Stretching from Winston-Salem and western Forsyth County to Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin Counties, the valley takes its name from the Yadkin River, which begins in Blowing Rock and winds southeast before merging with the Pee Dee River. This river first provided Native American tribes with a means of travel, trade, and sustenance, later becoming the foundation for thriving agricultural communities established by European settlers. Tobacco once dominated the landscape as the region’s primary cash crop, but fields of grain, soybeans, hay, and vegetables were also planted here. Today, tobacco farms have largely been replaced by vineyards, and the Yadkin Valley has become North Carolina’s premier wine destination, drawing visitors eager to explore its rolling hills and acclaimed wineries.

Long before the first European settlers arrived, the area around the Yadkin River was home to Indigenous tribes who relied on its waters and fertile banks to build their communities. It wasn’t just one tribe here, but many who thrived after transitioning from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Among the most well-known were the Saura, Catawba, Tutelo, Saponi, and Cherokee. At one point, the banks of the Yadkin River held the largest concentration of Native Americans in what is now North Carolina. The valley’s fertile land and abundant water sources—including the Yadkin River and its many tributaries—made it an ideal place for settlement. By the year 1000, large villages had formed along the river, spaced every three to seven miles, creating a network of thriving Indigenous communities.

As European settlers arrived and Indigenous populations were displaced, the fertile land that once sustained Native American villages became the foundation for an agricultural economy that would shape the region for centuries. Tobacco was the most popular cash crop in the Yadkin Valley, playing a pivotal role in shaping the economy—particularly in Winston-Salem, where the R.J. Reynolds family built their thriving business around it. Alongside tobacco, farmers cultivated various grains, especially corn and soybeans, as well as some fruit crops, while also raising livestock such as cattle and poultry. However, as regulations on tobacco use tightened, many farmers faced difficult decisions. Some chose to diversify their crops or transition to new industries, while others sold their land and moved on. Old tobacco and dairy farms were gradually replaced by vineyards, paving the way for the Yadkin Valley’s emergence as North Carolina’s premier wine country.

Wine has been produced in North Carolina for centuries, with the state's winemaking history tracing back to The Mothervine, the nation’s oldest known cultivated grapevine, located on Roanoke Island. Though the wine industry thrived, it was all but wiped out during Prohibition. It wasn't until the late 20th century that vineyards began making a comeback. In 2003, the Yadkin Valley earned federal recognition as North Carolina’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA)—a designation by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for grape-growing regions with distinct geographic or climatic characteristics. While many associate North Carolina with sweet muscadine wine, the Yadkin Valley’s red clay soil and temperate climate make it ideal for producing bold, dry wines in the style of Italian and French varietals.

While agriculture has always been at the heart of the region, the shift from tobacco fields to vineyards has given the valley a new identity, attracting wine lovers and travelers eager to experience its rolling landscapes and award-winning wines. The best way to explore the Yadkin Valley is by basing yourself in Winston-Salem, a city connected to the region’s past and present. Situated as the gateway to the Yadkin Valley, you have easy access to dozens of wineries, attractions and cultural experiences like Old Salem Museums & Gardens, Reynolda House Museum of American Art and the adjacent Reynolda Gardens, and a wide variety of dining options. Worried about the drive? We've compiled a guide of top-rated wine country transportation and tour options, so you can sit back (or sip back) all day without lifting a finger!

Feeling inspired? Start planning your trip to Winston-Salem today by requesting a visitor guide