Wineries & Vineyards

Overnight Winery Stays

Varied Accommodations Options Abound

At several North Carolina wineries, the enjoyment doesn’t stop when the tasting room closes. More and more wineries now feature unique overnight accommodations options to extend the great grape experience.

The Country Squire
Located between the historic Duplin County towns of Warsaw and Kenansville, The Country Squire Restaurant, Vintage Inn, Winery and Gift Shop features two types of accommodations options. The Vintage Inn offers a motel-like experience, with bucolic views of the grounds, while the Guest House features four unique rooms with private baths and furnished with antiques and Scottish tartan themes. The Country Squire operation is family-owned and –operated and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011.

Treehouse Vineyards
Treehouse Vineyards in Monroe (about 25 minutes southeast of Charlotte) is aptly named for treehouses adjoining the property. Papa’s Dream Treehouse is available for overnight rentals in a secluded setting overlooking the vineyards. Amenities include a queen-sized bed in the loft, kitchenette, sitting area, bathroom with shower, a deck with a grill and a tasting for two of Treehouse’s muscadine wines, plus two souvenir glasses. Treehouse Vineyards also features the rustic Date Nite Treehouse, which can be rented for an afternoon or evening to enjoy views from the porch 30 feet in the air. 

Childress Vineyards
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites at Lexington’s Childress Vineyards furthers NASCAR legend Richard Childress’s passion for the good life. Located next to the winery and offering rooms that overlook the vineyards, the hotel offers all amenities and services, including heated indoor pool, 24-hour fitness center, and complimentary hot breakfast bar (including legendary cinnamon rolls).

RagApple Lassie Vineyards
Hobson House guest cottage at RagApple Lassie Vineyards near Boonville features a front porch overlooking the vineyards and much more. Built in 1931 by the father of RagApple’s owner, Frank Hobson, the three-bedroom bungalow-style house features an eclectic mix of furnishings and lots of family memorabilia. There’s a living room, dining room, full-equipped kitchen, two full baths, cable TV, wi-fi, and several patios that pair nicely with the porch (and RagApple’s award-winning Yadkin Valley wines).

Shelton Vineyards
Opened in 2007 to rave reviews, the Hampton Inn and Suites at Shelton Vineyards near Dobson in the Yadkin Valley is the only hotel in the well-respected chain that features a wine bar. Conveniently situated just up the road from Shelton, the hotel features a variety of room options (including whirlpool suites), complimentary breakfast, meeting space, free high speed internet access, and the very popular wine bar, open every evening.

Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery
The historic Klondike Cabins at Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery near Elkin feature cabin experiences paired with Grassy Creek’s Yadkin Valley wines. The large main log cabin has four bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, large entertainment and dining areas, full kitchen, antiques and artwork, and more. Playhouse and Hanes log cabins come as two-bedroom and two-bath duplexes, with a game room replete with pool table, bar, TV, and stereo. Satellite TV is available throughout the cabin complex.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate
The Inn on Biltmore Estate offers the ultimate ticket to a luxurious Vanderbilt-like Asheville stay at Biltmore’s 8,000-acre estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The four-star Inn is ranked as one of Travel & Leisure’s “500 World’s Best Hotels.” Guests enjoy a variety of experiences onsite, including exclusive Land Rover Experience Driving School, horseback riding, fly-fishing, shooting clays, biking, river float trips, indulgent spa services and gourmet dining. Other highlights of a stay include a tour of the 250-room Biltmore House, historic gardens and Antler Hill Village. Biltmore Winery offers complimentary wine tastings and guided tours to learn about the art and science of winemaking. 

Banner Elk Winery & Villa
Situated in the High Country, Banner Elk Winery & Villa is a luxury bed-and-breakfast one mile from the town of Banner Elk. With names like Zinfandel Suite and Seyval Blanc Suite, the Tuscan-inspired Villa features eight unique suites, with king- or queen-sized beds, fine linens, plush robes, free wi-fi, Jacuzzi® tubs and beautiful mountain views. Two of the suites have gas fireplaces. Guests of The Villa also enjoy a gourmet breakfast and free wine tasting, as well as the availability of soothing spa services and in-room massages.

Many other wineries and vineyards offer the opportunity to spend the night near the vines. The possibilities include:

• The Inn d’Vine and camping at Grapefull Sisters Vineyard on the southeast coast down near North Carolina-South Carolina state line
• Six varied Vineyard Cabins at Lu Mil Vineyard east of Lumberton near Dublin
• Cabin in the Vines and Cabernet Cabin at Autumn Creek Vineyards 40 miles north of Winston-Salem
• The renovated 1860s Wine Lodge cabin at Stony Knoll Vineyards near Dobson
• Four-bedroom Winery House at dog-friendly Round Peak Vineyards near Mt. Airy
• Varied farmhouse rooms in circa 1860 Laurinda House Lodge at Chateau Laurinda Vineyard near Sparta

For more on North Carolina's wineries and vineyards, go to VisitNCWine.com.

By Lynn and Cele Seldon

added: March 7, 2012

updated: November 28, 2012