10 Best Wineries and Wine Tastings in Raleigh, NC
June 21st, 2024
Wineries and Wine Tastings in Raleigh
Are you searching for the best wineries and wine tastings in Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great wineries and wine-tasting rooms in Raleigh to check out.
Wine is an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes that has been produced for thousands of years. Its history is long and fascinating, and this popular beverage is often consumed before dinner, after a long day, or at a celebration with friends and family.
The United States is home to many wine regions, and while Napa Valley and Sonoma County in California might be some of the most well-known, North Carolina has its own fair share of wineries and vineyards that produce high-quality wines.
If you live in Raleigh or are just visiting the area, you might not know that Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle region are home to a few wineries and tasting rooms offering a great selection of tasty wines.
The Southeastern United States is best known for its muscadine grape vine species, which many wineries and vineyards in North Carolina use to make most of their wines. Muscadine wine is typically sweet and can have an acquired taste.
Whether you are a wine connoisseur or simply love trying new things, the wineries and wine shops found in Raleigh are a must-visit and often offer wine tastings and tours.
Tasting rooms are a fun way to learn about wine and discover new ones you might like and want to purchase. Here are Raleigh's ten best wineries and wine tastings, perfect for a date night or a chill evening.
Visit these wineries and tasting rooms in Raleigh
Chapters
1. Chatham Hill Winery
Address: 8245 Chapel Hill Rd, Cary, NC 27513
Established in 1999, Chatham Hill Winery is a beautiful winery that offers tours and tastings. Considered the first winery in the Triangle area and the 14th in the state, it is loved for its hand-crafted wines and traditional wine-making methods.
All wines are of the highest quality and are made using grapes grown locally in North Carolina. With a mission to produce distinctive, clean, and handcrafted wines, all wines are aged, blended, and bottled in-house.
As one of the state's oldest and most respected wineries, Chatham Hill Winery has made a name for itself and is known for its sweet and traditional European-style wines.
Featuring multiple events throughout the year, band nights in the spring and summer, outdoor seating, charcuterie boards, and a fun-tasting menu, visiting Chatham Hill Winery is a fun and memorable experience. This is the perfect place for a date night.
2. Cloer Family Vineyards
Address: 8624 Castleberry Rd, Apex, NC 27523
Cloer Family Vineyards is a local, family-owned winery in Apex. It is also the only family-owned farm in the immediate Triangle area. This winery grows its own grapes and produces its own wines on-site.
Surrounded by a beautiful outdoor setting and providing a tasty wine selection with plenty of southern charm and hospitality, Cloer Family Vineyards is a must-visit for great wine and good times.
Established in 2010, this winery offers a unique and fun experience by taking visitors through every part of the winemaking process. Specializing in muscadine wines, all wines are available for purchase and are $22 per 750mL bottle.
3. ZincHouse Winery and Brewery
Address: 6225 Wake Forest Hwy, Durham, NC 27703
Zinchouse Winery and Brewery is located in Durham, about a 40-minute drive from Downtown Raleigh. It is known as one of the best Triangle wineries and an exciting destination for wine, beer, bourbon, and cigars.
Situated on 87 acres of land, this unique establishment is specifically for guests who are 21 and over. Established in 2022, Zinchouse Winery and Brewery is a newer destination with many fun on-site activities.
Featuring live music, food trucks, fire pits, and a carriage house that hosts wine tastings and private events, this vineyard and brewery always has something exciting going on.
4. Gregory Vineyards
Address: 275 Bowling Spring Dr #9052, Angier, NC 27501
Gregory Vineyards is located in a rural area of Johnston County, the 106th winery in North Carolina. Specializing in muscadine wines and juices, this winery in Angier is a vineyard and winery, a restaurant, and an event center for weddings and receptions.
Tastings are available on the wine porch, which overlooks the lakefront vineyard. Between August and September, visitors can also pick their own muscadine grapes, which is a fun and unique experience.
5. Vita Vite Midtown
Address: 200 Park at N Hills St #130, Raleigh, NC 27609
Vita Vite Midtown is a cute wine bar and art gallery in North Hills, which is a lively neighborhood and shopping center with high-end retail stores, restaurants, and boutiques.
Providing a relaxing and intimate atmosphere, Vita Vite Midtown is the prime destination for a girls' night or a romantic evening. Serving internationally curated wines, craft beers, and small bites, get cozy and relax after a long day at work with a glass or two.
The bar offers 360-degree views of Midtown Park, which is a popular outdoor gathering space known for its community events, live music, and large green space.
Beautiful works of Southern art for sale are on display throughout the space. They are sourced from local artisans and vendors. Reservations are not accepted.
6. The Raleigh Wine Shop
Address: 317 S Bloodworth St, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Raleigh Wine Shop is a small local business and hidden gem known for its great selection of wines, affordable prices, friendly staff, and welcoming vibe. This modern wine shop has been serving the Downtown Raleigh area since its opening in 2011.
