Nine Wineries near Elkin, NC You Have to Try

Elkin, NC is one of the best places to visit if you want to go hiking, do a little shopping, and hit some great wineries. Located on the Surry County Wine Trial which boasts approximately 18 wineries, there are tons more you can easily drive to.

It can be overwhelming trying to schedule a weekend. If you need a little help, I’ve got nine wineries within 20 minutes or less from downtown Elkin for a perfect three or four day weekend. This is why it’s one my top towns in Western NC.

You can stay in Elkin, or nearby Winston-Salem. Many of the wineries have cabins or other rentals on site for a fun experience.

Tips for Going Wine Tasting

Don’t try to do more than four wineries in a day. Four is plenty. You can either have a designated driver or try a wine tour. There are a bunch of tours close to Elkin.

Four empty Adirondeck chairs set so you can view the vineyard as you sit in the. The mountains in the background are blue.

Drive Safely – Take a Tour

Frog Holler Wine Tours will pick up at most hotels and other stays in the Elkin and Dobson areas. This is a great option because you’ll be dropped off at your door and not in a parking lot.

Elkin Van Line picks up and drops off at the Yadkin Valley Heritage and Trails Visitor Center in downtown Elkin. They have different routes you can book, covering three to four wineries each.

Van in Black will help you plan a custom tour to suit your needs. You can also book an elevated experience with a master Sommelier.

Stay Hydrated and Eat

Bring water, keep it cold, and drink it. Wineries will often provide you with water to help, but make sure you have some on you in the car.

Bring food. Many wineries have food trucks on the weekend, but if you’re visiting in the off season, or on a weekday, you’re going to be limited to small pre-made charcuterie trays. Make sure you have plenty of food.

Leave Some Wine Behind

You do not have to drink every drop of the wine. This is hard because you paid for it, but you’re paying to taste the wines, not necessarily drink all of it. Most wineries have tastings, flights, and glasses.

A tasting is usually 4-5 wines with a two ounce pour. That’s a lot. Flights are generally 4 wines with three-to-four-ounce pours. This is going to add up during the day. It’s perfectly fine to taste and then leave or dump the remainder.

I found it helpful to pour out the wines I didn’t like, and drink about half of the ones I did.

Take Notes

Take a photo of the menu and keep notes on the wines you like. It seems easy to keep track, but they’ll all start running together by the second winery.

A white gazebo entrance with two white Adirondack chairs overlooking vineyard fields and the mountains.

Nine Great Wineries to Visit Near Elkin

One of the things I loved about visiting the wineries near Elkin is that everyone knew each other. The woman working at Hidden Winery is the cousin of the woman working at Golden Rule. Everyone knows Mandy who was my “winiesta” at Adagio.

They also know which wineries have events on certain days, and if there’s a temporary closure.

Most of the wineries had staff that knew the wines and could answer questions.

Almost all wineries have food trucks on the weekend. You can visit their websites to confirm. On the days where a food truck is on site, they ask that you do not bring your own food. The goal is to help support local businesses.

Generally, you can bring your own food when there are no food trucks on site. If you have questions, you can reach out to the businesses directly.

A wooden bridge crosses over a narrow section of a small pond to an island.

Shelton Vineyards

Shelton Vineyards is one of the largest family-owned vineyards in North Carolina. If you only want to visit one winery, this is your place. You can easily spend hours here.

There’s the tasting room, small water areas with chairs in the shade, a large pond with a trail you can walk around that goes near the vines, and you never know what else. The day I visited, they were hosting a classic Corvette show.

It’s like Childress Vineyards in feel. They have different levels of tastings, and you can reserve a tour.

Food: The Harvest Grill is their restaurant serving lunch and dinner. Reservations are strongly recommended. There is no mention of whether you can bring your own food. I saw several people with coolers and food from local restaurants.

Parking: There is plenty of parking.

Two people sitting at a table under a covered gazebo with a two story log cabin to their right.

Hidden Vineyard

Not far from Shelton is Hidden Vineyard. Their wines have fun names like Franc the Tank, Chill, and Bliss.

I enjoyed a glass of Chill, a Merlot Rose that’s perfect for a hot summer day. Some of the other patrons ordered a mix of Harmony and Chill which I heard was excellent. Chill is a little sweet, and Harmony is a little dry and somehow these two wines blend perfectly.

There’s tons of covered outdoor seating and you’re likely to make a friend or two.

Food: They offer fresh popcorn for free. They usually have a food truck on the weekend. There is no mention of whether you can bring your own food, but I saw people who had containers from local restaurants.

Parking: There is a small gravel lot, but there is also overflow parking.

A black and white small goat standing on a black chair in a vineyard field. Next to it is a brown goat with horns. Both are looking at the camera.

Golden Road Vineyards

I ran into the owners of Golden Road when visiting Christian Paul. They told me a little about what they’re doing so I added them to the list.

The winery is beautiful. There is indoor seating, and they created a sensational outdoor space with picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, and a fire pit. There are also two small goats that seem to enjoy taking turns standing on a chair, watching the humans drink their wine.

Golden Road has one of the best rose wines out of all the wineries. It was nicely balanced and had just the right flavor. Not too dry, not too sweet, just light and refreshing.

