This State Is Quietly Producing Some of the Best Wine in the U.S.—And It’s Not California originally appeared on Parade.
North Carolina may be best known for its smoky barbecue joints, picturesque coastline and misty Blue Ridge peaks. Still, it’s quietly carving out a name as one of America’s most significant wine producers. Scattered across six distinct and very different AVAs, including the rolling hills of the Yadkin Valley, the cooler elevations of the Appalachian High Country and the boutique vineyards of Swan Creek, vintners are producing everything from refined Viognier and bold Cabernet Franc to crisp hybrid varietals like Seyval Blanc.
Even though many wineries are still making the state’s infamous muscadine wine, the more revered and respected wineries, such as JOLO Winery, Shadow Springs and Childress, are focusing on crafting big, bold, California- and European-style dry wines and winning awards for their efforts, too. So it turns out you don’t have to fly to Napa, British Columbia or even France, because your next favorite pour may be closer than you think.
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The History of Wine in North Carolina
In North Carolina, or as locals lovingly call it, North Cackalaky, the winemaking story is older than many travelers realize. Starting in the mid-19th century, the state was America’s leading wine producer, thanks mainly to the native scuppernong grape. But Prohibition halted that momentum, and for decades, sweet muscadine wines defined the local scene. Over the last two decades, though, a new generation of vintners has transformed North Carolina’s reputation by planting and harvesting more elegant and elevated varietals.
By introducing more classic European vinifera varietals, such as Cabernet Franc, Viognier and Sangiovese—particularly in cooler, higher-elevation AVAs like Yadkin Valley and the Crest of the Blue Ridge—they’ve started crafting wines that marry Old World techniques with Southern terroir. The result is a modern renaissance of boutique family wineries producing expressive, award-winning bottles that rival even the best of California.
Yadkin Valley AVA
Just about an hour’s drive northwest of Charlotte sits the Yadkin Valley. At the foot of the sweeping Piedmont hills, this prominent AVA is North Carolina’s original wine region and also its largest. One of the area’s best wineries is JOLO Winery & Vineyards, a veteran-owned property near Pilot Mountain. JOLO has won numerous awards, including the coveted Platinum Award at the 2025 Winemaker Challenge International Wine Competition for many of their wines, such as the bold Carolous XI red. Their rose is also renowned, having won “Best of Show” at the 2023 American Fine Wine Competition. One of the judges even remarked that the win was “reminiscent of a Judgment of Paris moment from 1976,” noting how a North Carolina wine could claim top honors in a blind tasting.
Aside from the wines, their restaurant, EndPosts, is also locally celebrated for its incredible wine pairing menu. Their sister winery, Rayson, is newer on the scene but already earning acclaim, with standout wins like Best of Class for their Riesling at the 2025 Los Angeles Invitational, Best in Show Chardonnay at the 2025 Great White Wine National Competition, and a gold medal for Elevate Rogue at the 2024 America’s Wine Cup.
Another favorite in the Yadkin region is Childress Vineyards, which is co-owned by NASCAR legend Richard Childress. Here, you can enjoy a tasting of their award-winning varietals, like their Viognier and Cabernet Franc—which won at the North Carolina Wine Cup—on the sunlit patio. You can also join a lively grape-stomping harvest party in September or linger over Southern-inspired fare at the on-site bistro.
Swan Creek AVA
About 35 miles west of Winston-Salem, the intimate Swan Creek AVA unfurls among the Brushy Mountains and is renowned for its diverse wine varietals, thanks to the rich, mica-laced soil and cooler microclimate. At Laurel Gray Vineyards, a converted 1930s milking parlor sets the scene for tastings that range from rich Meritage blends to award-winning dessert wines, paired with locally sourced cheeses and chocolate sauces made from the winery’s reds.
Dobbins Creek Vineyards, nestled in a cozy log cabin, charms visitors with small-batch reds and rosé, best enjoyed during golden-hour sunsets that illuminate the valley. The vineyards are close together, so you can easily visit several in an afternoon.
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Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA
Just south of Asheville in Henderson County, this rugged AVA is best known for its estate whites and rather rowdy festivals. At Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, you can sip crisp Chardonnay or Riesling with live music in tow. They’re also known for their ciders, which are crafted at high elevation (2,300–3,000 ft.). Nearby, Burntshirt Vineyards—which won NC winery of the year for 5 years in a row—hosts vineyard dinners and harvest celebrations honoring their award-winning wines, like the Grüner Veltliner & Merlot (which won double gold in 2012 at IWWC).
Another notable winery is Marked Tree Vineyard, situated at 2,300 feet, which pairs small-lot wines with sweeping mountain views and occasionally offers yoga in the vines. This winery was voted one of the top 5 new wineries in 2023 by USA Today, with their Rosé and sparkling wine winning other notable awards from NC Fine Wines that year, too.
Wine Awards the State Has Claimed
Although the title suggests that North Carolina’s wine scene is subtle, it’s making a big splash in the viticulture scene and earning serious recognition on the national stage. Each year, wineries across the state compete in the North Carolina Fine Wines Competition, where labels like JOLO Winery & Vineyards, Childress Vineyards and Shadow Springs Vineyard routinely take home top honors. Beyond state lines, North Carolina bottles have impressed judges at the American Wine Society Competition and the San Francisco International Wine Competition, winning medals for varietals as diverse as Viognier, Cabernet Franc and even native muscadine wines. In recent years, JOLO’s rosé was named “Best Rosé on the Planet” at the American Fine Wine Competition, and Childress Vineyards’ Reserve Series Cabernet Franc was crowned the best wine in North Carolina.
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This State Is Quietly Producing Some of the Best Wine in the U.S.—And It’s Not California first appeared on Parade on Jul 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.