Within an hour of our upscale Raleigh hotel, visitors can check out an array of local wineries, vineyards, and meaderies. This offers vino lovers on a local North Carolina wine tour chances to sample dry reds, sparkling pinks, and fruit-infused libations.
Some of the best wineries in Raleigh, N.C., are DRINK Raleigh, Cloer Family Vineyards, Gregory Vineyards, FireClay Cellars, Melanated Wine, and Starrlight Mead. Plan a day of sipping and sampling with our list of the 13 best wineries, vineyards, and wine-tasting spots in and near Raleigh.
Wineries Closest to The StateView Hotel
Wineries Worth the Drive
9| Rock Of Ages Winery & Vineyard
Unique Winery Experiences
10| Starrlight Mead
11| Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery
When To Visit Wineries in Raleigh, N.C.
While many of Raleigh’s wine destinations are open year-round, spring and fall are widely considered the best time of year for wine tasting in the area. These milder seasons offer comfortable temperatures and good weather for enjoying outdoor tours and tastings.
Also note that some Raleigh-area wineries require or encourage reservations, particularly on weekends. Others allow for drop-in tours and tastings. Before you head out on your North Carolina wine tour, be sure to check and see whether any reservations are needed.
Raleigh-Area Wineries Closest to The StateView Hotel
1| DRINK Raleigh
215-A Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | 3.5 miles from The StateView Hotel
DRINK Raleigh offers an impressive range of wines from family-owned and small-batch vineyards. This means that the selection regularly changes based on availability—and that there is always something new and exciting to try.
DRINK offers tasting classes, private events, and specialized tastings. Visit from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and by appointment on Sundays.
2| The Raleigh Wine Shop
317 S Bloodworth St., Raleigh | 3.7 miles from The StateView Hotel
The Raleigh Wine Shop has been a top destination for wine tastings in Raleigh for more than a decade. Its shelves are lined with artisanal wines with a special emphasis on value. From the most dedicated wine connoisseur to the casual “just something sweet” drinker, palates of all kinds will find something delicious here. Stop by Monday through Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.
3| Cloer Family Vineyards
8624 Castleberry Road, Apex | 17.6 miles from The StateView Hotel
The owners of Cloer Family Vineyards, Tam and Pam Cloer, have worked to create an environment where every visitor feels like an old friend. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn with a bottle of wine. They can also join a tour to see how their favorite wine is made, from vine to glass.
Cloer grows two types of muscadine grapes in its vineyards: noble and carlos. It also produces riesling, veranda, and matador varietals sourced from vineyards in western North Carolina. Guests are welcome on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
4| ZincHouse Winery & Brewery
6225 Wake Forest Highway, Durham | 21.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
ZincHouse Winery & Brewery is another top winery near Raleigh, N.C. Its menu includes hundreds of fine wines, plus local beers on tap. Guests can explore the vineyards, Carriage House, and Pavilion on the 87-acre property.
ZincHouse hosts food trucks and live music on a regular basis, making it a popular afternoon destination. Visit ZincHouse from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
5| Melanated Wine
4608 Industry Lane Suite F, Durham | 22 miles from The StateView Hotel
Melanated Wine is Durham’s first Black-owned winery. Created with an emphasis on simplifying and sharing fine wine, Melanated Wine offers seven premium options. Varieties include a bold white sangria, a juicy blackberry wine, and a crisp riesling.
Melanated Wine offers two wine-tasting options—standard and elevated. You can stop by Melanated Wine from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, or on Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.
Raleigh Area Wineries Worth the Drive
6| Honeygirl Meadery
105 Hood St. #6, Durham | 25.5 miles from The StateView Hotel
Diane Currier, owner and operator of Honeygirl Meadery, is passionate about taking the goodness of nature and putting it into a glass. She uses only the freshest honey, flowers, berries, fruits, and herbs to create her mead—wine made from honey.
The Honeygirl Meadery Tasting Room is open:
- Mondays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesdays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Fridays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m.
- Sundays from noon to 8 p.m.
7| Gregory Vineyards
275 Bowling Spring Drive, Angier | 26.4 miles from The StateView Hotel
Gregory Vineyards is a 140-acre farm featuring a 20-plus-acre muscadine vineyard, a winery, multiple lakes, and a steak and seafood restaurant. The vineyard offers regular winery tours, hosts annual events, and provides event space for parties and weddings.
