Wineries & Vineyards

Yadkin Valley: Swan Creek – Piedmont Trail

Four Wineries, Distance Of 16.8 Miles – Located just west of Interstate 77 in Wilkes and Yadkin Counties, these five wineries make up the Swan Creek Vineyard Association, all a relatively short drive from each other.  All specialize in varietal wines and blends, but there are some surprises to be found; for example, Shadow Springs is producing several dessert wines, including its “Shortcake” strawberry wine. Be sure and take time to stop and smell the roses at Laurel Gray, where the tasting room is a converted 1930s milking parlor. For an amazing vineyard view, check out Raffaldini’s grand Tuscan-style patio complete with a Roman fountain, or lounge on the porch at Dobbins Creek where you can see Grandfather Mountain to the west and the Winston-Salem skyline to the east.

Yadkin Valley Grapes

Laurel Gray Vineyard
5726 Old Highway 421
Hamptonville, NC 27020
336-468-9463
Amenities: Tasting room, gift shop, picnic area.
Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvingnon, Rose, Scarlet Mountain, Sultry, Viognier.

Raffaldini Vineyards
450 Groce Road
Ronda, NC 28670
336-835-9463
Amenities: Tasting room, gift shop, patio, box lunches available.
Wines: Pinot Grigio, Fiori, Sangiovese, Bella Misto, Winemaker’s Blend, Vermentino.

Dobbins Creek Vineyards
4430 Vineyard View Lane
Hamptonville, NC 27020
336-468-4770
Amenities: Tasting room, gift shop.
Wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Hemric Mountain Red, Hemric Mountain Blush.

Shadow Springs Vineyard
5543 Crater Road
Hamptonville, NC 27202
336-468-5000
Amenities: Tasting room, gift shop.
Wines: Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvingnon, Crimson Sunset, Shadow Mist, Shortcake Strawberry Wine, L’amour Doux.

Directions:

1. Take I-77 to Exit 73B (Us Highway 421 North). Proceed on US 421 for approximately 1.5 miles to Exit 267, Windsor Rd. Turn right at top of ramp, continue for .1 mile and turn right onto Old Hwy 421. Laurel Gray Vineyards is .1 mile ahead on the left.
2. From Laurel Gray exit right out of the parking lot onto Old Hwy 421 and continue 1.4 miles to Swan Creek Rd. turn right and follow Swan Creek Rd. for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto Cedar Forest Rd. Go 1.1 mile to Groce Rd. on your left. Take Groce Rd. and Raffaldini Vineyards is just .2 mile ahead on the right.
3. When leaving Raffaldini take a right out of the drive onto Groce Road and then a right onto Cedar Forest Rd. Retrace your drive to Swan Creek Road, then turn right. Follow Swan Creek for half a mile and make a slight left onto Rena Road. Proceed 2.8 miles to Carrie Farm Rd and turn right. Follow Carrie Farm Rd. for 1 mile, go up the hill, turn right, and follow the signs to Dobbins Creek Vineyard at the top of the mountain.
4. Exit Dobbins Creek by retracing your drive down Carrie Farm Rd.  to Rena Road. Turn left onto Rena Rd. Follow for 1 mile then turn left onto Cheek Rd. Drive 1.9 mile to Old Hwy 421 and turn left. Make a quick right onto Windsor Rd. to Crater Rd. and turn left. Follow Crater Rd. ½ mile to Shadow Springs on the right. Turn right on Vineyard View Lane to get to the Shadow Springs Vineyard.
5. To return to Interstate 77, go back to Windsor Road and turn right.

Winery hours vary seasonally.  Please call ahead to be sure the vineyards you want to visit will be open when you arrive. Please drink responsibly. Designate a driver.   

added: January 2, 2009

updated: January 18, 2012