Food: They sell snacks. There is no mention of food trucks or if you can bring your own food.

Parking: Limited but adequate for the size of the winery.

Brown stone two story Tuscan Style villa with a black door and balcony on the second floor.

Raffaldini Vineyards

Raffaldini specializes in Italian wines, and the villa where they host tastings is right out of Italy.

Near the parking lot, you’ll find a picnic area with chairs that look out over the vineyard. Inside, the helpful team will walk you through a tasting or a flight. Their reds are some of the best I’ve had from a North Carolina winery.

Raffaldini makes small batches of wine and doesn’t distribute to stores. They sell only at the winery or sometimes at local restaurants. They use a method called appassimento which incorporates dehydrated grapes into the wine production. The benefit is a bolder, more robust wine. Most wineries do not use this method because you lose 20-30% yield due to the water weight lost in the grapes.

If you plan to visit over the weekend, make a reservation to ensure you’ll enjoy a tasting. On a weekday, you should be able to walk in.

Food: They have food trucks on the weekends. During the week, you can bring your own food but are limited to eating it in their picnic area.

Parking: There is plenty of parking in a large lot.

Large beige patio with several picnic tables with umbrellas. The Building it is built off is also beige and has several floor to ceiling windows.

Piccione Vineyards

Not far from Raffaldini is Piccione. Elkin locals love this winery. I had it mentioned by several people I met on my trip.

They have a huge patio with a stunning view of the mountains. Overall, the wines were decent. They pour the wines for the tasting and hand them to you on a tray. You can find a seat outside and take your time.

Food: Food trucks are booked on the weekends. Outside food is not permitted on weekends. They also have snacks available on site.

Parking: There is a large gravel lot.

Renovated barn with high ceilings and large chandeliers over tables. The walls are painted blue and there is a stone fireplace to the left.

Castello Barone Vineyards and Winery

Castello Barone is literally across the street from Raffaldini. They’re a new winery, just started in 2023 and some of their wines are on their way.

I think their Bacchus red blend wine (named after their dog) will be a great option in another year or two.

There’s plenty of parking and tons of seating. What I really liked about Castello is that they had more inside seating than other wineries. It’s a beautifully restored old barn with tall ceilings, a fireplace, tables, and cozy nooks.

Food: Outside food is allowed on days they do not have a food truck.

Parking: Large lot in front.

Red building with large white French doors and seating outside.

Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery

Follow me on this, it’s a winery and a hiking destination. You can come early and hike their trails. There’s a trail to a dam with a beautiful mural, a forest bathing trail, or you can hike all the way to Carter Falls. It’s about 3.8 miles round-trip to the waterfall and totally worth it.

The staff at Grassy Creek are welcoming and helpful. I also found the wines quite good. I bought two bottles. I’m happy to say the Old Barn Red was as delicious at home as I remembered during my tasting.

They also sell local merchandise. There’s tons of parking and they don’t seem to mind if you arrive before they’re open to hit the trails for a morning hike.

Food: They sell snacks. Outside food is allowed.

Parking: There is a large gravel lot.

Brown building with a gravel circle drive and wooden sign out front noting Adagio tasting room.

Adagio Vineyards

The Adagio tasting room is located at the winery which is separated from the vineyards. Parking is limited, but adequate for the size. It’s a little bit local shop and a little bit winery.

Inside there is jewelry, handbags, and other goods, some from local artists. There was also this insanely good Ecuadorian chocolate form Brasstown in Winston Salem.

Their tasting is worth the money because they give you a whopping 8 wines to taste. The pours are small, which is good because even one ounce each is a ton of wine. And the staff walk you through the tasting.

I would call it more a wine journey than a tasting. It’s a lovely experience.

Food: They sell snacks. There is no mention of whether you can bring your own food. The tasting room is not really set up for eating a meal.

Parking: The lot is small.

Yellow Tuscan inspired building with stone entrance by the door.

Christian Paul Vineyards

This is a newish winery and they’re on their way to being one of the best. They make a sparkling Chardonay called Blanc de Blancs which is basically “we can’t call it Champagne but let’s be honest, that’s what it is”. They even painstakingly turn the bottles slowly over time.

If you’re looking for a solid red, try the Outback Cuvee.

There is plenty of parking and tons of indoor and outdoor seating. You’ll likely be served by one of the owners. I love that they take the time to really explain the wines and walk you through the tasting.

Food: They often have a food truck on the weekend. They sell small pre-made charcuterie plates and cheeses. There is no mention of whether you can bring your own food.

Recommended Order of Vineyards

I would visit Raffaldini, Piccione, and Castello Barone in one day. They’re all down the same road.

Shelton, Hidden Vineyards, and Golden Rule are also close and could be paired in one trip.

Lastly, Adagio, Christian Paul, and Grassy Creek make a great day long pairing.

Wrap-Up: Wineries to Try Near Elkin, NC

The wine scene in North Carolina is booming. With over 80 wineries in the Yadkin Valley you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Elkin is a great place to set the stage for your wine journey. It’s far enough off the beaten path that you’ll have some quiet, but close to everything you need.

These are just nine of the many wineries in the area. Each has its own charm and specialty. Come back often and try some new ones.