Top 10 Wineries in the South
Sweet or dry, a full-bodied red or a light daytime white, fruit-forward or aged in oak barrels — these ten Southern wineries are some of the best in the country. With outdoor seating, quaint tasting rooms, exquisite wines, and home-grown hospitality, the South is a leader in America’s burgeoning wine production.
Mountain Brook Winery in North Carolina
The family-owned Mountain Brook Winery is a magical and delicious escape in the Tryon Hills of North Carolina. Started in 2002, Mountain Brook’s award-winning wines are served with authentic Southern hospitality. One winery with two labels — the Mountain Brook label showcases North Carolina-grown grapes exclusively and Discovery Heights highlighting grapes from outside North Carolina. With outdoor and pavilion seating able to accommodate more than 200 people, Mountain Brook is host to numerous events, like outdoor movies and live concerts, on their iconic lawn. Sip on their 2017 Pinot Noir with its lush, rich stone fruits and lightly toasted coffee notes, and supple and smooth finish, or enjoy a glass of Mountain Brook’s pale green, unoaked 2018 Chardonnay with a palate of citrus, apple, and honeysuckle. Focused on supporting local farms, Mountain Brook also offers a variety of food and drink, including visiting food trucks. With 15 wines available at any given time, Mountain Brook Winery is sure to satisfy the most refined oenophile.
mountainbrookvineyards.com
Lewis Wines in Texas
At Lewis Wines, enjoy the great wide yonder on their open-air covered patio with spectacular views of the Pedernales River Basin, while savoring a delectable wine. Located 3 minutes west of Johnson City, Lewis Wines is a must while exploring the Texas Wine Country. Made from Enchanted Rock Vineyards’ Albariño grapes that have been hand-harvested at night to ensure the maximum flavor, Lewis Wines’ 2018 Albariño is an enticing white, full of citrus and floral aromatics. A blend of Tannat, Syrah, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, and Cinsaut grapes, their 2016 Texas Red is gently aged in American oak barrels to create a bold and robust red wine. Perfect pairs with a scrumptious crème brûlée or Texas-grown candied pecans, the 2015 dessert Chenin is a delectable dessert white guaranteed to satisfy the most extreme sweet tooth.
lewiswines.com
Ashton Creek Vineyard in Virginia
Located in Chester, Virginia, Ashton Creek Vineyard is a hidden gem of Southern hospitality and unforgettable wines. Nestled in the heart of Central Virginia, embrace the tradition and flavors of one of a kind, handcrafted wines. Sit on the balcony overlooking the 9 acres of the verdant Thibault family grounds and experience the joy of Southern wine production. This family-owned and operated winery opened in the fall of 2016 and has become a staple in Virginia's ever-evolving wine scene. With notes of coconut and pear, Ashton Creek's Viognier is superb dry, medium-bodied white. A dark, juicy, and lightly spicy red, their Bailey’s Bold 2017 blend of Cabernet and Petit Verdot grapes aged from 12 months in French oak. Taste the sustainable solution of wine straight from the tap, or purchase a bottle to enjoy while exploring the great state of Virginia.
ashtoncreekvineyard.com
Habersham Vineyards and Winery in Georgia
Located in Nacoochee Village, half a mile south of the quaint Alpine town of Helen in Northeast Georgia, Habersham Vineyards and Winery has been producing exceptional wines since 1983. Committed to quality in every step of the wine-making process — from carefully monitoring the grapes as they grow to the crushing, fermentation, and aging process — Habersham’s attention to detail is unparalleled. With three different labels — Habersham Estate, Creekstone, and Southern Harvest — using vinifera, French American, and Southern Muscadine grapes, and aged in American, French, and Hungarian Oak Barrels — each wine has a unique spirit. From Southern Harvest’s Bubbly Blanc, a refreshing citrusy Chardonnay, to Creekstone’s Merlot, a luscious tannic red with notes of cedar and berries, to Habersham Estate’s Chalet White, a Riesling style wine with hints of lemongrass, Habersham is committed to classic wine profiles with creative and delectable flavors. The winery’s tasting room features a gift shop filled with gourmet foods from around the world and specialty wine products. Grab a bottle of wine, an imported cheese, or two, and enjoy a fantastic picnic at one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries.
