fbpx

Cheers! Trail

banner ad with couple drinking wine in a field with their dog and words that say cider, wine and dine weekend, April 19 to 21, 2024
banner ad with couple drinking wine in a field with their dog and words that say cider, wine and dine weekend, April 19 to 21, 2024

With So Many Great Craft Beverages,
We Had To Build A Trail

The Cheers! Trail is the only trail in North Carolina that showcases five different types of craft beverages. Another plus is its location – the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in and around Hendersonville.

Choose from a selection of 27 different tasting experiences along the trail. This includes 13 breweries, 7 wineries, 3 hard cideries, 2 spirit distillers and 1 meadery. Additionally, 1 winery, Burntshirt, operates a second tasting room off-site, and 1 winery from another area operates a tasting room right on Hendersonville’s Main Street.

Each segment of the trail features fun experiences you are sure to remember. Click here to learn more about the Cheers! Trail Passport and here to order your Cheers! Trail Passport.

Be sure to download a PDF of Cheers! Trail locations, as cell service can be spotty at some of the more rural locations.

BEER
Sierra Nevada’s eco-friendly, state-of-the-art facility is one of the largest craft breweries in the nation and features everything from indoor and outdoor dining to daily tours to a beer garden amphitheater. Sideways Farm & Brewery is located on a working farm and highlights the agricultural side of beer, while Southern Appalachian and Guidon are all within walking distance in the revitalized Seventh Avenue District, and Oklawaha Brewing Co, Dry Falls Brewing and Boodas Brewing Co are all located just off of Main Street. A bit further out from town, you’ll find Appalachian Mountain Brewing, Blue Ghost Brewing, Burning Blush, Guidon Brewing Outpost 1, Mills River Brewing and Trailside Brewing.

CIDER
Henderson County is North Carolina’s largest apple-producing county and seventh largest nationally. Local orchards exclusively supply fresh apples to Appalachian Ridge and Bold Rock cideries. Appalachian Ridge’s tasting room is located in an orchard and its ciders are hand-crafted in European style, while Bold Rock is the largest craft cider producer in the United States. Additionally, during the summer and fall, you can enjoy hard cider that was grown and pressed right on site at Jeter Mountain Farm.

 

WINE
Henderson County is home to North Carolina’s newest wine county, located in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area’s wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera grapes and French-American hybrid grapes, as well as sweeter wines crafted from grapes native to North Carolina. Henderson County earned the AVA designation because of its distinctive soil, climate and elevation. The AVA includes all seven Henderson County wineries. Click to learn more about the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA area.

The ideal growing conditions and picturesque scenery have encouraged this burgeoning industry. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards was Hendersonville’s first winery, having opened in 2012. Not long after, Burntshirt Vineyards and Point Lookout Vineyards opened tasting rooms, followed a few years later by Marked Tree Vineyard, Sawyer Springs Vineyard and Stone Ashe Vineyards. Henderson County’s newest winery to open a tasting room (in April 2022) is Souther Williams, set on a 200-year old farm. Each vineyard grows their grapes right here in Henderson County.

 

honey and mead in front of mountain scene

MEAD
Mead is a form of wine made from honey. It was popular in Colonial times and is making a resurgence in the southern Appalachians. World’s Edge Meadery at Point Lookout Vineyards offers a broad selection of meads in addition to Point Lookout wines.

hand pouring whiskey

SPIRITS
New to Hendersonville’s craft beverage scene are spirits. The first tasting room to open was Two Trees Distilling, who opened in early 2022, serving hand crafted whiskeys. Near the end of 2022, a second distillery opened, M & T Distilling, who makes moonshine.

The Cheers! Trail Passport may be purchased for $10 at the Welcome Center or online and will be mailed to you. Visit at least 12 of Hendersonville’s craft beverage producers and get your Passport stamped, then redeem it to receive your Cheers! Trail swag. The Cheers! Trail Passport has no expiration date and may be used to guide your tasting experience year-round.

There are several transportation options available for hire in the Hendersonville area, see a list here. ABV by beverage varies. Please enjoy responsibly.

Ordered Passports will be mailed by USPS as soon as it has been processed.

