There is something special about the first warm days of the year in North Carolina. The sun stays out a little longer, the air feels fresh, and suddenly a day trip to wine country sounds like the perfect plan.
Across the state, from the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the scenic Piedmont, North Carolina wineries are welcoming visitors back outdoors. Patios open up, vineyards begin to wake up for the growing season, and tasting rooms fill with the easy energy that only sunshine and good wine can bring.
If you have been waiting for the right moment to plan a winery visit, consider this your sign. Grab a few friends, bring your pup along for the ride, and spend an afternoon discovering the incredible wineries that make North Carolina such a vibrant wine destination.
If you are looking for North Carolina wineries with outdoor seating, here are some of the best regions and wineries to explore this season.
Raleigh, Durham & Triangle Area Wineries
The Triangle region offers several wineries and cideries just outside Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. These spots are perfect for a quick afternoon getaway, offering scenic farmland views, outdoor seating, and relaxed tasting experiences close to the city.
➤ Rock of Ages Winery
Hurdle Mills, NC
If sweet wine is your favorite, Rock of Ages is a great stop near the Triangle. The winery produces both sweet and dry wines and offers a laid-back outdoor seating area that is perfect for enjoying the sunshine.
➤ Botanist & Barrel Cidery & Winery
Ceder Grove, NC
Botanist & Barrel is known for its natural wines, pét-nat sparkling wines, and craft ciders made with locally sourced ingredients. The outdoor space is ideal for enjoying small-batch ciders while relaxing in the countryside just outside Durham and Chapel Hill.
➤ Cloer Family Vineyards
Apex, NC
Located just outside Raleigh, Cloer Family Vineyards offers a welcoming tasting room and patio seating overlooking the vines. It is one of the closest wineries to Raleigh and a popular destination for visitors looking for a relaxed outdoor wine tasting experience.
Coastal Crafters
If sweet wine is your go-to, you will love exploring the Coastal Plain wine region. This area is home to many of North Carolina’s heritage muscadine producers, where the native grape thrives in the warm coastal climate. These wineries offer welcoming outdoor spaces where visitors can enjoy locally produced wines deeply rooted in North Carolina tradition.
➤ Cypress Bend Vineyards
Wagram, NC
Cypress Bend Vineyards offers beautiful vineyard views and a welcoming outdoor space perfect for enjoying wine in the sunshine. Visitors can relax on the patio while taking in the scenic surroundings. Cypress Bend Vineyards is also known for hosting outdoor events and live jazz performances that create a lively winery atmosphere.
➤ Hinnant Family Vineyards
Pine Level, NC
One of the largest muscadine vineyards in North Carolina, Hinnant Family Vineyards offers plenty of space to relax and enjoy wine outdoors. Guests can sit outside and take in the vineyard views while sampling locally produced wines. Hinnant Family Vineyards is a must visit for anyone wanting to experience North Carolina’s heritage muscadine wines.
➤ Gregory Farms & Vineyard
Currie, NC
Gregory Farms & Vineyard combines a working farm with a relaxed winery experience. Visitors can enjoy wine outdoors while spending time in the peaceful rural setting. Gregory Farms & Vineyard offers a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy a sunny day in the countryside.
➤ Lu Mil Vineyard
Elizabethtown, NC
Lu Mil Vineyard is a popular destination in eastern North Carolina known for its beautiful grounds and welcoming patio seating. Visitors can relax outdoors with a glass of wine or stay overnight in the cozy vineyard cabins. Lu Mil Vineyard also hosts seasonal events and festivals that make it a fun destination for a weekend getaway.
Piedmont & Yadkin Valley Wineries
The Yadkin Valley AVA and surrounding Piedmont region are considered the heart of North Carolina wine country. Rolling vineyards, scenic countryside views, and award-winning wineries make this region ideal for weekend wine trips. Many wineries here offer outdoor seating along with food trucks, live music, and seasonal events.
➤ JOLO Winery & Rayson Winery
Pilot Mountain, NC
Owned by the same team but offering different wine experiences, these wineries focus on high quality wines and beautiful outdoor spaces. Both locations are adults only, offering a peaceful place to enjoy wine in the sunshine.
➤ Haze Gray Vineyards
Dobson, NC
Haze Gray Vineyards offers a welcoming outdoor space where visitors can relax with a glass of wine and enjoy the surrounding countryside. The patio area provides a comfortable place to spend a sunny afternoon.
➤ Childress Vineyards
Lexington, NC
One of the most well-known wineries in North Carolina, Childress Vineyards offers expansive outdoor seating areas overlooking the vineyards. Guests can enjoy tastings, stroll the grounds, or relax on the patio with a glass of wine.
➤ Divine Llama Vineyards & Farm
East Bend, NC
Divine Llama Vineyards offers one of the most unique winery experiences in North Carolina. Visitors can enjoy wine outdoors while spending time with the vineyard’s friendly resident llamas. Divine Llama Vineyards is a fun stop for guests looking for a relaxed and memorable tasting experience.
