The most scenic Southern wineries worthy of a getaway

Great wine, charcuterie boards, and homemade pizza are enough to warrant a visit to any winery, but it’s the Italian-inspired design and gorgeous landscape at the Duchman Family Winery that makes people never want to leave. Duchman is located in Driftwood, Texas, in the heart of Hill Country, the state’s most notable wine area. While you can easily vineyard hop in the region, you’ll find yourself more than happy to spend the day tasting the Duchman’s Italian grape varietals under the shade of oak trees. 

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Built on a ridge that sits 1,600 feet above sea level in Dahlonega, Georgia, Kaya Winery is surrounded by rows and rows of grape vines and stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. You can spend a whole afternoon tasting whites and reds made from European, Italian, and American varietals, perusing the gift store, or enjoying panoramic views on the patio. And if you indulge a little too much, it doesn’t hurt to book a stay in one of the four luxurious, on-site cottages. 

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Banner Elk has everything you could want in a wine-powered escape. The winery specializes in French-American and American varietals at its charming vineyard. Many visitors opt to stay in a lakeside, Tuscan-inspired villa at the vineyard so they can relax and enjoy all that the winery has to offer. It’s not hard to see why. With views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a Banner Elk wine in hand, it’s a picture-perfect wine experience.

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Just off the Scenic Highway in the northern part of South Carolina, travelers will find a taste of France among the Appalachian Mountains. Styled after a French chateau, Victoria Valley grows grapes on 47 acres of land, resulting in some delicious Vinifera wines. You'll want to spend the whole day sipping Victoria Valley wines on the winery terrace while snacking on sandwiches, cheeses, and desserts from the on-site deli.

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Just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Nashville is the charming Arrington Vineyards. It’s the epitome of a picturesque winery offering views of Tennessee’s rolling-hills countryside. Whether you buy a bottle of wine, sip on a wine flight, or order a frosé for those hot Southern days, you’ll have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy five acres of land. Picnics are encouraged at the picnic tables on the vineyard’s hillside.

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What makes Treehouse Vineyards so spectacular is right there in the name—treehouses. This North Carolina winery serves fantastic Native Muscadine wines and a dry white blend that can be enjoyed in a treehouse 30 feet off the ground. One treehouse can be rented in hourly time slots (though it's currently under renovation), while two others are available for overnight stays. If you do spend the night you'll have plenty of time to explore the winery's horse stables, tree swings, pond, and creek.

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Potomac Point serves up an elegant Southern wine experience in Stafford, Virginia. The Tuscan-inspired winery was designed to look like a Mediterranean estate. Surrounded by lush vineyards and forests, you’ll be enchanted by the outdoor patio with its water fountain centerpiece and the green pathways that lead visitors through the grapevines. A meal at the on-site bistro puts a delicious cherry on top of the visit.

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If you’re craving something sweet, head to the United States’ southernmost winery. Specializing in tropical fruit wines, Schnebly Redlands is also lush and tropical in style with coral waterfalls, palapas huts, and palm trees galore. Opt for a patio tasting: the fruit wine mixed with the outdoor scenery will have you feeling like you're on a tropical vacation. Before you go, grab a bite to eat at the on-site restaurant; Redlander specializes in farm-to-table Florida-style cuisine. 

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Wolf Mountain Vineyards looks more like a Swiss chateau in the Alps than a winery in Georgia. Styled after a Craftsman cottage, this massive winery has a restaurant and tasting room that overlooks the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Whether you have a cabernet at the stone-and-cedar bar or a sip a chardonnay on the veranda overlooking the vineyards, Wolf Mountain has all the charm and hospitality you would expect from a Southern wine experience. 

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Wine lovers will find plenty to love at Fall Creek Vineyards (we're especially fond of the single-vineyard Terroir Reflections wines and Bordeaux-inspired Meritus Wines). The Texas Hill Country vineyard is one of the oldest in the region and now boasts two locations. The Tow location is set on 400 acres near Lake Buchanan, while the Driftwood winery is just a short drive from Austin and has a gorgeous garden setting. Consider spending the night in the on-site Wine Country Inn, a luxurious rental that pairs perfectly with the wine.

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Forego the snobbery normally associated with wineries and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere at Pontchartrain Vineyards instead. Their wine was created to pair with Louisiana cuisine, which means tawny ports and sweet fruity wines are available to taste. Bring a blanket to sit on the grass and enjoy an outdoor concert or to bask in the sun with a glass of wine in hand. With a location well off the main tourist path, Pontchartrain is a great choice for those who want to try Louisiana wine like locals.

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The name says it all at An Enchanting Evening Winery. Not only is the wine tasting free when you purchase a bottle, but the tasting room is in an enchanting yurt. Book an appointment before making the 45-minute drive from Little Rock so you can ensure that you have enough time to taste their reds and whites in the yurt or on the patio with views of the Arkansas forest. If you don’t want to drive home after, there's an onsite cabin calling your name. 

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