If you've spent time in the Yadkin Valley, you likely know the greatest hits—Raffaldini's Tuscan villa, Shelton's rolling vineyards, JOLO's mountain views, and Childress' scenic pavilion. They're the first stops on most Yadkin Valley itineraries—for good reason.

But beyond those headliners are dozens of wineries scattered across the region, many of them small family operations with a tasting bar, a porch, and a view. Many sit within 30 to 45 minutes of Winston-Salem—close enough to leave after breakfast and be home for dinner.

Here are four easy wine-country day trips built around some of the valley's most overlooked wineries. Along the way, you'll also find worthwhile stops for hiking, shopping, and exploring, so you're not simply driving from tasting room to tasting room. Let's go.

Swan Creek Trail: Multiple wineries, minutes apart

Where: Hamptonville (Yadkin County), about 30 minutes west of Winston-Salem

The Swan Creek AVA is one of the region's most concentrated wine areas, with several wineries just minutes apart. While they're all worth a visit, these are the ones we'd start with.

• Windsor Run Cellars & Distillery. North Carolina's first winery to also house a distillery and meadery, Windsor Run produces fortified wines using its own artisan brandy. Tastings include optional distillery tours, and sister winery Shadow Springs sits less than a mile away.
• Shadow Springs Vineyard. Operated by the same family as Windsor Run, Shadow Springs offers a more traditional winery experience, with dry and sweet wines, a spacious covered patio, and a relaxed tasting room along the Swan Creek Wine Trail.
• Dobbins Creek Vineyards. (pictured) Ten minutes north of Windsor Run, this woman-owned winery is especially known for its reds—including the sweet Hemric Mountain Red—and dry Riesling. The covered porch and patio are worth lingering on almost as much as the wine.

See & Do Nearby: One of North Carolina's two Amish communities calls this area home, and several Amish-owned businesses welcome visitors. Start at Shiloh General Store, known for fresh sourdough, deli sandwiches, baked goods, and pantry staples. Nearby, Wholesome Country Creamery serves ice cream, yogurt, and kefir made from milk produced on the family farm, while Home Acres Fine Furniture showcases handcrafted Amish furniture inside a restored farmhouse.

Plan It: If you're pairing the wineries with the Amish-owned businesses, Saturday is generally the easiest day to make everything work. In fall, consider adding Alpha & Omega Corn Maze, just a few minutes away, for hayrides, a 20-acre corn maze, and other seasonal attractions.

Little Italy: The grand wineries of Ronda

Where: Ronda, about 45 minutes west of Winston-Salem

Raffaldini Vineyards put this stretch of road on the map, but three neighboring Italian-inspired wineries deserve a stop of their own. All four sit within about a mile of one another in tiny Ronda.

• Piccione Vineyards (pictured). Founded by the grandson of a Sicilian immigrant, Piccione specializes in Italian varietals like Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Vermentino. The elegant tasting room features soaring timber ceilings, an underground barrel room, and sweeping Blue Ridge views. Live music is common on weekends.
• Castello Barone. One of the valley's newest wineries, Castello Barone is owned by two military veterans and certified sommeliers with deep Italian family roots. Expect small-production wines and Italian varietals, including Vermentino and Setoso, a Montepulciano-Petit Verdot blend.
• Sotrio Vineyards. The most laid-back stop in the cluster, Sotrio is also the only winery here where you can order both wine and beer flights thanks to its on-site microbrewery. Dogs and kids are welcome, making it an easy place to linger. Fun fact: Sotrio stands for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Is Ours."

See & Do Nearby: One of the state's best paddling outfitters, the NC River Riders, ten minutes from the vineyards on Big Bend Road, offers tubing, kayaking, and canoeing on the Yadkin River from late spring through fall. October foliage floats are especially scenic. Before heading out, grab breakfast at Country Corner Cafe, a longtime local favorite on Elkin Highway.

Plan It: If you're planning to paddle, do that first and save the wine for afterward. Even shorter river trips take a couple of hours and require advance reservations.

Elkin Excursion: Waterfalls, trails & tastings

Where: Elkin area, about 45 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem

While Shelton Vineyards and Stone Mountain are the area's big draws, several standout wineries are just minutes away—making this one of the easiest wine-country day trips to pair with a morning hike.

