Things to do / Travel Guide
The southern Appalachian Mountains region contains not one, but two wine areas, plus a number of other pockets where wine is made. Area number one is Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, and area number two is North Carolina's Yadkin Valley; but you'll also find some wineries in southeastern West Virginia and eastern Tennessee. This mountainous region is blessed with fertile soil throughout, and it's rich with beautiful views and historical attractions. Grab your wine glass and let's go for a swig.
To the region's north, you get typical varieties like Chardonnay, Johannesburg Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as more mid-Atlantic-specific varieties, like Chambourcin and Seyval. The farther south you go, the more Syrah and Viognier there is.
Wineries in the Shenandoah Valley
The hot days are tempered by the cool windy nights in the Shenandoah Valley, about an hour or so from Washington DC. The valley's been producing wine since the 1970s. The soil is particularly suited for viticulture, a fact owed to its limestone and sandstone deposits coming from the mountains.
The highlight of any trip to the Shenandoah should be a visit to Veramar Vineyard. It's the most-highly-acclaimed winery in the area, with a lineup including Cabernet Franc, Traminette, Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc. The Chardonnay in particular is celebrated as a truly Virginian interpretation of the variety.
Wineries around Roanoke
Moving on south, there are a few wineries worth your while around Roanoke. This has long been a top area for cultivating tobacco, and recently planters have tried their hands at grape growing. And they've met with some success.
This area's best, and possibly the best of Virginia, is Valhalla Vineyards. Located at the top of a 2,000-foot mountain overlooking Roanoke Valley - the scenery is stunning and the microclimate perfect for the growing of grapes. The soil in this area is set apart by its richness in granite.
There are some truly great wines in their catalogue, which they'll be happy to present to you on a visit. Names to watch for are Row Ten - a blend of French Chardonnay and Rhone Viognier, Dry Ros - a blend of Syrah and Cabernet Franc, Gotterdammerung - one of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and Norton. This latter is considered an American native. The stock was almost completely destroyed during Prohibition, but ever so slowly it's been making a comeback. If you haven't tried Norton yet, this is the place to do so.
Wineries of Yadkin Valley
Yadkin Valley is a truly new wine area, and vintners and their vineyard-keepers have brought it since the late 1990s from obscurity to the up-and-coming. The land has been farmland for centuries, and growing grapes was just a logical extension. Many of the original Muscadine and Scuppernong varieties that grew wild for centuries have been replaced with the cultivation of such standards as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
A case in point is Shelton Vineyards. The state-of-the-art facilities of this boutique winery, including oak barrels and stainless-steel fermentation canisters, would impress any winery on the West Coast. The grapes, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, White Riesling, Sangiovese, and Viognier, are picked strictly by hand.
Wineries in Roanoke, Asheville, Smoky, Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Southern Appalachian Mountains
Wineries
North Mountain Vineyard and Winery
Shenandoah Vineyards and Winery
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