Stop by Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m. to enjoy dinner, wine tastings, or a stroll around the vineyard.
8| FireClay Cellars
1276 Bowers Store Road, Siler City | 42 miles from The StateView Hotel
Named for the bright red clay where its vineyards are located, FireClay Cellars is a family-owned winery in Siler City. The winery near Raleigh, N.C., bottles generic and varietal wines including chambourcin, oaked chardonel, and even a dry sparkling hard apple cider.
Visitors are welcome to stop by for a tasting, book a group event, or bring a picnic to enjoy with a glass of wine on the lawn. FireClay is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Friday, and Saturday, and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
9| Rock Of Ages Winery & Vineyard
1890 Charlie Long Rd, Hurdle Mills | 52 miles from The StateView Hotel
Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard was started by Kevin and Kim Moore in the early 2000s. It produces more than 20 different wines from grapes grown in the 26-acre vineyard. Stop by seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to meet the Moores and learn how their winery beautifully blends the old with the new.
Unique Raleigh, N.C., Winery Experiences
10| Starrlight Mead
130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro | 30.1 miles from The StateView Hotel
Becky and Ben Starr are the owners and operators of Starrlight Mead, North Carolina’s oldest meadery. This sparkling couple concocts fruit-infused, herb-infused, and traditional honey meads. Visitors are invited to stop by the award-winning meadery for a bottle or tasting, join in their special events, or participate in a how-to class. Starrlight is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
11| Hinnant Family Vineyards and Winery
826 Pine Level Micro Road, Pine Level | 38.6 miles from The StateView Hotel
Hinnant Family Vineyards is the largest muscadine vineyard in North Carolina, stretching over 100 acres. This family-owned business has been creating award-winning varietals for almost 50 years.
The vineyard and winery near Raleigh offers weekly specials and events, live music, and more to make your visit special. You can visit Monday through Thursday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Fridays, it’s open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m.
12| Botanist & Barrel
105 Persimmon Hill Lane, Cedar Grove | 51.3 miles from The StateView Hotel
Botanist & Barrel is all about creating delicious, natural beverages without additives. Using old-world methods with a few modern conveniences, B&B crafts wines, fruited sours, and real southern ciders.
Limited seating is available at the outdoor Tasting Garden, but guests are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets. Botanist & Barrel is open from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays and from noon to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
13| A Secret Garden Winery
1008 Airport Road NE, Pikeville | 57.8 miles from The StateView Hotel
A Secret Garden Winery is a true hidden gem of North Carolina. Using seven varieties of organic grapes, Linda Wall Hall and her family produce several muscadine wines. Other ingredients used include water, sugar, and only the natural yeasts found on the grapes themselves.
A Secret Garden Winery is open for tastings Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
More About North Carolina Wineries
What is the largest winery in N.C.?
The largest winery in North Carolina is Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, about a 2.5-hour drive from The StateView Hotel. The Shelton Vineyards estate covers 406 acres of land in the Yadkin Valley near Mount Airy.
What wine is N.C. known for?
North Carolina is known for muscadine wines, made from the muscadine grapes that are native to the region.
What winery in N.C. looks like a castle?
The Biltmore Winery in Asheville, North Carolina, looks like a castle. It is also America’s most-visited winery, located on the grounds of Biltmore Estate—one of the most sought-after holiday vacation destinations in the Carolinas.
What is the oldest winery in North Carolina?
The oldest operating winery in North Carolina is Duplin Winery, in operation since 1975. Located a little over an hour from The StateView, Duplin Winery is a top producer of the muscadine wine the state is known for.
What is the purple grape in N.C.?
North Carolina’s purple grapes are muscadine grapes, which produce delicious muscadine wine! They are a type of scuppernong grape, which is the state fruit of North Carolina.
Where to Stay in Raleigh
Craving other libations? If a brewery is more your style, we are also conveniently located near some of the best breweries in Raleigh. Prefer something stronger? Our guide to the best cocktail bars in Raleigh is worth a look. It spotlights some of the best places to grab an expertly mixed drink in the area, including The StateView Hotel’s own Flask & Beaker.Once you’ve decided to include a visit to a Raleigh winery on your next vacation, consider booking your stay with us. The StateView Hotel’s comfortable, modern accommodations are within easy reach of the best wineries in Raleigh, North Carolina.