Craft Beverage Locations

Appalachian Mountain Brewery
The award-winning brewery that begun in Boone, NC and is known for being the first craft brewery to buy itself back from Anheuser-Busch chose Mills River for its first tasting room outside of their hometown because of the proximity to Pisgah National Forest, the clean water and the growing beer scene. The tasting room offers 32 taps, a full menu that showcases local cuisine and ingredients, plus lots of events, like live music and group bike rides.  46 North Mills River Road, Mills River, NC 28759, 828-393-5618

Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider
Enjoy European style ciders in a renovated 1920s barn in the midst of an orchard. The cider is made from traditional Henderson County apples, as well as from apple trees that have been transplanted from the Normandy region of France. Appalachian Ridge also makes pommeau, a blend of cider and apple brandy. 731 Chestnut Gap Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792,
828-699-7507

Bear Falls Wine Company
Bear Falls Wine Company’s Downtown Hendersonville Tasting Room offers a relaxed yet upscale environment to enjoy a glass of their wine. They produce a wide variety of wines that are grown in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley and produced in Saluda, NC, as well as offer wine slushies, hard cider and beer. The tasting room is open Wednesdays – Sundays. 432 N Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-393-0945

Blue Ghost Brewing Company
Drawing its name from the elusive blue ghost firefly that is native to Western North Carolina, the brewery is located just minutes from Asheville Regional Airport. Blue Ghost makes world-class beer while promoting family, worthy causes and local wonders. Beers are crafted on site in small batches, with a constantly rotating selection. Enjoy pub-style food served from the Hungry Ghost food truck. Plenty of space indoors in the taproom and outdoors in the family-friendly 1-1/2 acre “Firefly Field.” 125 Underwood Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-376-0159

Bold Rock Hard Cider
The nation’s largest craft cidery produces a regular line of hard ciders, as well as several seasonal offerings. The state-of-the-art tasting room includes windows overlooking the production facility, a permanent food truck, cider garden and indoor and outdoor stages for regular live music. Complimentary tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, call for dates and times. The brewery is family- and pet-friendly. 72 School House Road, Mills River, NC 28759,
828-595-9940

Boodas Brewing Company
Opened in late 2023, Boodas Brewing Company is one of Hendersonville’s only brew pubs that boasts its own brick-and-mortar kitchen. Hot off the heels of opening, Boodas currently offers 24 guest taps – all NC brews – but plans to pour its own craft beer soon. The kitchen boasts a variety of flavors, everything from burgers and nachos to a charcuterie board and loaded potatoes! Something for every taste. The brewery offers a covered outdoor patio, which is pet-friendly. 120 E Barnwell Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792,
828-435-2727

Burning Blush Brewery
An independently owned family establishment in the heart of Mills River. The brewery offers a half-dozen beers on tap and food trucks all in a Gothic atmosphere that was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe. The brewery focuses on highly crafted beer integrated with genuine customer service.  A place where traditional beer treads on experimental. Each style of beer accompanied by appropriate glassware in which it is meant to be served, whether a wine barrel-aged sour or a juicy IPA. The Lannings welcome you and your family, along with your pups, to the taproom. Enjoy a spacious climate-controlled indoor area or large outdoor bier garden. Call ahead to tour the brewing facility. 891 Boylston Hwy., Mills River, NC 28759,
828-595-9859

Burntshirt Vineyards
Produces a large selection of quality wines that have captured many national and international awards. Wines are made from 100% estate-grown grapes at two vineyards, which are among the highest elevation vineyards on the East Coast. The tasting room is popular with indoor and outdoor seating, and often offers live music. Be sure to try the apple wine crafted from local Henderson County apples. 2695 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792,
828-685-2402

Burntshirt Vineyards: Chimney Rock Tasting Room & Bistro
Burntshirt Vineyards operates a second location in nearby Chimney Rock. The patio overlooks the iconic Chimney Rock landmark and Hickory Nut Falls. Taste a selection of estate-grown wines, and choose a favorite to pair with lunch or dinner. The bistro features an upscale, yet approachable menu, with Southern classics, seafood dishes and shareable small plates. 438 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC 28720, 828-436-2490

