Wineries in and Around Asheville
745 words (4 min read)
Asheville is pretty well known for its numerous award-winning restaurants and its plethora of craft breweries. But did you know our Blue Ridge Mountains are an excellent environment for growing wine-making GRAPES? That's right! A few spots in Asheville (and more than a few in neighboring Henderson County) produce amazing wines, and the selection is improving yearly.
Don't feel like leaving the hotel? Our on-site restaurant, Azalea Bar & Kitchen, has an impressive wine list.
Asheville
Biltmore Winery
Probably the most well-known winery in the area is the one on Biltmore Estate. Set back from the house in Antler Hill Village, the winery offers a tasting room with complimentary samples, a tour of the facility, an indoor/outdoor wine bar where charcuterie and chocolates are available, as well as a shop where you can purchase wine by the bottle and case, as well as wine-drinking accouterments.
Addison Farms Vineyard
Located just outside of Asheville in Leicester, Addison Farms has been growing grapes for 15 years on a family-owned farm that has sustained four generations since 1937. The winery features six varieties, including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Petit Manseng, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
plēb urban winery
With a dedication to sustainability and organic processes, plēb uses grapes grown throughout the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The varietals produced are not typical of other grapes grown in the state because they are grown in the mountains. The winery’s tasting room fits right in with the vibe of its River Arts District location, and features wide, open spaces for hanging out and wines on tap, or for purchase in bottles.
Hendersonville/Henderson County
Souther Williams Vineyard
This 35-acre vineyard hosts 6,000 plants of grape varietals originating from Austria, Germany, Eastern Europe, and Russia. Like its location in Fletcher, those geographic locations are cooler and at higher altitudes, which produce a different type of grape than might come from a warmer climate. In addition to 3 white grape types, they also grow 5 red varietals. The vineyard hosts flight tastings, private and group vineyard tours with tastings, and offer glass or bottle selections of the wines they make. No reservations are necessary for daily tastings, but you can schedule private tastings on their website.
Marked Tree Vineyard
Marked Tree grows Vinifera and French hybrid vines that thrive in the sandy and rocky soil of the mountain climate, and include varieties such as Cab Franc, Petit Verdot, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonel, several rosé varieties, and house blends. Venture to neighboring Henderson County in the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for the on-premises tasting room, Walking Tour, or for Fall Vintner Tastings (reservations required), or visit the Asheville tasting room at 14 Aston Street downtown.
Saint Paul Mountain Farms
Voted the top winery in the entire state of North Carolina by Yelp, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard was the first vineyard in Henderson County, and grows their grapes and apples for wines and ciders on their family’s farm. A specialty is French Vinifera wine, but they serve around 30 wines and ciders. Choose from one of three tasting rooms to experience all the tastes made and processed by the vintners.
Sawyer Springs Vineyard & Winery
This family who owns the winery takes pride in its agricultural roots in Henderson County over the last 6 generations. The small batch production of each variety of wine makes for a rotating selection of hand-bottled varieties, including several award winners. Sawyer Springs is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-6 p.m.
Burntshirt Vineyards
The tasting room of this 30-acre vineyard is at 2,200-feet elevation, straddling both sides of the Eastern Continental Divide. What started in 2009 with 14 varieties has since won International wine competitions alongside competitors from Napa and Sonoma.
Stone Ashe Vineyard
The winemakers at Stone Ashe sourced their grapevines from France, and specialize in Bordeaux-based varieties. On the property, you will find a barn, outdoor seating, and a tasting facility. Some of the wines they offer are Meritage Red Blend, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a bubbly Provençal Rosé.
Point Lookout Vineyard
Sitting on top of Point Lookout is this winery of the same name. Some of the wines they have bottled include Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, among others. The winery offers a venue for get-togethers and events, as well as just sipping wine with a friend. They often have live music and sunset sippings. In addition to wine, Point Lookout also offers different varieties of mead produced by its World’s Edge Meadery.