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Crest of the Blue Ridge Wine Country

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

A Taste of Bourdeaux in the Blue Ridge


NC’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the hillsides of Europe are separated by thousands of miles. But spend a few days in Hendersonville — visiting wineries, sipping tasty reds and crisp whites — and you might feel like you’re on the other side of the Atlantic.

Hendersonville is home to North Carolina’s newest wine country, located in the lower elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Seven wineries produce classic wines from European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes, along with a sampling of sweeter wines made from grapes native to North Carolina. 

Our wine region, known as the Crest of the Blue Ridge, features rocky, mineral-rich soils, warm days and cool nights during the growing season. This creates an ideal terroir for award-winning wines.

Hendersonville vineyards have earned the highest honors at the NC Fine Wines Competition, which has a reputation for being the toughest of all statewide competitions in the U.S.

The first winery to open was Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards in 2012, followed by Burntshirt Vineyards in 2013, and Point Lookout Vineyards in 2018.

In 2020, the industry doubled when Marked Tree Vineyard, Sawyer Springs Vineyard and Stone Ashe Vineyards opened their tasting rooms. Souther Williams Vineyard opened in 2022.

Pop the cork on a new adventure in the mountains of Hendersonville. Scroll down to learn more …

Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend April 19-21

Transportation Options

Wineries in the AVA

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

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

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 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

 

Souther Williams Vineyard 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. Dogs welcome. 736 Green Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643​

 

 

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