The perfect road trip distance from cities like Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh, Hendersonville is making a name for itself as a wine destination with soul. With every visit, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Bordeaux region of France—without ever leaving the Carolinas.
The Crest of the Blue Ridge Wine Country
This certified American Viticultural Area (AVA) is home to eight boutique wineries producing award-winning vintages from European vinifera, French-American hybrid grapes, and native North Carolina varieties. But what sets this region apart? Rocky, mineral-rich soil. Warm days and cool nights. And a sense of place that comes through in every glass in Hendersonville NC’s scenic wine country.
The Wineries
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Each winery here shares a story, and many are rooted in legacy. For example, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, Hendersonville’s first winery, sits on farmland that’s sustained the same family for nine generations. While you’re here, check out their sister property: Appalachian Ridge Artisan Ciders.
Sawyer Springs Vineyard and Souther Williams Vineyard
Sawyer Springs Vineyard and Souther Williams Vineyard are also family-run affairs. At Sawyer Springs, sip small-batch wines inside a rustic tasting barn, inviting you to linger. You’ll find traditional varietals here, plus fruit wines made from Muscadine, blueberry, and strawberry.
Souther Williams is a 200-year-old family farm that’s also one of the region’s newest wineries. They grow classics like Cabernet Franc and Vidal Blanc, along with unique European grapes, so each visit introduces a fresh surprise.
Johnson’s Legacy Vineyard
Having debuted in May, Johnson’s Legacy Vineyard officially became the eighth stop on the Crest of the Blue Ridge wine trail. The family began growing grapes in 2017, and their opening adds another chapter to the heritage of the AVA.
Stone Ashe Vineyard and Point Lookout Vineyards
Seeking big Blue Ridge Mountain views? Check out Stone Ashe Vineyard, where Bordeaux vines thrive on a bluff at 2,700 feet. Or, head to Point Lookout Vineyards, where 30-mile vistas meet traditional wines in a stunning mountaintop setting.
Marked Tree Vineyard
From there, make your way to Marked Tree Vineyard, which has been producing celebrated wines like Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Grüner Veltliner, Chardonel, and Vidal Blanc since 2020. Their newly opened winery and event space, next to their tasting room on the Eastern Continental Divide, is open daily.
Burntshirt Vineyards
Wrap up your tour at Burntshirt Vineyards, where some of the East Coast’s highest-elevation vines grow. Be sure to try their local apple wine, made with Honeycrisp, Fiji, and Pink Lady apples harvested nearby.
Plan Your Weekend
To sip your way through Hendersonville’s craft beverage scene, follow the Cheers! Trail. Beyond the tasting rooms, you’ll find cozy inns, farm-to-table restaurants, and a downtown of adorable local shops. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a spontaneous road trip with friends, Hendersonville NC wine country offers everything you need to turn a simple tasting into a complete summer escape.
And the best part? You don’t need an international passport to visit a wine region that rivals world-class. Just follow the mountain roads, raise a glass, and embrace that unmistakable feeling we call Gratitude at Altitude.