➤ FireClay Cellars
Siler City, NC
FireClay Cellars is one of the few certified organic vineyards in North Carolina. Guests can relax outdoors and enjoy exceptional wines produced from organically grown grapes. FireClay Cellars offers a peaceful countryside setting that highlights the beauty of sustainable winemaking.
➤ Junius Lindsay Vineyard
Lexington, NC
This boutique vineyard focuses on small batch wines and offers a relaxed countryside setting for visitors. Junius Lindsay Vineyard is known for producing expressive wines that highlight the unique terroir of the Yadkin Valley, making it a favorite stop for wine lovers exploring the region.
➤ Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Boonville, NC
Sanders Ridge Vineyard & Winery features beautiful grounds and outdoor seating that overlook the surrounding countryside. Visitors can relax outside and enjoy wine in a scenic setting. Expect a peaceful and elegant atmosphere perfect for a relaxed afternoon in wine country.
➤ Shelton Vineyards
Dobson, NC
Shelton Vineyards is one of the largest family-owned wineries in North Carolina and offers beautiful outdoor spaces surrounded by vineyards. Guests can enjoy wine on the patio while taking in the scenic landscape. Shelton Vineyards is a popular destination for visitors exploring the Yadkin Valley wine region.
Mountain Producers
North Carolina mountain wineries offer some of the most breathtaking views in the state, making them a perfect choice for spring and summer patio sipping. From Hendersonville to Banner Elk and Tryon, this region is filled with wineries that pair outdoor seating, fresh mountain air, and scenic vineyard views. The mountains are also home to a growing cider scene, so this area is a great destination for visitors who want to explore both North Carolina wineries and cideries while enjoying the sunshine.
➤ Marked Tree Vineyard
Flat Rock, NC
Marked Tree Vineyard offers a beautiful mountain winery setting with elegant outdoor seating areas overlooking the vines. Visitors can enjoy wine while taking in the scenic surroundings. Marked Tree Vineyard provides a relaxed yet refined tasting experience in the mountains.
➤ Stone Ashe Vineyard
Hendersonville, NC
Stone Ashe Vineyard offers a peaceful mountain winery experience with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Guests can relax outdoors while enjoying a glass of wine. Stone Ashe Vineyard is a favorite destination for visitors exploring mountain wineries.
➤ Souther Williams Vineyard
Fletcher, NC
Souther Williams Vineyard offers a welcoming tasting experience with outdoor seating surrounded by mountain scenery. Visitors can enjoy small batch wines in a relaxed setting. Souther Williams Vineyard provides a peaceful stop for those exploring the mountain wine region.
➤ Burntshirt Vineyards
Hendersonville, NC
Burntshirt Vineyards sits at one of the highest elevations for wine grapes on the East Coast and offers beautiful outdoor seating overlooking the vines. Burntshirt Vineyards also hosts regular events including live music and seasonal celebrations.
➤ Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Hendersonville, NC
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards offers a relaxed outdoor tasting experience surrounded by mountain views. Guests can enjoy wine while relaxing on the patio overlooking the vineyard. Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards is a beautiful stop in the Hendersonville wine region.
➤ Point Lookout Vineyards
Hendersonville, NC
Point Lookout Vineyards is known for having some of the best views in North Carolina. Visitors can enjoy wine outdoors while taking in sweeping mountain scenery. Point Lookout Vineyards offers an unforgettable mountaintop wine tasting experience.
➤ Grandfather Vineyard & Winery
Banner Elk, NC
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery offers a relaxing outdoor setting along the Watauga River. Guests can enjoy wine outdoors while taking in the beautiful mountain scenery. Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is a favorite destination for visitors exploring the High Country.
➤ Parker-Binns Vineyard
Mill Spring, NC
Parker-Binns Vineyard offers a welcoming outdoor space where visitors can relax with wine and enjoy the scenic foothills landscape. Parker-Binns Vineyard frequently hosts events and gatherings that make it a lively stop in the region.
➤ Mountain Brook Vineyards
Tryon, NC
Mountain Brook Vineyards is a large estate winery with expansive outdoor areas perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine. Guests can enjoy scenic vineyard views while spending time outdoors. Mountain Brook Vineyards provides plenty of space to enjoy sunshine and North Carolina wine.
Plan Your Next North Carolina Wine Country Trip
North Carolina wineries offer incredible outdoor spaces across the state, from scenic patios in the Yadkin Valley to mountain vineyards and coastal muscadine producers.
Whether you are planning a weekend wine trip or a quick afternoon getaway, spring is one of the best times to explore North Carolina wine country.
Grab your sunglasses, gather a few friends, and start planning your next winery visit.
Explore more wineries across the state at NCWine.org and discover your next favorite North Carolina winery.
