The Blue Ridge Mountains draw tourists every year because they’re glorious all year round. Asheville, the population hub of Western North Carolina (WNC), is nestled in the heart of these mountains. The Blue Ridge Parkway rolls through blue-grey peaks and green valleys. Wondrous views greet you around each bend in the road. But the region also offers an opportunity to explore local vineyards and delve into your favorite finds.
The mountains of WNC provide an idyllic climate for growing grapes. The rich, cool night air, coupled with the humidity needed for a vineyard to thrive, provides the perfect storm for great wine. While the Biltmore Estate in Asheville is the most toured winery in North and South America, you can discover other local vineyards throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There are 60 wineries within a short driving distance of Asheville, so you’re sure to find one — or more — to make your personal favorites. Whether you live in one of the glorious mountain homes around Asheville or just like to visit the area wine country, you can end almost every day sipping wine at a different vineyard.
What Are the Exceptional Vineyards and Wineries Near Asheville?
You can find many vineyards in and near Asheville that produce excellent vintages, as Western North Carolina produces many award-winning wines. A few of the vineyards and wineries worth mentioning include:
Burntshirt Vineyards. Their Tasting Room and Bistro near Chimney Rock Village boasts magnificent views of Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls. The actual vineyards and winery are in Hendersonville, where they have another tasting room. Burntshirt offers tours and tastings within an hour’s drive from Asheville.
Marked Tree Vineyard. This vineyard is in Flat Rock, which is also less than an hour’s drive from Asheville. They have a satellite sipping space in Asheville called The Grape.
St. Paul Mountain Vineyards. Located in Hendersonville, this farm is a working vineyard and orchard. They offer award-winning wines and hard cider for your pleasure.
Grandfather Vineyard & Winery. A family-operated winery near Boone, it sits at the base of the unforgettable Grandfather Mountain in Banner Elk, NC. A visit may require a day trip, as Banner Elk is about a two-hour drive from Asheville.
Silver Fork Vineyard & Winery. Huddled among the mountains, this Morganton winery is an event destination, so it offers a beautiful backdrop for enjoying the full flavor of its wines. Morganton is a bit over an hour’s drive from Asheville.
Mountain Brooks Vineyards. This award-winning winery is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tryon. It’s not even an hour’s drive away and it’s well worth the trip.
Parker-Binns Vineyard. Also in Tryon, NC near the Tryon Equestrian Center Resort, Parker-Binns is a lovely vineyard that is now over 30 years old and is a family-run winery. You’ll be impressed with the green rolling hills, rocking chairs and delicious wine produced right there on the property.
Biltmore Estate Winery. This famous winery is located in the heart of Asheville on the park-like grounds of the Biltmore Estate. Against the backdrop of the mountains, it’s one place you don’t want to miss.
Why Is Asheville and Its Vicinity a Great Vacation Spot?
The Blue Ridge Mountains attract every kind of traveler to its nooks and crannies. From whitewater rafting and extreme hiking enthusiasts to art and wine lovers, there’s something for everyone. Exceptional vineyards and wineries are abundant throughout WNC. So if you’re a local wine lover or you’ve traveled a far distance, welcome to your heaven.
Explore and discover it all if you’re so inclined. Sip and taste the fermented grapes as you enjoy a sunset from your front porch. Enjoy that bottle of wine you bought at your favorite winery after a long day of shopping. Plan a picnic at one of the many waterfalls that grace these mountains. Or sip some wine while basking in the hot tub at your vacation condo. Anyway, if you enjoy the vineyards near Asheville, you’ll be glad you came.
Summer in Asheville, NC can bring you closer to nature or delight you with new city activities. Whichever direction you choose to go, you’ll find things to do. But to avoid the commonplace tourist destinations and the overhyped activities, your best bet is to try one — or more — of these 10 unique-to-Asheville tours. Pick the ones that resonate with your interests for a delightful experience.
10 Tours for Your Summer in Asheville
LaZoom Comedy Tours
If you don’t know where to begin, try an entertaining tour to get a feel for the landscape. LaZoom not only provides a fun ride around Asheville’s distinctive locations but also includes live comedy. It’s like a theatre on four wheels and comes highly recommended.
Asheville Wellness Tours
Unplug, unwind, and reconnect with your own, custom mini-retreat in Asheville, NC. Choose a-la-carte from a menu of options like Private Chef Services, Tarot Readings, Mountaintop Yoga Hikes, Forest Bathing Walks, Private Yoga Sessions, Winery Tours, and more or work with their complimentary concierge service to create your ideal wellness retreat.
Asheville Detours
Whether you want a one-of-a-kind bachelorette party or a scavenger hunt with your friends or family, choose Asheville Detours. Explore the city while participating in fun activities. These tours take you off the beaten path. They also make authentic Asheville gift boxes available.