habershamwinery.com
Wight-Meyer Vineyards in Kentucky
Indulge in Wight-Meyer Vineyard and Winery’s award-winning wines, made with Kentucky-grown grapes straight from the vine. Delight in an array of tasty wines, like their Silhouette Rose with notes of dried strawberries and cranberries, Kentucky Crimson Cabernet, a dry full-bodied wine with a spicy fruit-forward taste, or best-seller and Double Gold award winner, Kentucky Diamond, with its light, crisp feel and sweet fruity profile. Bullitt County's first commercial vineyard, Wight-Meyers Vineyard and Winery is a full-on sensory experience in the heart of Kentucky. Sample a variety of luscious wines while basking in the natural, rugged beauty of rural Kentucky.
wight-meyervineyards.com
Natchez Hills Vineyard and Winery in Tennessee
Situated in the rolling hills of Middle Tennessee, Natchez Hills Vineyard and Winery is a small, family-owned, and operated offering unique and beguiling flavors. This boutique winery is inspired by old-world style wines to create an elevated Tennessee wine experience. Enjoy sampling wines like their refreshing and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc, the sweet and slightly acidic Blueberry Wine, or the totally unique Naught Tea, a tea wine reminiscent of Southern-style sweet tea. Using traditional methods to create hand-crafted, small-batch wines, Natchez Hills combines southern culture and European charm to showcase the grape's true characteristics. Just south of Nashville near the historic Natchez Trace, spend an afternoon savoring supple wines, inhaling the fresh country air, and basking in the astoundingly gorgeous views of Tennessee.
natchezhills.com
Island Winery in South Carolina
In 2006, after years of visiting the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, owners Loren and Georgene Mortimer's passion for world-class wines became a Hilton Head family business. Handcrafted in small batches, Island Winery uses fresh grapes from the best grape-growing regions in the world. From their barrel-aged Italian-style Sangiovese to their old-world style Chardonnay aged in French and American oak to their Vintner's Reserve, a Rhone-style red blend, Island Winery has a wine to match every palate. Featuring southern grown fruits, Island Winery’s Low Country Specialty Wines is an experience unlike any other. Sample the Elderberry Honey Wine — produced by blending local honey and fresh elderberries to create a deliciously tangy and sweet wine. Kick back and relax with Southern Passion — a mix of locally grown red and white grapes, Carolina peaches, and Florida oranges for a spicy, fruity blush wine similar in flavor to Sangria. After an afternoon imbibing, it is easy to see why Island Winery is Hilton Head's landmark winery.
islandwinery.com
Pontchartrain Vineyards in Louisiana
Producing almost 2.500 cases per year, Pontchartrain Vineyards produce fine wines created from grapes from around the world and grown on the estate. Founded in 1991 by winemaker, John Seago, this 34.5-acre vineyard and winery located approximately 140 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico features over 2,400 square feet of wine production. The French provincial inspired tasting room is the perfect place to taste the 2014 Dauphine Petit Syrah, dark and rich made with fruit from the Livermore valley. The only winery in the state using traditional bunch/wine grapes, the culture and cuisine of Southeast Louisiana is found in every glass of wine — like the 2015 Voodoo Zin, a lightly fruity, and highly refreshing, Zinfandel.
In nearly every state throughout the South, top-tier winemakers are honing their craft with a fiery passion. Focusing on quality and not quantity, these vintners are using their years of knowledge, expertise, and love of good wine to bring the ultimate Southern Winery experience. Taste the subtle grace and splendor of one of America’s top wine-producing regions and be treated like family with the best southern hospitality.
