Wineries Near Raleigh, NC: Where To Go for Wine Tastings and Vineyard Visits

With multiple wine shops and tasting spaces, Raleigh is a great destination for a wine weekend. Several traditional vineyards and wineries are also within driving distance of the city. Our recommended options range from urban tastings in Raleigh and Durham to vineyard visits in Apex, Angier, Siler City, Pine Level, and Hurdle Mills, with experiences spanning guided tastings, winery tours, muscadine wines, and afternoons among the vines.

Use our guide to compare wineries and wine tastings by location, experience, and what makes each worth visiting, plus get practical tips for planning your outing. By staying in Raleigh, you can spend the day exploring wine country and return to the city for dinner, cocktails, and nightlife.

Compare the Best Wineries and Wine Tastings Near Raleigh

Compare our recommended wineries, vineyards, and urban tasting experiences to find the right fit for your trip.

*Driving distances from StateView Hotel are approximate and may vary by route.

Wine Tastings in Raleigh and Durham

Downtown Raleigh has wine shops and tasting spaces where you can explore bottles from around the world, while Durham is home to an urban winery and a meadery with tasting experiences of their own.

DRINK Raleigh

DRINK Raleigh is an intimate wine shop and tasting space on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh focusing on family wineries and small-production wines. Rather than specializing in North Carolina wines, DRINK is a good fit for visitors who want to discover less-familiar bottles and learn more about the people and places behind them.

The shop has indoor and outdoor seating and a Fine Wine Cave, while its event calendar features tastings, wine dinners, and other wine-focused experiences. Programming varies, so check the current calendar before your visit.

The Raleigh Wine Shop

Part wine shop and part wine bar, The Raleigh Wine Shop—located downtown—is a more casual alternative to a traditional vineyard visit. Stop in to explore its selection and wine bar, or time your visit around one of the shop’s educational events.

Programming ranges from guided tastings to wine-and-cheese pairings and conversational wine classes, giving curious drinkers a chance to learn as they taste. Ticketed classes and tastings require advance registration and may sell out.

Melanated Wine and Spirits

For an urban winery experience, head to Melanated Wine and Spirits in Durham. The city’s first Black woman-owned urban winery features wines ranging from dry red and white blends to Riesling, blackberry wine, and other sweeter styles.

Visitors can choose a standard wine tasting or an elevated experience that adds charcuterie and a souvenir tasting glass. Walk-ins are accepted, although Melanated recommends reservations.

Honeygirl Meadery

Honeygirl Meadery is a little different from the wine-focused stops on this list: it produces small-batch mead made by fermenting honey with seasonal fruits, flowers, and herbs. Its tasting room at the American Tobacco Campus is a convenient Durham stop for visitors who want to explore different styles of this fermented honey beverage.

Try several styles with a mead flight, then settle in at the indoor or outdoor seating. Regular tasting-room visits don’t require reservations, but visitors can reserve a Meadmaker Tour to learn about the production process.

Vineyards and Wineries for a Half-Day Trip

For vineyard views and more time to enjoy the setting, plan a half-day trip beyond downtown Raleigh. Each destination brings something different to the itinerary, from self-guided flights on a family farm to muscadine wines, live music, and estate-grown wines.

Cloer Family Vineyards

Family-owned and operated Cloer Family Vineyards in Apex, NC, grows and harvests grapes on the farm, then makes and bottles its wines on-site. The lineup includes Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, and Merlot alongside wines made with Carlos and Noble muscadine grapes.

Sample the current lineup with a self-guided flight, then relax indoors or head outside to sit overlooking the vineyard and pasture. Outside food is welcome, and the winery sells build-your-own charcuterie baskets featuring North Carolina products. Reservations aren’t required, but groups of eight or more should make arrangements in advance.

Gregory Vineyards

Gregory Vineyards in Angier, NC, is our recommendation for visitors interested in North Carolina muscadine wine. More than 20 acres of vineyards grow on the Gregory family’s 140-acre farm, where the grapes are used to produce dry, semi-sweet, and sweet muscadine wines. Wine tastings are available on Fridays and Saturdays. Lane’s Seafood & Steakhouse shares the property, so you can wine and dine all in one trip.

ZincHouse Winery & Brewery

Durham’s ZincHouse Winery & Brewery is geared more toward a social afternoon out than a quiet vineyard tasting. The adults-only property spans 89 acres, with vineyards, expansive outdoor spaces, fire pits, and decks overlooking the surrounding landscape.

In addition to wine, ZincHouse serves craft beer and bourbon and regularly hosts live music, food trucks, and festivals. Wine-focused visitors can book a guided tasting featuring five selections along with information about tasting techniques, flavor profiles, and food pairings.

FireClay Cellars

FireClay Cellars in Siler City, NC, produces estate-grown wines among the rolling hills of Chatham County. Its lineup includes white, rosé, and red varieties. Order a flight, then settle in on the covered deck or patio overlooking the vines. Regular visits don’t require reservations. Group tours and private tasting experiences can be arranged in advance.

Wineries Worth the Longer Drive

A longer drive from Raleigh can be worthwhile for a larger vineyard, broader wine selection, or more structured tasting experience. We think these destinations are worth the squeeze if you’re looking for a dedicated winery outing.