• Grassy Creek Vineyards (pictured). Set on a former dairy farm, Grassy Creek occupies an old milking barn with a tasting room inside a converted horse stable. Beyond the wine, trails lead from the property toward Carter Falls, including North Carolina's first designated forest bathing trail. Hike first, then relax around one of the winery's fire pits with a glass in hand.
• Elkin Creek Vineyard. This picturesque winery sits beside the ruins of an 1896 grist mill and is best known for its Sunday wood-fired pizzas. Pizzas require advance reservations and tend to fill up quickly, but the combination of handcrafted pizza, creekside seating, and estate wines makes the extra planning worthwhile. Four on-site cabins offer the option of staying overnight.
• Jones von Drehle Vineyards. About 10 minutes north of Elkin Creek, Jones von Drehle is an estate winery producing every bottle from grapes grown onsite. A spacious patio overlooks the vines, while an outdoor amphitheater hosts concerts during the warmer months.

See & Do Nearby: One of the state's top hiking spots, Stone Mountain State Park, anchors this itinerary with a massive 600-foot granite dome, scenic waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails. The signature 4.5-mile loop reaches the summit, passes a historic homestead, and descends beside the park's 200-foot waterfall. Looking for something shorter? Carter Falls is just minutes from Grassy Creek Vineyard and offers an easier walk with a big payoff.

Plan It: Consider packing a lunch and enjoying a picnic at Stone Mountain before heading to the wineries. If hiking is part of your plans, check current trail conditions before you go.

Mount Airy Escape: Mountain views & Mayberry

Where: Mount Airy and Dobson, 30–45 minutes north of Winston-Salem

Mount Airy is best known as the hometown of Andy Griffith, but beyond Mayberry you'll find several scenic wineries scattered across the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

• Round Peak Vineyards (Mount Airy). Sitting at nearly 1,300 feet, Round Peak pairs mountain views with estate wines, craft beer, and cider. Bring a picnic, play a round on the vineyard's 18-hole disc golf course, or settle in on the covered patio overlooking the vines.
• Serre Vineyards (pictured). Just four miles away, also in Mount Airy, Serre delivers sweeping vineyard views, weekend food trucks, and an inviting setting that's especially appealing late in the day. Want to linger longer? Overnight lodging is available on the property.
• Haze Gray Vineyards (Dobson). Named for the distinctive paint color of U.S. Navy ships, this veteran-owned winery specializes in estate-grown wines while honoring generations of military service. Visitors can add photos of their own family veterans to the winery's Wall of Honor.
• Stony Knoll Vineyards (Dobson - ). Family-owned on the same farmland since 1896, Stony Knoll feels more like visiting a friend's home than a traditional tasting room. The welcoming atmosphere and scenic hilltop setting make it an easy place to linger.

See & Do Nearby: Downtown Mount Airy fully embraces its connection to The Andy Griffith Show, which drew inspiration from Andy Griffith's hometown. Tour the streets in a vintage squad car, visit the Andy Griffith Museum, grab the famous pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch, or catch a live old-time music broadcast at the historic Earle Theatre on Saturday mornings.

Bonus: Add the Blue Ridge Parkway. If you've got extra time, turn your wine outing into one of the nation's most scenic roadways, nicknamed "America's Favorite Drive." The best way to do this: Head north on U.S. 52 through Mount Airy, hop on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Fancy Gap, then follow the Parkway south toward Elkin.  Along the way, stop at the Blue Ridge Music Center for mountain music and sweeping views before descending back toward wine country near NC 18.  

Tips Before You Go

• Double-check the details. Small, family-run wineries can have limited or seasonal hours, and reservation requirements, food policies, and special events can change. Confirm the day's details directly with each stop before heading out. The same applies to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which can also close because of weather, downed trees, or maintenance, so check current road conditions beforehand.

• Take your time. Rather than trying to visit every winery in a cluster, plan around two or three tasting rooms and leave room for the parks, restaurants, and small towns along the way. Wine country is better when you don't rush it.

• Drive/hike first, taste second. If you're adding a hike or the Blue Ridge Parkway to your itinerary, make that the first part of your day. 

Start in Winston-Salem

As the Gateway to the Yadkin Valley, Winston-Salem is the perfect home base for exploring North Carolina's wine country. Spend the day among the vineyards, then return to the city for walkable restaurants, cocktail bars, and evening entertainment.  Explore our Hotels Near Wineries for some top lodging options.

Want to leave the driving to someone else? There are multiple Tour & Transportation Options departing from Winston-Salem, and most will pick you right up from your hotel.