Less than ten minutes from one of North Carolina’s most scenic state parks, JOLO Vineyard & Winery is one of the highest-rated wineries in the Yadkin Valley. Start your day at Pilot Mountain State Park, but be sure to arrive early as parking fills up quickly. For a short and scenic hike, take the 0.8-mile Pilot Knob Trail, which circles the park’s iconic peak. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, begin at the Visitor Center and combine the Grindstone Trail with the Ledge Springs Trail. Keep in mind that JOLO is an upscale venue, so you may want to bring a change of clothes. The new Visitor Center at the state park has large, convenient restrooms, making it easy to freshen up before the quick ten-minute drive to the winery. Reservations are required whether you’re stopping by for a tasting or dining at their highly rated restaurant, End Posts. With a large selection of award-winning wines and a picturesque setting, you’re sure to find something to enjoy.

Just up the hill from the intersection of the Yadkin and Mitchell Rivers, Carolina Heritage Winery is veteran-owned and North Carolina’s first and only certified organic vineyard. If you have a kayak or paddleboard, start your adventure at Crater Park in Elkin and paddle 6.1 miles downriver to Burch Station—a scenic two-hour float perfect for fishing or just relaxing on the water. After kayaking, unwind at Carolina Heritage with a glass of their signature Apple Pie wine, a sweet white with just the right hint of spice. Prefer something else? Choose from their selection of dry reds, house-brewed beers on draft, or rotating taps featuring other North Carolina breweries.

Situated near the Grassy Creek Trailhead, Grassy Creek Vineyard offers direct access to miles of scenic hiking trails right from the tasting room parking lot. The Mountain to Sea Trail (or MST as it's known by North Carolina locals) runs through this area, so you get access to world-class hiking and water access. One of the best routes is to Carter Falls, a 3.8-mile trek that takes you across Grassy Creek, through a whimsical pine forest, and out to the serene Carter Falls. Other popular options include the Forest Bathing Trail, perfect for a peaceful nature walk, and the Grassy Creek Dam Offshoot. Whichever path you take, your adventure ends with a well-earned glass of wine. Choose from their full-bodied reds or unique semi-sweet series, bottled in charming glass milk bottles—a signature touch of this dairy farm turned winery.

Tucked between Elkin Creek and Grassy Creek, Elkin Creek Vineyard offers a serene escape where you can sip wine with your feet in the water. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chairs and settle in by the small beach area, the perfect spot to relax with a glass or bottle. As a boutique winery, their selection is carefully curated with a small collection of quality wines. Their most popular choices include the smooth and earthy Sangiovese, the Rossa (a Bordeaux-style blend), and the easy-drinking Adequate Red table wine. White wine lovers will enjoy the crisp and refreshing Soft White, an ideal companion for a lazy afternoon by the creek.

For a unique outdoor adventure head to Divine Llama Vineyards, where you can hike alongside friendly llamas on a scenic two-mile trek along Miller Creek. The guided walk lasts about two hours and features gentle trails, a few small creek crossings, and a mid-hike photo break to get the perfect selfie with a llama for social media. The trek begins and ends near the tasting room, making it easy to reward yourself afterward with a flight, glass, or bottle of wine. With 16 options to choose from, there’s something for every palate, whether you prefer a crisp white, a bold red, or a smooth, easy-drinking blend. Reservations for the llama treks must be made in advance, and it costs $50 per person. While last minute reservations are available for some treks, the roster often fills up quickly and spots for this fall are already open, so we recommend booking as far in advance as possible! Make your reservation here.

Interested in a more laid-back vineyard experience, but still want to interact with the charming llamas? Divine Llama's tasting room is open to the public, showcasing their wide variety of wines (a few of which are named after llamas who have lived at the farm!). From the Red Rita Rose to the rich merlot, you can customize your own wine tasting flight complete with 4 2-ounce pours for $15. After sipping and exploring the rolling hills of vineyards, take the walk down to the barns for a meet and greet with the resident llamas.

If you love disc golf, Round Peak Vineyards is the perfect spot to sip and play. Along with a spacious yard for practice, they offer an 18-hole course that’s beginner-friendly and exclusive to winery guests. The course is free with the purchase of a drink, and if you don’t have your own discs, you can borrow one with a refundable $5 deposit. Round Peak operates two distinct brands—Round Peak focuses on traditional French and Italian-style wines, while Skull Camp offers sweeter wines, cider, mead, and house-brewed beer.

Make Winston-Salem your home base for exploring these fun wineries and outdoor adventures. Request a Visitor Guide or sign up for our email newsletter now.