it’s a smart way to experience the town of North Wilkesboro without overplanning. And a reminder that Wilkes County’s food scene is every bit as thoughtful as its wine.
Join the tour and discover North Wilkesboro finds like Cinder Bistro, owned by my old friends, George and Kathleen Smith, also owners of Copper Barrel Distillery. I love that the bar at Cinder features so many local NC Spirits.
Learn more about Blue Ridge Food tours here.
For this lover of local food and drink, it was a wonderful way to discover more of what the area offers. On the list of stops, The Liberty Theatre, open since 1932! Here tickets are just $5 for anyone, anytime and fresh popped popcorn and an almost impossible to find Pepsi product, Patio Cherry Soda, are the food and drink of the day.
Here’s the Wilkes County NC Wine scoop in a nutshell:
Everything you need to know about a wine tasting tour of Wilkes County
Yes. Wilkes County is ideal for a relaxed wine weekend, especially for travelers who enjoy Italian varietals, scenic vineyard views, and family-owned wineries. Its location makes it an easy getaway from Charlotte, the Triad, and the Raleigh–Durham area.
How many wineries can you visit in one day?
Two to three wineries per day is ideal. Distances are short, but the roads are scenic and winding, and most tastings are designed to be unhurried. Don’t rush through the experience. Plan to stay and sip a while.
Do Wilkes County wineries require reservations?
Some accept walk-ins, while others, like Dynamis Estate Wines, offer appointment-only tastings. Checking winery websites and booking ahead is recommended, especially on weekends.
Are there food options at the wineries?
Yes. Elkin Creek Vineyard serves wood-fired pizza on Sundays only, paired with wine tastings. Other wineries offer small bites or snacks. At Piccione, Raffaldini and Castello Barone, look for refrigerated cases with salads, deli items and local cheeses and chocolates from nearby White Tree Farm. North Wilkesboro’s walkable downtown provides excellent dining options before or after your round of wine tastings is done.
Where should you stay when visiting Wilkes County wineries?
Visitors can choose from hotels in Wilkesboro to vineyard stays, and private rentals near these wineries. Staying locally makes it easier to enjoy tastings without rushing and to experience more of the area.
Is Wilkes County wine country suitable for a romantic getaway or group trip?
Absolutely. The mix of scenic views, intimate tasting rooms, food experiences, and flexible lodging options makes Wilkes County well suited to couples, friends’ trips, and small group getaways.
Can you buy and take or ship wine home from Wilkes County wineries?
Yes. All of the wineries featured in this article sell and ship wine through their online stores, making it easy to revisit your favorites at home.
More About Heidi Billotto…
Heidi Billotto is a culinary storyteller, educator and on-air expert who brings local food, chefs, restaurants, and local producers to life where ever she goes with a genuine curiosity, a passion for what she does and her signature joyful style.