Hinnant Family Vineyards

Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level, NC, gives visitors several ways to explore regional wine, with a particular focus on muscadine varieties. Choose from customizable flights, guided tastings, winery tours, and more immersive reservation-only experiences.

The Elevated Tasting Experience combines an extended wine tasting with a vineyard tour, food, a souvenir glass, and a bottle to take home. An on-site bistro gives visitors another reason to make Hinnant the main event of a longer outing.

Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard

Rock of Ages Winery & Vineyard in Hurdle Mills, NC, stands out for its scale and broad wine selection. The family-owned property encompasses 26 acres of vineyards surrounding a four-acre lake, with a winery designed using Old English, Italian, and Western lodge influences.

The winery grows 17 grape varieties and produces a wide range of wines, including dry reds and whites, sweet and muscadine wines, fruit wines, and seasonal selections. Tastings are offered daily without an appointment.

How To Plan a Winery Visit From Raleigh

For a Raleigh wine tour, plan on one or two winery stops per day. Group destinations by location, arrange a designated driver or transportation, and check tasting availability before visiting.

• Check operating days and hours. Winery schedules vary, and some tasting rooms have limited hours during the week. Confirm current hours directly with each winery before your visit.
• Reserve tastings and tours when required. Some wineries welcome walk-ins, while guided tastings, tours, group visits, and special experiences may require reservations.
• Plan for a safe ride. Choose a designated driver or arrange transportation in advance, particularly if your itinerary takes you to vineyards outside Raleigh and Durham.
• Know your food options. Some wineries welcome picnics or outside food, while others have restaurants, food trucks, snacks, or charcuterie.
• Check visitor policies. Age restrictions and policies for children, pets, and larger groups vary by destination, so review the rules for each stop before finalizing your plans.

When Is the Best Time To Visit Wineries Near Raleigh?

Spring and fall are our favorite times to visit wineries near Raleigh. Mild temperatures make it more comfortable to sip outside, and fall marks the start of the harvest season for many vineyards. Summer is another popular time for live music and outdoor events if that’s more your speed. Many area tasting rooms welcome visitors year-round, although schedules, events, and outdoor amenities vary by season.

Sample 2-Night Raleigh Winery Getaway

A two-night stay gives you time to slow down and thoroughly explore one or two wineries along with Raleigh’s dining and nightlife scene. Use this itinerary to plan your weekend.

Raleigh Wine Festivals and Tasting Events

Wine festivals, special tastings, dinners, and classes can add another experience to a Raleigh wine getaway. Because event calendars change frequently, there are several good places to look for current programming:

• Start with the NC Wine events calendar. Find festivals, tastings, dinners, live music, and other winery events happening around the state.
• Look at individual winery calendars. Some spots such as The Raleigh Wine Shop and DRINK Raleigh host tastings, classes, dinners, and other wine-focused events throughout the year.
• Book ticketed events early. Classes, guided tastings, wine dinners, and larger Raleigh wine festivals may require advance tickets or reservations.

After the Wineries: Explore Raleigh’s Cocktail Scene

Continue the evening at one of the city’s cocktail bars. Choose a spot based on the kind of night you’re after:

• Foundation: Head below street level for craft cocktails in an intimate, underground setting on Fayetteville Street.
• Bittersweet: Sit down and enjoy cocktails and desserts at this downtown bar and dessert lounge.
• Watts & Ward: Settle into a sprawling underground space with a speakeasy-inspired atmosphere, multiple rooms, and plenty of tucked-away seating.

For more options, explore our guide to the best cocktail bars in Raleigh.

Stay at StateView for Your Raleigh Wine Getaway

Stay in Raleigh while setting aside a day to explore the vineyards and wineries beyond the city. At StateView Hotel, on-site parking makes driving around the surrounding area convenient, and the hotel’s lakeside setting gives you a relaxing place to return to after a day of tastings.

Choose from comfortable guest rooms and suites, then wind down over dinner, wine, or cocktails at Flask & Beaker. Couples planning a wine-focused weekend can also explore our Romance Package.

If you’re ready to plan your Raleigh wine getaway, check availability and book your stay at StateView Hotel. Looking for more things to do? Explore our Raleigh Visitor’s Guide.

FAQs About Wineries Near Raleigh, NC

Do wineries near Raleigh require reservations?

Not always. Many wineries and tasting rooms near Raleigh welcome walk-ins, but guided tastings, tours, group visits, and special experiences may require reservations. Check with the individual winery before your visit.

Are wineries near Raleigh open year-round?

Many wineries and tasting rooms near Raleigh are open year-round, but operating days and hours can vary by season. Check the winery’s current schedule before making the drive, particularly if you’re planning a weekday visit.

Do you need a car to visit wineries near Raleigh?

A car is the most practical way to reach many vineyards and wineries outside Raleigh. If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver or arrange transportation in advance so everyone in your group can enjoy the day safely.

Are Raleigh-area wineries family-friendly?

Some are, but policies vary by winery. Certain vineyards welcome families and children, while others—such as ZincHouse Winery & Brewery—are adults-only. Check age policies before choosing a destination if you’re traveling with children.

Can you bring food to wineries near Raleigh?

It depends on the winery. Some welcome outside food and picnics, while others have restaurants, food trucks, snacks, or charcuterie available on-site. Review the property’s food policy before packing your own.