How to Travel to North Carolina Wineries with a Group
Touring multiple wineries in a single day takes some strategy, especially when traveling with 10 or more people. Consider the following tips to ensure your group’s wine country tour goes off without a hitch:
- Make Reservations in Advance – Let the wineries know your group is coming so they can prepare for your visit. This is especially important for groups larger than 15 people.
- Map Your Route – Plan your route intelligently so you minimize backtracking. Look at a map of North Carolina wine country and choose wineries in somewhat close proximity.
- Limit Your Stops – Don’t overschedule your day. Visiting 4-5 wineries in one day is reasonable for most groups. Any more and you risk rushing or even missing stops entirely.
- Read Up On Wineries – Do some research ahead of time so you visit wineries suited to your group’s tastes. Focus on wineries known for varietals your guests enjoy.
- Pack Snacks – Bring nutritious snacks and non-alcoholic beverages to stay energized and hydrated throughout your wine tasting adventure.
- Sip Responsibly – Remind your group to consume wine in moderation to avoid overindulging. Our drivers strictly prohibit drunk passengers.
- Use a Shuttle Bus – Leave the driving to us! Booking group transportation alleviates the need to select designated drivers who miss the fun.
Why Choose Party Bus Company Durham
The best option for group winery tours is to leave the driving to the professionals and book a charter bus or passenger van. With Party Bus Company Durham, everyone can travel comfortably together so you don’t lose track of anyone. On board, you’ll find cushy seats, climate control, a restroom, and space for carry-ons. Upgraded buses may also have WiFi, charging ports, a sound system, and video screens so you can cue up a playlist or watch a movie during longer transfers. Our team will help select the perfect vehicle for your group’s size and needs.
As your professional driver handles the transportation logistics, you can simply relax and enjoy a carefree day of wine tasting without a worry. Leave whenever you please since you’re on your own schedule. Best of all, there’s no need to select a designated driver – your chauffeur has you covered! Call Party Bus Company Durham at 984-255-0439 to request a quote for group winery transportation. Now, let’s explore some of the top wine regions near major North Carolina cities.
Now let’s explore some noteworthy wineries to visit in key North Carolina wine regions.
Asheville Area Wineries
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the area surrounding Asheville offers breathtaking views in addition to fantastic wine. Here are some must-visit wineries on the outskirts of this mountain city:
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – This family-owned winery produces small batches of wines like dry Rieslings and hearty Cabernet Sauvignons. Visitors love the rustic tasting room overlooking the estate’s 22 acres of vineyards.
Address: 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Burntshirt Vineyards – Named after a legendary mountain once visible from the property, Burntshirt Vineyards crafts premium wines and offers tours of its gravity-flow production facility.
Address: 2695 Sugarloaf Rd, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Bold Rock Hard Cider – Though technically a cidery, Bold Rock is a fantastic stop for cider lovers to sample crisp, refreshing beverages made from local North Carolina apples.
Address: 72 School House Rd, Mills River, NC 28759
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. – Make a pit stop at this renowned craft brewery’s Asheville location for a behind-the-scenes tour and a flight of their award-winning beers on tap.
Address: 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28759
Winston-Salem Area Wineries
The area surrounding Winston-Salem has quietly become a bourgeoning wine destination in North Carolina. Here are some of the top tasting rooms to try:
Shelton Vineyards – This family-owned vineyard overlooking the Yadkin Valley has a spacious tasting room pouring Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and more.
Address: 286 Cabernet Ln, Dobson, NC 27017
Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery – Italian varietals like Montepulciano and Vermentino shine at this vineyard practicing traditional techniques. Stop by for the scenic grounds, tasting room, and Italian fare.
Address: 450 Groce Rd, Ronda, NC 28670
RayLen Vineyards & Winery – RayLen crafts wines from native North Carolina muscadine grapes. Enjoy a tasting, tour the barrel room, or pack a picnic to have on their outdoor grounds.
Address: 3577 Highway 158, Mocksville, NC 27028
Divine Llama Vineyards – In addition to wines like Dead Red Fred and Baaa Dass Red, Divine Llama’s tasting room offers opportunities to interact with their friendly llamas while you sip.
Address: 5349 Macedonia Rd, East Bend, NC 27018
Charlotte Area Wineries
Believe it or not, the Charlotte metro area has a handful of wineries crafting varietals from locally sourced grapes. Here are some of the top tasting rooms to visit just outside the city:
Daveste Vineyards – Open since 2011, this family-owned Cornelius winery produces small batches of wines like Chardonnay and Petit Verdot. Stop by Friday through Sunday to enjoy a tasting.
Address: 14620 Poplar Tent Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031
Full Moon Farm – Tour the vineyards and sip wine in an enchanting 150-year-old barn at this rustic Cabarrus County winery every Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
Address: 5641 Poplar Tent Rd, Concord, NC 28027
Windy Hill Orchard & Cidery – Though primarily known for their apples and cider, Windy Hill also makes wines like Traminette and Cherry Blossom from fruit grown on-site.
Address: 1860 Black Hwy, York, SC 29745
String Bean Farm – Open seasonally on Saturdays and Sundays, this small Catawba Valley winery crafts muscadine-based wines and blueberry wine from crops grown on the farm.
Address: 2559 Warlick Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090
Raleigh-Durham Area Wineries
The area surrounding North Carolina’s capital unsurprisingly boasts several fantastic wineries and tasting rooms:
Chatham Hill Winery – Open since 2008, Chatham Hill offers wine made from grapes grown throughout North Carolina. Bring your pup and relax outdoors while you enjoy their wide variety.
Address: 8245 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary, NC 27513
Grumpy Goat Vineyards – This creative winery near Cary uses science and art to produce one-of-a-kind flavors like jalapeño and chocolate wines.
Address: 4305 US-1, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Ruby Deluxe – Downtown Durham’s first urban winery sources grapes and fruit from North Carolina farms to create inventive blends and single varietals on-site.
Address: 416 Rigsbee Ave, Durham, NC 27701
Botanist & Barrel – Taste cider, mead, wine, and clean-drinking cocktails at this Cary tasting room and bottle shop representing over 100 local beverage producers.
Address: 135 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Triad Area Wineries
The Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina hosts a handful of fantastic vineyards and tasting rooms:
Native Vines Winery – Open since 2005, Native Vines was the first winery in Lexington. Stop by their cozy tasting room Thursday through Sunday to try wines like their classic Dry Red.
Address: 1336 N NC Highway 8, Lexington, NC 27292
Sanders Ridge Vineyard – This family-owned vineyard has a tasting room situated on a beautiful historic homesite dating back to the 1760s. Bring a picnic to enjoy the grounds.
Address: 2349 Gumtree Rd, Dobson, NC27017
McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks – McRitchie uses grapes from their vineyard and apples from Virginia to produce wines and hard ciders in Thurmond. Stay for live music on Saturdays!
Address: 315 Athens Rd, Thurmond, NC 28683
Deuce Deuce Winery – Located at an old dairy farm in Yadkinville, Deuce Deuce serves wine made on-site from muscadine grapes, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries in their tasting room.
Address: 2223 Shoals Rd, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Book a Wine Shuttle with Party Bus Company Durham
A group wine tour through North Carolina’s vineyard-dotted countryside offers an amazing opportunity to bond over shared interests and make lasting memories. Let Party Bus Company Durham provide a comfortable, reliable charter bus or passenger van to keep your group together. Our professional drivers will handle directions and parking so you can simply relax and enjoy your wine tasting adventure. Call us 24/7 at 984-255-0439 to request a group transportation quote. We look forward to helping your group explore North Carolina wineries in style!