North Carolina Wine Country, Yes it’s a Real Place

Did you know North Carolina has a wine country? No really, they do! It’s the Yadkin Valley and it’s shaping up to be something pretty amazing.

We had no idea this little valley was a booming wine country. These wineries are nothing like the big ones you would encounter in the Napa Valley of California. Most are relatively new small batch wines and run by young families full of excitement and a deep love for the art and craft of wine making.

The area is beautiful, lush and absolutely down to earth. In fact there was a very hip vibe and crowd we never expected to exist in this rural area! There are no egos at the wineries and I don’t think anyone we met even owned a suit (or not that they would admit to anyway). Each winemaker has nothing but good things to say about their neighbors, “it’s not a competition but a community” they said. They want to see each vineyard succeed, of course knowing that the more they work together, the more the whole valley will benefit.

It’s no doubt that this area will continue to grow and prosper to something big. My advice, visit now while it’s still fresh and relatively new. There is something special about watching a place grow and being there in the “beginning”.

A BIG THANKS to:
McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks – Thanks for the behind the scenes tour and making some of the best cider ever!
Elkin Creek Vineyard – We are still missing your pizza…and the amazing views!
Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery – Liz, your rock!  Thanks for letting us crash in your parking lot for this intoxicating adventure!

Thanks to fellow RV’ers Mike & Lynne Bovender for convincing us to visit the area and finding us the great parking spots!