Cider Barn at Jeter Mountain Farm
The Cider Barn at Jeter Mountain Farm is open seasonally from mid-July through October. It serves a tasty lineup of five hard ciders produced in-house from apples grown on the 411-acre farm. Guests can purchase a pint, a flight, a tasting experience at the bar or a four-pack to go. The farm offers other activities, such as apple, berry and flower picking, hayrides, a food truck, coffee shop, farm market, and fresh cider doughnuts. 1126 Jeter Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739, 828-513-0404

Dry Falls Brewing Company
What was once an auto body shop just south of downtown Hendersonville is now an industrial-chic taproom serving approachable beers created by a father-son brewing team. Build a flight from the varied menu, order from the rotating food truck parked out front and settle into a pleasant tasting experience. 425 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville, NC 28739, 828-696-0660

Guidon Brewing Company
Guidon Brewing is a American-German brewery that is veteran- and family-owned, dedicated to the art of brewing high quality beer. The owners’ combined knowledge of first-rate food and beverages from around the world drives a passion to provide their customers with the same excellence they’ve come to know and love. The welcoming atmosphere features an indoor loft with couches and comfortable chairs, a large outside deck and a dartboard room. 415 8th Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-595-7976

Guidon Brewing Outpost 1
The 2nd location for Guidon Brewing Company, the Guidon Brewing Outpost 1 is a taproom located at Elijah Mountain Gem Mine. Just like the original location, Guidon Brewing Outpost 1 is veteran, family, German and American owned and operated. The rustic setting of the tasting room includes outdoor firepits, a food truck, gem mining, shopping, goats and a variety of birds, an outdoor adventure area for children and is pet-friendly. Open Thursday – Sunday. 2120 Brevard Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791. 828-692- 6560.

Marked Tree Vineyard
Marked Tree Vineyard, located at an elevation of 2,300 feet on the Eastern Continental Divide, is Flat Rock’s first winery. It offers 10 wine varietals made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views. Grapes include Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonel and Vidal Blanc. Marked Tree is open seven days a week and guests may choose between an indoor tasting room and an outdoor patio with several seating areas.  Vineyard tours available on Saturdays. 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, 828-513-3773

Mills River Brewing Co
Mills River Brewing Co. is located in a bucolic section of Henderson County and has a large outdoors focus with hiking trails on property. The beers, such as Big Creek amber ale, Middle Fork Mosaic IPA and Laurel Creek ESB, honor the local trails and natural landmarks. The brewery also serves wine, cider and food. Dog friendly. 336 Banner Farm Road, Mills River, NC 28759, 828-513-5155 

M & T Distilling
M & T Distilling believes in producing small batch, high quality moonshine and other spirits in a way that follows the heritage of our region and forefathers, using an all-copper still and producing a straight 100 proof corn moonshine from locally-grown corn. Tours, free tastings of their flavored moonshine and featured cocktails are available in the tasting room. 711 Maple Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-1334

Oklawaha Brewing Company
In the heart of downtown Hendersonville, Oklawaha Brewing Company, formerly known as Sanctuary Brewing Co., is a nano brewery and taproom dedicated to making small batch, high quality artisanal ales. The Brewery features classic styles like hop-forward IPAs, fruited sours and classic German styles. Friendly leashed pets are welcome on the outdoor patio. Regularly has live music, trivia nights and much more. The Sunflower Kitchen, located inside the brewery, offers sandwiches, burgers, bowls and more. 147 First Avenue East, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-595-9956

Point Lookout Vineyards
A wonderful pairing of traditional wines with 30-mile vistas from an expansive open-air tasting room at 3,000 feet in elevation atop Point Lookout Mountain. Point Lookout offers 10 dry and semi-sweet wines. It also has a coffee shop on site, as well as an events pavilion with regular live music. 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-393-5793 

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Saint Paul was the first winery in Hendersonville when it opened in 2011. The vineyards are on land that has been in the same family for nine generations. Wines reflect that rich sense of place. Guided tastings showcase award-winning wines made from 14 varietals of French vinifera grapes. Free live music is regularly available on the outdoor covered patio adjacent to the vineyards, along with a food truck. Be sure to check out their tubular wine tastings. Just down the street is a sister property, Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders. which is also on the Cheers Trail. 588 Chestnut Gap Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-685-4002

