How many places in America can still say agriculture runs in their veins? In Wilkes County, North Carolina, it’s not just history – it’s a way of life. Here, you’re more likely to get stuck behind a tractor than in traffic, and the scent of fresh-tilled earth is part of the daily rhythm.

What makes Wilkes County special isn’t just its beauty (though the mountain vistas and rolling farmland are hard to beat) – it’s the way locals have turned their deep agricultural roots into unforgettable experiences. From hands-on vineyard visits to sipping spirits with a side of storytelling, agritourism here isn’t a trend. It’s tradition.

Moonshine, Memories & Modern-Day Makers

Let’s start with something Wilkes County is infamous for: moonshine. Long before microbreweries and tasting rooms were cool, this was the Moonshine Capital of the World. Back then, whiskey wasn’t just a drink–it was survival. And that rebellious streak? It never really went away.

Take a tour with Brian Call, seventh-generation distiller and owner of Call Family Distillers, and you’ll hear stories that feel pulled from the pages of Southern folklore. His ancestor, Reverend Daniel Call, was the man who taught a young Jack Daniels how to distill. The Reverend eventually had to choose between the Bible and the bottle. (Spoiler: he picked the pulpit.)

Brian, though? He’s picked both tradition and innovation. His small-batch moonshine is steam-distilled using white cornmeal from the same old mill his grandfather used – Linney’s Mill, still waterwheel-powered since 1790.

Call Family’s operation is a far cry from the hidden forest stills of the past. It’s a pristine, science-meets-history facility with vintage moonshine cars on display, a rustic-chic tasting room, and a laid-back music venue called the Mash House, where live bands and food trucks bring the good vibes. Come for the spirits; stay for the stories.

1611 Industrial Drive, Wilkesboro
336-990-0708 | callfamilydistillers.com

More Moonshine, Another Twist

Down in Moravian Falls, Jack Holman is doing something completely different–crafting authentic, colonial-style applejack with about 60 apples per bottle. His spirits are small-batch, high-integrity, and totally unique. (He even calls himself the only "true commercial applejack maker on the planet.")

336-921-0386 | holmandistillery.com

Wine Time in the Yadkin Valley

Let’s switch gears–because Wilkes County is also wine country. With over 50 wineries within an hour’s drive and two AVA (American Viticultural Area) designations, this is serious wine territory.

At Raffaldini Vineyards, you’ll swear you’ve teleported to Tuscany. A clay-tiled villa overlooks acres of carefully planted vines that thrive in the mineral-rich, schist-laced soil. Jay Raffaldini has made it his mission to prove that fine European-style wines can flourish in the North Carolina foothills. Spoiler: he’s succeeding. Big time.

450 Groce Road, Ronda
336-835-9463 | raffaldini.com

Just up the road at Piccione Vineyards, you’ll find 30 acres of French and Italian grapes soaking up the Yadkin Valley sun. The view? Postcard-perfect. The wine? Complex, estate-grown, and deeply personal. Whether you’re tasting on the terrace or getting your hands dirty in a grape-growing workshop, the Piccione team is all about making wine accessible and memorable.

2364 Cedar Forest Road, Ronda
336-571-1024 | piccionewines.com

Other must-visits nearby:

• McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks (try their heirloom apple cider!)
• Stardust Cellars (for biodynamic wine, mead, and old-world flair)
• Jones von Drehle, Roaring River Vineyards, and the brand-new Castello Barone

Beer Lovers, Rejoice

Not into wine? No worries–Wilkes County has a pint for you too.

In downtown Wilkesboro, TwoBoros Brewery & Pizzeria pours crisp IPAs, smooth stouts, and brick-oven pizza in a charming historic building. It’s the kind of place where everyone’s a regular after the second visit.

111 East Main Street, Wilkesboro
336-990-9455 | twoborosbrewery.com

Over in Elkin, Angry Troll Brewing brings fun with beer, food, arcade games, and an unbeatable Main Street location. From yoga and pints to beer school, it’s part brewery, part community hangout.

222 East Main Street, Elkin
336-258-2251 | angrytrollbrewing.com

Apples, Orchards, and Family Fun

Of course, you can’t talk about agritourism in Wilkes without mentioning apples. Lots of them. This region, thanks to its elevation and isothermal microclimate, is prime apple-growing territory.

At Perry Lowe Orchards, six generations of the same family have cultivated these foothills. From September through early November, the orchard turns into a playground for all ages–U-pick apples, wagon rides, apple mazes, cider tastings, and yes, even an apple cannon.

8741 NC Highway 16, Moravian Falls
336-921-3123 | perryloweorchards.com

And if you’re visiting in early October? Don’t miss the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro. It’s a full-blown celebration of all things apple (and then some).

For even more orchard adventures, the Wilkes County Farmers Market (April-October) and new agritourism spots like Growing Faith Farms offer flowers, animals, glamping, and star-filled nights on 125 acres of quiet countryside.

Growing Faith Farms, Moravian Falls
336-921-0081 | growingfaithfarms.com

Wilkes County isn’t just a destination. It’s a place where every pour, pick, and plot of land has a story. So whether you’re sipping moonshine with the descendants of legends or wandering rows of vines that could rival Italy, one thing’s for sure–you’re not just visiting. You’re part of something real.

Raise a glass, take a bite, and stay a little longer. You’re always welcome in Wilkes.