North Carolina Wineries Worth the Drive from Saluda
A Wine Country Getaway Between Two AVAs
Saluda sits in the best spot for exploring North Carolina wineries. The Tryon Foothills AVA covers Polk County to the south, and the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA covers wine country around Hendersonville to the north. Both are within about half an hour of our inn, which makes a wine country getaway easy to plan without long drives eating into your tasting time. Here are the North Carolina wineries we recommend most often when guests ask where to start.
Wineries Near Tryon, NC
About 25 minutes from the inn, Parker-Binns Vineyard sits on a 40-acre estate in Mill Spring within the Tryon Foothills AVA, pouring Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, and several other varieties from tasting areas overlooking the vines. A few minutes further, Overmountain Vineyards produces French-inspired estate wines and includes a certified section of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail crossing its property. Nearby, Mountain Brook Vineyards offers walk-in tastings on The Lawn or a reserved guided tasting in the Vintner Room, making it flexible for groups with different preferences.
Wineries Near Hendersonville, NC
Burntshirt Vineyards farms two vineyards at elevations up to roughly 3,400 feet within the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, with tastings, tours, and a meal at the on-site Vintner’s Table. Stone Ashe Vineyards focuses on Bordeaux-influenced reds in a tasting room overlooking the mountains, and it’s a 21-and-older property, so it suits couples looking for a quieter visit. Point Lookout Vineyards sits at about 3,000 feet with panoramic views that can stretch toward Mount Mitchell on a clear day. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, on land the Ward family has farmed for generations, keeps things relaxed with weekend live music and food trucks alongside its daily tastings.
A Longer Day Trip to Biltmore Estate Winery
About an hour from Saluda, Biltmore Estate Winery is the most-visited winery in the country, and visiting the estate for a Biltmore Mansion tour is among the most popular things to do near Saluda. Complimentary tastings are currently included with estate admission and don’t require a separate reservation, though you’ll need a valid ticket, annual pass, or qualifying stay to access the winery. It pairs well with a full day at Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village, so we suggest treating it as its own Asheville outing.
Your Bed and Breakfast in the NC Mountains for This Wine Country Getaway
Wine country is only half the trip. The Orchard Inn is a historic Bed and Breakfast in the NC mountains, built in 1926 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, just five minutes from downtown Saluda and within easy reach of both AVAs. We offer nine rooms in the main inn, five cottages, and two luxury suites across 12 acres, several with mountain views and fireplaces.
Mornings start with a full, made-to-order breakfast served in our glassed-in dining room overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. In the evening, Newman’s Restaurant serves a weekly-changing, farm-to-table menu built around produce from our own organic garden, with dinner Thursday through Saturday and Sunday brunch. Between winery visits, guests can book a massage or facial at our on-site spa, unwind in the outdoor cedar sauna, or settle onto the porch with a book.
Book your stay at The Orchard Inn and use it as your home base for a North Carolina wine country getaway, with vineyards in two AVAs close by and a quiet mountain retreat waiting for you at the end of each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wineries are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has roughly 200 wineries statewide, though the number shifts from year to year across several federally recognized growing regions, including the two nearest to Saluda.
Which North Carolina wineries are closest to Saluda?
Parker-Binns Vineyard and Burntshirt Vineyards are among the closest, each about 25 minutes from the inn, with Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards a similar distance in the Hendersonville area.
Do North Carolina wineries near Saluda require reservations?
It varies by winery. Overmountain and Stone Ashe recommend reservations, especially for groups, and Burntshirt requires them for parties of six or more. Mountain Brook’s Lawn tastings and Biltmore’s complimentary tasting don’t currently require one.
Is Biltmore Estate Winery worth the extra drive?
For many guests, yes. It’s farther than the other wineries on this list, but it’s the most-visited winery in the country and lets you build a full day around Biltmore House and Antler Hill Village.