Asheville Wine Tours
Western North Carolina is wine country. These tours take you inside the world of wineries, but the best part may be the beautiful countryside surrounding most destinations. Choose three or four of the area’s 13 wineries.
Asheville Brews Cruise
This cruise cut to the chase of one of Asheville’s major industries: beer production. These cruises are entertaining and educational, allowing you to sample a variety of beers while enlightening you on the history, work and passion behind each sip.
Asheville by Foot
Offers guided walking tours of the city. The specialists who lead these tours know Asheville’s history and architecture better than anyone. These one-of-a-kind tours inform and delight you as you learn about the rich art, culture and history of the city and region.
Asheville Hiking Tours
These walking tours lead you to see stunning waterfalls and get you closer to wildlife while also introducing you to edible plants. Visit a world of wildflowers and exotic trees. Learn and experience nature as never before.
Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours
These tours offer a bird’s eye view of the city. Go on a magnificent tour of Asheville’s best rooftop pubs, which not only show off some gorgeous views but also offer local brews and carefully crafted cocktails.
Eating Asheville Food Tours
A delicious way to explore Asheville is these tours for foodies. The city features 3 unique food tours and many eateries with over 500 reviews on TripAdvisor and a 5-star rating. Choose a culinary experience that suits your tastes. These tours reveal fascinating historical facts as well.
Asheville Art Experience
Asheville has a history as an artist haven. These tours take you to different sites and give you a personalized map so you can choose what you want to see. Visit directly with artists and even spend time making your own art in painting, clay, glasswork and woodworking.
Springtime in Asheville bursts forth with more than vibrant flowers and fresh leaves. Lots of unforgettable experiences await you around the city, leading you to fun times that entice you to return.
Inspired Getaway makes your spring visit to Asheville unforgettable by partnering with our city’s top experience-based businesses. When you stay at a vacation rental that uses Inspired Getaway, the best of Asheville is available to you.
What Does Asheville Picnic Company Offer?
Asheville Picnic Company delivers woven baskets filled with local delights to your vacation rental or one of Asheville’s most beautiful, including:
- Botanical Gardens of Asheville, which holds 10 acres of meadows and streams
- Asheville Downtown Pack Square, an urban park with a peaceful greenspace
- French Broad River Park and Carrier Park, two parks connected by a greenway with river views and a 2.8-mile walking/biking path
- The North Carolina Arboretum features groomed hiking and biking trails
- The Biltmore Estate, with thousands of acres to explore around the USA’s largest private home
Asheville Picnic Company offers traditional or luxury picnic baskets to suit your tastes. These baskets come with everything you need for a picnic in Asheville.
What’s the Most Efficient Way to See Asheville?
Asheville has so much to see. The most efficient way to get to it all is on the seat of an electric bicycle from the Flying Bike Electric Bike Tours. Their all-ages tour stops at Asheville’s noteworthy points of interest, including:
- The Basilica of St. Lawrence, an architectural masterpiece by Rafael Gustavino
- Historic Montford neighborhood, where Asheville’s most beautiful historic homes line quiet streets
- Grove Park Inn, featuring a magnificent view from the Sunset Terrace
- Pack Square, a park in downtown Asheville’s urban center
- South Slope neighborhood, for a rejuvenated section of Asheville
The Flying Bike Tour is a great group activity. You ride a Pedego Boomerang Plus e-bike, which is comfortable and easy to use. You can choose the level of electric assistance to get a workout or to relax.
How Can I Best Enjoy the Adult Beverages of Asheville?
Asheville Wine Tours lets you experience North Carolina’s best vineyards and wineries in luxurious comfort. The wine regions you visit with Asheville Wine Tours include:
- Hendersonville, where you can find five wineries 45 minutes south of Asheville
- Tryon, a little past Hendersonville, where you visit a group of four wineries with a viticultural history, dating back over a century
- Lake James, where there are two wineries 50 minutes east of Asheville
- Asheville, including the Biltmore Estate and Plēb Urban Winery, both offer unique tasting experiences within the city limits
- Van in Black luxury transportation for large, small or combined groups.
For something stronger, indulge in a Cultivated Cocktails + H&H Distillery Experience. You can taste locally crafted spirits at Cultivated Cocktail’s cozy downtown Asheville location. To learn more about the making of H&H spirits, join them for a tour of the distillery.
Can I Have A Wellness-Forward Experience In Asheville?
If you want to experience relaxation and self-care on your visit, Asheville Wellness Tours is your one-stop shop. You can tour everything a wellness-minded visitor needs, including:
- Fun hiking/yoga tours
- Stand up paddleboard (SUP) yoga classes
- Guided forest bathing
- Baby goat yoga
- Guided meditations
- Group tarot readings
- Massage
- Cooking classes
Asheville Wellness Tours connects you with nature, yourself, and others. All of Inspired Getaway’s seasonal business partnerships do the same to enhance your stay in Asheville. Contact us today to ensure your visit to Asheville is the best it can be.