6. North Carolina Wineries
Wineries have become very popular in North Carolina. In our area, there are four great wineries you can visit. Three are in the Albemarle area, about ½ hour north of Wadesboro. The fourth winery is near Lexington, NC, about 1 1/2 hrs north of Wadesboro. (Note: There may be a charge for some wine tours.)
1. Stony Mountain Vineyards, 26370 Mountain Ridge Road, Albemarle, NC. 704-982-0922. www.stonymountainvineyards.com. Open Sat. 12-6 pm. Check for other hours of operation. Wine tastings are $5 including keepsake wine glass. Tours as available. Fabulous views.
DIRECTIONS: From Wadesboro, take Hwy 52 North to Hwy 24/27, turn right (east). In several miles (past the turn for Morrow Mountain State Park), turn left at Stony Mountain Road. (If you come to Lake Tillery, you’ve gone too far.) At the fork in the road, take the right fork, onto Mountain Ridge Rd. Go 1 mile and you’ll see the sign for Stony Mountain Vineyards.
2. Dennis Vineyards, 24043 Endy Road, Albemarle, NC. 1-800-230-1743. 704-982-6090. www.dennisvineyards.com. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-6. Winery tour is $4/person including keepsake wine glass for wine tasting. No charge for just wine tasting (plastic cups).
DIRECTIONS: From Albemarle, head west towards Charlotte on Hwy 24/27 approximately 5 miles to Endy. Turn right (north) on Endy Rd. Winery is 1/2 mile on left. ).
3. Uwharrie Vineyards, 28030 Austin Road, Albemarle, NC. 704-982-9463. www.uwharrievineyards.com. Open Tues.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 12-5. Tours begin every hour on Sat./Sun. Tues-Fri. tours are dependent on winery schedule and operations. No charge for winery tour; $5/glass for wine tasting (and you keep the wine glass).
DIRECTIONS: In Albemarle, take Hwy 73 west to Austin Road, turn right. (Hwy 73 is also W. Main Street in Albemarle.)
4. Childress Vineyards, 1000 Childress Vineyards Road, Lexington, NC. 336-236-WINE (9463). Bistro serves lunch. www.childressvineyards.com. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-6. Sun. 12-6. Tours daily at 12, 2 and 4. Lunch Mon.-Sat. 11-3; Sun. 12-3. Music on weekends 12-3 beginning May 5, 2007. Winery tour is free. Tastings range from $9 - 15 / person and incl. souvenir glass.
DIRECTIONS from Albemarle – Continue on Hwy 52 North from Albemarle to Salisbury. Then right (north) on I-85 towards Lexington. Take exit for Hwy 52 North again heading towards Winston-Salem. Then take Hwy 64 West exit. Proceed to Childress Vineyards.
Returning to Wadesboro - From Childress Vineyards, pick up Hwy 52 South. Then take I-85 South (towards Salisbury and Charlotte). In Salisbury, take Hwy 52 South (Exit 76) to Albemarle. From Albemarle, continue on Hwy 52 South to Wadesboro, turn left once you reach Hwy 74 and then right on Hwy 109 (Greene Street). The Forever Inn is 4 blocks in on right hand side.
More time? Head up to Morrow Mountain State Park. At the top of the mountain, there are beautiful views of Lake Tillery and the PeeDee River. Hiking trail available. Canoes available.
Places to eat:
304 Pontiac Pointe Restaurant, 304 E. Main Street, Albemarle, NC. 704-985-1926. www.304pontiacpointe.com.
Yadkin Valley Steakhouse, 140 Hwy 740 Bypass, Albemarle. 704-983-2020. (Near the intersection of 24/27 and 740 in Albemarle, just beyond Blue Bay Seafood.)
Miss Ruby’s Restaurant, 840 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill, NC. 704-209-6049. A few miles north of Pfeiffer College on Hwy 52 North, at the Post Office, turn left. Cross RR tracks and at next corner, turn left. Right at curve and then proceed to Gold Hill village. Miss Ruby’s is on the right. Open Wed-Fri. lunch 11:30-2:00 and dinner 5:30-9:00. Sat. lunch 11:30-4:00 and dinner 5:30-9:00. Sunday brunch 11:30-2:30.
For guided winery tours - Uwharrie Tours offers guided winery tours of three wineries - Uwharrie Vineyards, Stony Mountain Vineyards and Dennis Vineyards. Price includes transportation to wineries, lunch, a souvenir wineglass and all winery tour/tasting charges. Check www.uwharrietours.com for more information. They also offer canoeing, kayaking, horseback riding and other adventure packages.
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