This neighborhood wine shop sells some of the world's most delicious local and artisanal wines, making this a great spot to try new wines, whether you are a daily or social drinker. Featuring food trucks and fun events, including trivia nights and wine and cheese pairings, make sure to check the calendar for information about what is happening at the shop.
The Raleigh Wine Shop also offers a wine club and a monthly membership that offers exclusive discounts on premium wine packs. Sign up now online in order to discover new wines and take advantage of great benefits.
7. Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar at Highpark Village
Address: 1914 Bernard St, Raleigh, NC 27608
Recognized as the longest-operating independent wine shop in Raleigh, Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar at Highpark Village has been serving the area for over 25 years.
Home to a wide selection of wine, including imported and small-batch beers, the staff is known to be very knowledgeable, and there are always new wines to try. No matter what type of wine you want to try, Seaboard Wine and Tasting Bar at Highpark Village is bound to have it in stock.
Once located in Seaboard Station, Highpark Village is the store's new location, which is very nice and modern. Hosting tastings and events throughout the week, information about current wines in store can be found on the website.
8. Hinnant Farms Vineyard and Winery
Address: 826 Pine Level Micro Rd, Pine Level, NC 27568
Located in Pine Level, which is about a 40-minute drive southeast of Raleigh, lies Hinnant Farms Vineyard and Winery. This is the oldest and largest commercial muscadine vineyard in North Carolina, on over 100 acres of land.
For over 47 years, Hinnant Farms Vineyard and Winery has been making only the best dry red, white, and sweet suppernong wines. Home to 39 award-winning wines and ports, each bottle is made with care on-site.
Tastings are available daily as long as you arrive at least an hour before closing and are between $14 and $16 per person. Tours of the winery are given on Saturdays and Sundays as long as there is enough staff available.
Featuring a summer concert series that is open to both members and non-members, as well as events throughout the year, Hinnant Farms Vineyard and Winery provides a fun and exciting experience for everyone. Public tours are free and can take up to 30 minutes.
9. Chatham Street Wine Market
Address: 111 W Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Chatham Street Wine Market is the go-to wine shop and tasting bar in Downtown Cary. First opened in 2015, this small business is a boutique wine shop with a mission to make wine a daily part of your life.
Best known for having a great variety of wine and knowledgeable staff, there are plenty of comfortable seating areas inside, and the shop is located near Downtown Cary Park, making this a prime destination for wine shopping.
Chatham Street Wine Market sells wines from small family-run estates that are organically grown and affordably priced. For those interested in free wine tastings, they occur every Thursday in the shop from 5 PM to 7 PM.
10. The Wine Feed
Address: 602 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
The Wine Feed is a small wine shop in Downtown Raleigh located on Glenwood Avenue. It offers friendly service, great prices, and an extensive selection of wines.
Also home to a Downtown Durham location, The Wine Feed is the place to be for all things wine, whether you are shopping for yourself or a good friend. Supporting small family-owned wineries and vineyards, this wine shop prioritizes quality winemaking and provides a wide selection of nice wines from around the world.
The wine menu changes every month, and the Durham location offers a full food menu from Wednesday through Saturday. Offering complimentary wine tastings on Wednesdays, cooking classes, and even a book club, this local wine shop is a great place to hang out and enjoy good wine with friends.
Methodology
We used data and information from many local wineries and wine shops, including Wine Searcher and USA Wine Ratings, to determine the best wineries and wine tastings in Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
What is the best time of year to visit NC wineries?
The best time to visit the wine country of North Carolina is during peak season and harvest time, which is between August and October. Keep in mind that this is also generally the most crowded time of the year to visit the wineries.
What wine is North Carolina known for?
North Carolina is best known for its native muscadine grapes and European style vinifera grapes which are used for making Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Riesling.
Where are the most wineries in NC?
Most of the wineries in North Carolina are located in the Yadkin Valley region which is one of the most prominent wine regions on the East Coast and is home to more than 40 vineyards and wineries.
Best Wineries and Wine Tastings in Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
Wine may not be the drink of choice for everyone but if you are of legal drinking age and are looking for something fun to do, consider spending the day at one of Raleigh's local wineries or wine shops that offer tastings and events.
While you are in the area, consider finding your dream home in Raleigh with the help of the experts at Raleigh Realty. Contact us today for more information about homes for sale and what life is like in Raleigh.
Ryan Fitzgerald
Hi there! Nice to 'meet' you and thanks for visiting our Raleigh Real Estate Blog! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I'm a REALTOR® in Raleigh-Durham, NC, the owner of Raleigh Realty. I work alongside some of the best Realtors in Raleigh. You can find more of my real estate content on Forbes, Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and more. Realtor Magazine named me a top 30 under 30 Realtor in the country (it was a long time ago haha). Any way, that's enough about me. I'd love to learn more about you if you'd like to connect with me on Facebook and Instagram or connect with our team at Raleigh Realty. Looking forward to connecting!
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