Smoky Mountain Vineyards

One doesn’t have to travel to Sonoma Valley or the Pacific Northwest to find delectable wines. The Smoky Mountain region is replete with numerous vineyards and wineries, and is a forerunner in the emerging East Coast wine industry. The red clay soil of Southern Appalachia is similar to that of Tuscany, while the climate is like that of Bordeaux, according to a federal American Viticultural Area designation.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture has recognized the area as a “unique and valuable wine-growing region.” Chardonnay, viognier, pinot gris, rosé, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, muscadine, and merlot are just a few of the grape varietals that grow well in the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains.

Any winery has potential to be romantic, but several stand out as family-friendly destinations. Whether it’s a date for an adult couple or an outing with the entire brood, these wineries offer beautiful scenery and fun for all ages.

North Carolina

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery, Banner Elk Nested on the banks of the Watauga River and in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain, this vineyard and winery is owned and operated by two generations of the Tatum family. Guests can enjoy the sound of the rushing river while sipping wine and watching kids frolic and play.

Sawyer Springs Vineyard, Hendersonville For six generations, Sawyer Springs has grown and cultivated award-winning wine in the lush soil of Henderson County. Their team prides themselves on small batch production and bottling by hand. In a picturesque outdoor setting, this vineyard offers year-round live music, food trucks, wine tastings, and other events.

Burntshirt Vineyards, Hendersonville Mountain Lore has it that in the old days, farmers burned the fields of Burntshirt Mountain to clear the land for planting. They tossed their shirts in the fire for good luck to ensure the fields yielded a bountiful crop. The legend lives on to this day on the land that is now Burntshirt Vineyards, a family-run wine operation with a dedication to 80 years of craftsmanship. Burnshirt offers an extensive lineup of live music, food trucks, and seasonal events.

Parker-Binns Vineyard, Mill Spring Located in the Tryon Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Parker Binns is a multi-generation, family-operated 40-acre winery and vineyard with 12 acres under vine. Parker-Binns offers food trucks, tastings, live music, wine club memberships, weddings, and special events throughout the year.

Biltmore Winery and Antler Hill Village, Asheville In the early 1970s, William Cecil planted the first vines on the Biltmore property. The estate bottled its first wines in 1984. Today, the wines of Biltmore Estate are known world-wide. Antler Hill Village, the acreage surrounding Biltmore Winery, is a playground for visitors of all ages with food vendors, The estate features the creamery, farm animals, live music, bike trails, shopping, dining, and of course, wine tastings. While adults sip on wine, kids can use the green space for Frisbee throwing, corn hole and more.

East Tennessee

Stonehaus Winery, Crossville Located in the Cumberland Plateau, Stonehaus is the only Tennessee winery with statewide distribution. It’s also the featured wine at the Grand Ole Opry. Its winemaker and visionary is Fay Wheeler, who many consider to be “the grandfather of Tennessee wine.” He was instrumental in getting the Wine and Grape Act enacted in 1977. Events at Stonehaus include the Tennessee Songwriters Week, wine and paint events, a wine club, tastings, and live music.

Goodwater Vineyards, Mosheim Located along Goodwater Road in East Tennessee, this vineyard is a family farm and vineyard. It offers tastings, retail wines, seasonal events, and educational activities such as a suckering workshop for kids. One of the most popular offerings is a catered picnic, where up to 20 individuals can enjoy wine and a picnic catered by a professional chef.

Northeast Georgia

Three Sisters Vineyard, Dahlonega Since the mid-90s, Three Sisters has offered a small family farm atmosphere to locals, tourists, and wine enthusiasts. The farm’s name is inspired by the beautiful view of Lumpkin County’s Three Sisters Mountain to the west. The vineyard utilizes 100 percent Georgia fruit, which is fully estate-grown. Tastings and events are held inside the large cherry wood tasting bar and outside at the rock wall patio, which is said by some to be the best place to soak in Georgia’s wine country.

Habersham Winery, Helen Producing wine since 1983, Habersham is one of North Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries. Located one-half mile south of Helen, in Nacoochee Village, the winery is open daily for wine tastings and other events. Habersham manages two vineyards, Stonepile, located in Clarkesville, and Mossy Creek, located south of Cleveland. Habersham is known for its annual Winefest, to be held this year on May 7.

Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Cleveland Located on the southeastern base of the iconic Yonah Mountain, this 200-acre family winery opened in 2005. This vineyard offers a wedding venue, wine club, private and corporate events, tastings, live music, food trucks, trivia nights, and seasonal events. It also offers an intimate walking tour of the winery, and the only known wine caves in Georgia. On Saturday, April 2, Yonah Mountain Vineyards will host The Crusher, a vineyard and trail races of one mile, 5K, and 10K.