Local Flavors at Yadkin Valley Wineries
The Surry County Wine Trail winds through a rich viticultural area
By Renee C. Gannon | Photos by Sam DeanFall colors will be on display this fall throughout western North Carolina. Just west of the Blue Ridge Parkway, visitors can enjoy the view along a wine-tasting trail that meanders through much of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley wine country.
The Surry County Wine Trail highlights 15 wineries in and around Surry County, along with five breweries and distilleries. An available trail map simplifies the experience of spending a day or two tasting wines and touring vineyards.
The map provides a geographical overview of the tasting rooms listed, as well as addresses for use in GPS devices, phone numbers and websites for all stops on the trail. The trail brochure details the varieties of grapes grown in the Yadkin Valley, along with information about lodging in wine country and a listing of annual events.
The wineries appreciate the trail maps as well, and offer them to visitors who may not know about the brochure.
“Maybe people came to see us because of a recommendation from one of our neighbors, and then we’ll recommend another neighbor,” says Tim Wahl, winemaker and co-owner of Adagio Vineyards in Elkin. “That’s something you don’t always get in other states, where there can be an hour between wineries. People really like to visit three or four within a day.”
Wahl likes the fact that visitors receive an up close and personal experience while visiting wineries in Surry County. “The personal stories behind the wineries are interesting,” Wahl says. “We try to be there in person to give them a tour of the production facility and go through, step by step, how we make the wines and let them know why our wineries are unique.”
Getting on the Wine Trail
The Surry County Wine Trail flows in and around the towns of Dobson, Elkin, Mount Airy and Pilot Mountain. It is easily accessible via Interstate 77, Interstate 74, U.S. Hwy. 421, U.S. Hwy. 52 and a number of state and secondary routes.
To request a free map by mail, or to download a copy, visit YadkinValleyNC.com. For more information, call the Surry County Visitors Center at 800-948-0949.
Viticulture Milestone
This year marks a 15-year milestone for the Yadkin Valley. It became North Carolina’s first federally designated American Viticultural Area in 2003 thanks to the efforts of owners Charlie and Ed Shelton of Shelton Vineyards in Surry County (viticulture is the cultivation of grapevines).
Wineries Along the Trail
Adagio Vineyards
139 Benge Dr., Elkin, NC 28621
adagiovineyards.com | 336-258-2333
Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery
170 Heritage Vines Way, Elkin, NC 28621
carolinaheritagevineyards.com | 336-366-3301
Elkin Creek Vineyard and Winery
318 Elkin Creek Mill Rd., Elkin, NC 28621
elkincreekvineyard.com | 336-526-5119
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
235 Chatham Cottage Ln., State Road, NC 2867
grassycreekvineyard.com | 336-835-2458
Herrera Vineyards
231 Vineyard Ln., Dobson, NC 2701
herreravineyards.com | 866-313-8008
Hutton Vineyards
178 Hutton Vineyard Ln., Dobson, NC 27017
huttonvineyards.com | 336-374-2621
JOLO Winery & Vineyards
219 Jolo Winery Ln., Pilot Mountain, NC 27041
jolovineyards.com | 336-614-0030
Jones von Drehle Vineyards & Winery
964 Old Railroad Grade Rd., Thurmond, NC 28683
jonesvondrehle.com | 336-874-2800
McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks
315 Thurmond P.O. Rd., Thurmond, NC 28683
mcritchiewine.com | 336-874-3003
Old North State Winery
308 N. Main St., Mt Airy, NC 27030
oldnorthstatewinery.com | 336-789-9463
Round Peak Vineyards
765 Round Peak Church Rd., Mt Airy, NC 27030
roundpeak.com | 336-352-5595
Shelton Vineyards
286 Cabernet Ln., Dobson, NC 27017
sheltonvineyards.com | 336-366-4724
Skull Camp Wines Tasting Room
2000 N. Bridge St., Elkin, NC 28621
skullcampbrewing.com | 336-258-8124
Slightly Askew Winery
913 N. Bridge St., Elkin, NC 28621
slightlyaskewwines.com | 336-835-2700
Stony Knoll Vineyards
1143 Stony Knoll Rd., Dobson, NC 27017
stonyknollvineyards.com | 336-374-5752
Surry Cellars*
Surry Community College
630 S. Main St., Dobson, NC 27017
surry.edu
* Tours by appointment only Tuesday through Friday when Surry Community College is open. Call to book tour at least one week in advance at (336) 386-3468 or (336) 386-3384.
Breweries and Distilleries
Angry Troll Brewing
222 E. Main St., Elkin, NC 28621
angrytrollbrewing.com | 336-258-2251
Mayberry Spirits
461 N. South St., Mt Airy, NC 27030
mayberryspirits.com | 336-719-6860
Skull Camp Brewing
2000 N. Bridge St., Elkin, NC 28621
skullcampbrewing.com | 336-258-8124
Thirsty Souls Community Brewing
238 Market St., Mt Airy, NC 27030
thirstysoulscommunitybrewing.com | 336-648-8255
White Elephant Beer Company
225 Market St., Mt Airy, NC 27030
whiteelephantbeer.com | 336-648-8277
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