September
Childress Vineyards Grape Stomp Party
This popular grape stomp party in Lexington celebrates the fall’s harvest by savoring award-winning wine tastings, as well as the fun annual grape stomp and live music. Food and wine are available for purchase. Or upgrade the festivities with premier seating including admission and a table for either four or six people, souvenir glasses, wine tastings, a glass of wine for each guest, and a goodie basket to enjoy throughout the night.
Shine to Wine Festival
Sept. 17, 2016, North Wilkesboro
In addition to giving local and regional brewers, distillers and producers a chance to display and publicize their craft, this fun festival in Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro traces the historical development of Wilkes County liquor from moonshine to wine. Buy a tasting ticket, and you can taste all wine, beers and spirits.
Raffaldini Vineyards Festa Italiana
Sept. 17, 2016, Ronda
Celebrate all things Italian during this Yadkin Valley annual fall festival featuring Raffaldini Vineyards award-winning Tuscan-style wines, Italian cucina, art, live Italian music, face painting and the dance of the traditional tarantella. Salute!
North Carolina Muscadine Harvest Festival
Sept. 23 – 24, 2016, Kenansville
The North Carolina Muscadine Harvest Festival celebrates the heritage – and health benefits – of North Carolina’s state fruit. With more than 25 wineries scheduled to participate, highlights of this popular Kenansville festival include tastings, live music (including a shag contest), food, crafts, winemaking and cooking contests and more.
October
Great Grapes! Wine & Food Festival
Oct. 1, 2016, Charlotte
Though it’s not a specific vineyard, Charlotte’s Great Grapes! Wine & Food Festival features more than 220 wines from 20-plus wineries, food, crafts, art, music, and other uncorked grape fun for all in the fall. Splurge on a VIP package and enjoy all the perks of the VIP area – early entrance, souvenir glass, lanyard, specialty wine selections and more.
North Carolina Grape Stomp Festival
Oct. 2, 2016, Angier
You’re invited to "squish, sip and stomp" at this family-friendly festival celebrating the grape at Gregory Vineyards. In addition to wine and juice tastings, there are games, vendors, foot imprinting, trolley rides, a barbecue sauce contest and even a Lucille Ball look-alike contest.
Shelton Vineyards Harvest Festival
Oct. 14 – 16, 2016, Dobson
The 11th Annual Harvest Festival at Yadkin Valley’s Shelton Vineyards continues to grow, thanks to face painting, hayrides, music, food (including tasty items from Harvest Grill Express), winery tours, and – of course – world-class Shelton wines. Nearby, it’s easy to make a weekend of it by staying at the innovative Hampton Inn & Suites Shelton Vineyards, which features the popular chain’s only property with a wine bar.
Yadkin Valley Grape Festival
Oct. 15, 2016, Yadkinville
The annual Yadkin Valley Grape Festival celebrates what is perhaps North Carolina’s most famous wine region. Appropriately situated in Yadkinville, there are more than 20 Yadkin Valley wineries offering tastes (tickets come with a souvenir glass), as well as food vendors, specialty vendors and artisans and live music. The Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce offers shuttle service from hotels in Yadkinville, Jonesville and Boonville.
Visit VisitNC.com for more information.