Sawyer Springs Vineyard
Small and purposeful is the mission of Sawyer Springs. This winery is a family-run operation on land that has been farmed by the same family for six generations. Sawyer Springs produces vintages in small batches served in a rustic tasting barn. Grape varietals include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Riesling and Muscadine. There is also a selection of fruit wines made from blueberries and strawberries. 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-698-4383

Sideways Farm & Brewery
Surrounded by gardens, pastures and fields, Sideways emphasizes the connection between the land and the beer, using ingredients grown on the farm in its ever-rotating lineup. The tasting experience is much like a winery; customers gather around a U-shaped bar and a bartender explains the ingredients, flavors, aromas and story behind each beer. ​62 Eade Road, Etowah, NC 28729, 828-595-3445

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Craft beer enthusiasts flock to the East Coast headquarters of Sierra Nevada. The palatial brewery — complete with tasting room, restaurant and beer garden — features stunning design with a commitment to sustainability, insider perspective via comprehensive brewery tours, and a chef-driven menu of tapas-style dishes. 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28732, 828-681-5300 

Southern Appalachian Brewery
In beer crazed North Carolina, each small town has its brewery pioneer, and Hendersonville’s is Southern Appalachian, founded in 2011 in the Seventh Avenue District. A friendly taproom features Copperhead amber ale, Black Bear stout, live music and good times. 822 Locust Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-684-1235

Souther Williams Vineyard 
Souther Williams is the latest addition to Hendersonville’s Crest of the Blue Ridge wine country. The vineyard features eight acres of grapes (with additional acres planned) and an open-air tasting room. On land that’s been in the same family since 1800, Souther Williams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe. These cooler climate varietals include Blaufrankisch, Gruner Veltliner, Regent and Saperavi. Souther Williams Vineyard is only open to people age 21+. 655 Hoopers Creek Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070 

Stone Ashe Vineyards
Enjoy a taste of Bordeaux in the Blue Ridge. Stone Ashe’s state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff at 2,700 feet in elevation, surrounded by vineyards planted with vines cloned from Bordeaux. Stone Ashe chose the terroir of the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA to produce wines for the world stage using classic grape varietals such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Riesling. Open to guests age 21 and up. 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643​

Trailside Brewing Co.
Trailside Brewing is located in an expertly restored historic mill, situated along the developing Ecusta Trail (a railroad turned greenway trail). Stop in to taste beers brewed on-site as well as from partner breweries, grab a snack from the rotating food truck, and enjoy live music in their spacious, outdoor beer garden. 873 Lennox Park Drive, Hendersonville, NC 28739​

Two Trees Distilling Co.
Henderson County’s first distillery, Two Trees Distilling Co. crafts a large selection of traditional and flavored whiskies using a process that mirrors and accelerates the natural process of aging alcohol in wooden barrels. Stop by the tasting room to enjoy the products, discover a different approach to making whiskey in an eco-friendly way, and learn their fascinating story. Tasting room is open 7 days a week. 17 Continuum Drive,
Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-419-0727

World’s Edge Meadery
Located at Point Lookout Vineyards, World’s Edge produces seven meads: wildflower and orange blossom, apple, raspberry, tropical fruit, chamomile and chai tea. For the uninitiated, mead is type of wine made from honey. It was popular in American during Colonial times and offers a nice alternative to Point Lookout’s wine collection. Check the web site for hours. 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792,
828-393-5793

Cheers! Trail Passport Order Form

The Cheers! Trail Passport guides you to all of Hendersonville’s craft beverage producers. Visit each tasting room to experience the wonderful crafted beverages and ask to have your Passport stamped. Once at least 12 of the venue stamps are collected, bring the completed Passport to the Welcome Center during operating hours for verification and choose from a selection of Cheers! Trail swag as your reward, plus, you can keep your booklet as a memento.

The cost of the Cheers Trail! Passport is $10. It will be mailed by USPS shortly after your order has been processed. You may also purchase your Cheers! Trail Passport in person, at the Hendersonville Welcome Center.

Please complete this form and then continue on to the payment screen.

  • This will only be used to contact you if there is a problem with your order.
My Favorites
Your favorites list is empty. Look for to add favorites to your list.