The 7 Best Wine Festivals In North Carolina

North Carolina has wine to offer you, whether you love red, white, sparkling, or sweet and dry wine. The best way to experience the region’s wines is to attend one of the many wine festivals in North Carolina.

Since the 17th century, the Tar Heel State has produced wine, and today there are over 185 wineries and 525 vineyards scattered throughout the region. But there is no need to drive all over the state to sample the various wines or get to know the winemakers.

You can look at our list of the best wine festivals in North Carolin, pick a festival, and let your palate embrace the wine.

The Top Wine Festivals in North Carolina

1. North Carolina Wine Festival
2. Great Grapes Wine, Art and Music Festival
3. Yadkin Valley Wine Festival
4. North Carolina Muscadine Festival
5. Raleigh’s International Wine Festival
6. Strawberry Wine Festival
7. Highlands Food & Wine Festival

1. North Carolina Wine Festival

• Koka Booth Amphitheater
• October
• 8003 Regency Parkway
• Cary, NC 27518
• Tickets: General Admission: $50.00, VIP: $75.00

The North Carolina Wine Festival has brought wine lovers like you and your friends together with local wineries, food, music, and artisans for over 20 years.

The gathering usually occurs at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, where you can choose general admission or a VIP ticket. The VIP ticket offers a more prominent space this year and a delicious lunch for each guest with a lunch ticket. Also included are cocktails and premier wines.

Wine Festival wants to continue improving your experience, and they have set the area up, so the wineries and artisans can offer more room to move around. Even expanded the VIP Area.

2. Great Grapes Wine, Art and Music Festival

• Symphony Park at South Park Mall
• October
• 4400 Sharon Road
• Charlotte, NC
• Tickets: General Admission: $39.00, VIP: $75.00

For more than 17 years, the annual Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival has delivered some of the best regional wines.

Presented by Uncork, you and your friend will have the best experience of wine tasting.

Join the celebration and sample any 100 wines from around the world and North Carolina wineries. Doors open for the VIP ticket holders an hour before General Admission at noon.

Enjoy visiting the North Carolina wineries, eating yummy food, live music, and arts and crafts. Each festival goer will receive a souvenir, wine glass, and endless samples.

3. Yadkin Valley Wine Festival

• Elkin Municipal Park
• Third Saturday in May
• 399 North Carolina 269 W
• Elkin, NC 28621
• Tickets: Advance: $22.00, Gate: $30.00, VIP: $100

Enjoy the Annual Yadkin Valley Wine Festival by savoring wine from over 15 vineyards and wineries in the area. Enjoy toe-tapping music all day, with delicious food and fun.

Festival parking is $5.00 per car. Proceeds go to Elkin Rescue Squad. Shuttles from local hotels with a per-person fee of $10.

General Admission includes glass and unlimited tastings.

The VIP admission has shorter lines to access the festival, t-shirt, VIP Parking, and the VIP Hospitality Tent, where you can enjoy substantial snacks.

The festival’s mission is to bring together wineries and vineyards from around the Yadkin Valley to promote and celebrate the region’s wines.

4. North Carolina Muscadine Festival

• Duplin County Events Center
• September
• Kenansville, NC
• Tickets: Advance: $20.00, Gate: $25.00

Come with your friends to the North Carolina Muscadine Festival, where you’ll enjoy local wines, music, a tailgate contest, an amateur wine-making competition, and great food.

The tailgate contest comprises decorating your space, and the winner receives a festival t-shirt, bottle of wine, and free tailgate space for the next festival. The amateur wine-making competition will display the winners throughout the event and receive free tickets to the next festival.

The festival offers discounts for the Military and Children, 6 to 20 years old, for $5. Five and under are free.

Sample wines from 20 North Carolina wineries and vineyards.

5. Raleigh’s International Wine Festival

• City Plaza
• October
• 400 Fayetteville Street
• Raleigh, NC 27601
• 919-606-0647
• Tickets: Free, Drink Tickets for Purchase

Come to the International Wine Festival with over 25 international wine suppliers at this event. You’ll sample wines from Armenia, Greece, Portugal, Moldova, Hungary, Uruguay, Australia, Lebanon, Georgia, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Italy, France, New Zealand, Austria, and, of course, the USA.

Wine-tasting punch cards are for purchase on-site or early bird purchases online.

Early Bird purchase provides ten samples for $30.00. The price will go up to $40.00 at the festival, so buy early and save.

Food Trucks, desserts, and live performances will happen throughout the day.

6. Strawberry Wine Festival

• Woodmill Winery
• May
• 1350 WoodMill Winery Lane
• Vale, NC 28168
• 704-276-9911
• Tickets: Free

Enjoy the day at WoodMill Winery, hosting the Annual Strawberry Wine Festival. Peruse the vendors for some retail therapy, and don’t forget to sample the wine.

Strawberry wine is tasty and perfect for late spring weather. Also, while sipping your wine, satisfy your hunger at one of the food trucks.

Anna’s Sweet Treats returns to the festival, serving a variety of delicious desserts.

Each festival releases the current Strawberry wine, available semi-sweet and sweet. During the festival are wine specials with 10 percent off three or more bottles, 15 percent off six or more bottles, and 20 percent off cases of wine.

7. Highlands Food & Wine Festival

• Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park
• November
• 411-499 Pine Street
• Highlands, NC
• Tickets: VIP Access: $1200.00 plus Taxes and Fees, Other Events: $150.00 to $275.00 plus Taxes and Fees

If you have your ticket, you’re lucky because the Highlands Food & Wine Festival sells out yearly. The most popular and expensive is the VIP Access to all five signature events, including Grand Tasting, Truckin’, Generous Pour, Sunday Shindig, and Main Event. You can purchase single event tickets if you prefer.

The Grand Tasting starts the Highlands Food & Wine, where you listen to live music while enjoying delicious small plates from well-known chefs. Sample white, red and sparkling wines from around the world, craft brews, and craft cocktails.

A Generous Pour returns as a popular gathering with live music for the heart. Guests will enjoy hosted wine, beer, spirits, and culinary wonders. Wine tastings are by wine-makers and vintners, ensuring high-quality pours.

The Main Event speaks for itself, where you can savor food and wine while jamming to the live music on Main Street. Partake in the top oyster roast, cherish small plates by revered chefs, and enjoy cold brews, craft cocktails, and some fantastic wines.

Some other events take place at the festival, with chances for more wine dinners and special gatherings.