Wine Tasting In Asheville: Best Wine Bars
Run by many of the Asheville wineries, Asheville has stellar wine bars:
5 Walnut Wine Bar Located in Downtown Asheville, find an eclectic list of wines in a cute rustic and pastel bar.Bottle Riot Situated in the River Arts District, enter a cozy wine bar with baller bottles. They recently added cocktails and serve a mean charcuterie board.Leos House Of Thirst We cannot get enough of Leos in West Asheville. Choose from glasses, carafes, and bottles as you dine on handhelds, tapas, and more. Uncover West AVLs best restaurants.Battery Park Book Exchange A champagne bar in one ofAshevilles used bookstores? Yes, please. We cannot tell a lie: Battery Park Book Exchange is part of the reason we moved to Asheville. Explore an extensive wine list, and they have literary cocktails.
Where Can You Stay Near The Asheville Wineries & Wine Bars?
Aloft Downtown Asheville If you are looking to stay in downtown Asheville, the Aloft hotel is newly renovated as of 2020. Vibrant local murals, updated rooms, and hipster public areas greet visitors.
They host live music, have a sexy new bar, and the patio space overlooks bustling downtown AVL, amazing for people-watching. Did we mention there is a rooftop pool overlooking the mountains?
Hampton Inn And Suites Asheville Biltmore Area Although this hotel is on busy Brevard Road NC-191 across from the Asheville Outlets, its one of our favorites before moving to Asheville.
For Foodies
Wednesday 10th of March 2021
Hi Danielle,
Usa West Coast Wines California Oregon & Washington State
We carry many popular wines at all price levels from both small and large wineries. Grape varietals include Cabernets Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah/Shiraz, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and more. California AVA regions include Napa, Sonoma, Carneros, Lodi, Monterey, Santa Barbara and others. Oregon AVA regions are represented by the Willamette Valley, Walla Walla, Columbia Valley, McMinnville and more. Finally the wines of Washington State AVA regions, such as the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills and the Columbia Valley, also add great quality to the shelves.
Wine Stores And Unique Experiences
The Asheville area is also home to wine stores that provide unique tastings and experiences.
- Table Wine has not only established itself as a top wine retailer in Asheville but also has become known for its frequent tasting events.
- Metro Wines focuses on wine and food pairings and hosts frequent tastings
- Appalachian Vintner has a rotating list of wines and draft beers on tap to drink in the store.
- Crocodile Wine new store has made a name for itself with its selection of Natural Wine: wines “made by farmers growing grapes in a way sustainable way, then harvested and fermented with careful, but minimal intervention.”
- Maggie B’s Wine and Specialty Store not only lauded for its tastings but for being especially dog-friendly. The store is named after the owners’ yellow Labrador retriever.
And, for a uniquely-Asheville experience, head to The Conundrum for Le Vine Noir. You’ll sip five types of wine in complete darkness. Wine pours are paired with “tasteful snacks, one liners and hilarious hijinks.”
In addition to these dedicated wine bars, Asheville’s nationally-acclaimed dining scene serves up an award-winning selection of local, regional and international wines. Spanish tapas bar Cúrate has earned the title of “One of the 100 Best Wine Restaurants in the U.S.” from Wine Enthusiast.
Also Check: Where To Buy Barolo Wine
Local Asheville And North Carolina Wines
Asheville is home to one of the largest wineries in North Carolina, and the Biltmore Estate is one of the most visited wineries in all of the country. The Weinhaus carries all the varietals offered outside of the Estate, and a wide variety of other North Carolina and regional wines. The Yadkin Valley AVA is well represented as well as offerings of Muscadine and Scuppernong wines from Duplin Co.
South American Wines Argentina & Chile
New World wines from South America continue to improve in popularity as well as quality. Leading the way are the Malbecs from Mendoza, Argentina and the Carmenere, Cabs, and Merlots of Chile. White varietals include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Torrontes and others. Wine regions of Chile, and wine regions in Argentina, that are sold at the Weinhaus include the valleys of Casablanca, Colchagua, Maipo, Lujan, Mendoza and La Rioja.
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Australia New Zealand & South Africa
Other wine growing countries in the Southern Hemisphere represented at the Weinhaus are Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Each grows grapes with unique character, imparting flavors not found anywhere else in the world. Grape varieties that are popular in these regions are Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir.
In Asheville Home To Craft Beer A Wine Scene Rises
Known as Beer City U.S.A., Asheville might seem like the last place youd want to order a glass of wine. But a clutch of top wine bars and stores and restaurants with adventurous wine lists has made the city more than just a stop for hops
MY NEW FAVORITE wine bar isnt in New York, Chicago or San Francisco. Its in a small North Carolina town mostly famous for craft beers.
The Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar in Asheville has both an exceedingly long name and an extensive mix of my favorite things: books, coffee, dogs and Champagne. The eclectic shop was one of many wine-related highlights during a trip I took recently to visit my friend Jamie, a native New Yorker who moved to Asheville several years ago and hasnt stopped raving about it since the day she arrived.
Ashevilles mix of Southern charm, great food and mountain scenery has long been a big draw for discerning tourists, but its wine scene was relatively obscureat least until recently. While breweries still greatly outnumber wine spots in this city of nearly 88,000, a clutch of top wine bars and stores and restaurants with adventurous wine lists has made Asheville more than just a stop for some hops.
Dogs were everywhere at Metro Wines, too. Co-owner Gina Trippi even employs one of her two greyhounds, Bandit, as a sales tool his image is on Bandits Bargains signs throughout the store, touting the very best buys.
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Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard And Winery
Address: 3521 Fallston-Waco Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090Website:
One of the prettiest wineries near Asheville around the Charlotte area, dont miss Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard.
This NC vineyard is one of the furthest on this list from Asheville about 80 miles away and an hour and a half drive.
We enjoyed a sponsored tasting here as part of NC Wine Month and will be back this winery is worth the drive.
Housed in a former dairy, relax out on the patio or on Baker Buffalo Creeks seemingly endless sprawling lawn under a tree or by their signature red barn.
This NC winery is incredibly atmospheric.
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard rents out their barn for weddings. There is a gorgeous chapel on one side and a beautiful reception room inside that glows with hanging lights.
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard Wines
Baker Buffalo Creek offers wine flights in tiny milk jars to honor their dairy roots.
Unlike many of the sweeter NC wines that you will find around the Charlotte winery area, they have traditional reds and whites.
Think Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Chambourcin.
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard Location
Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyards is located at 3521 Fallston-Waco Rd, Lawndale, NC 28090. You can reach them at 704-538-9927.
More Wineries Near Baker Buffalo Creek Vineyard
Eat Tj’s Recipes To Save You Money & Time
Making a satisfying meal shouldn’t be an astronomically expensive endeavornor does it need to be rocket science. So in the spirit of effortless, affordable eating, we’ve dedicated some space to five dishes that can be completed in just three small steps. Talk about a giant leap for mealtime! Watch the videos to discover easy entrées and stellar snacks, each with an ingredient list designed to cost about $10…
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Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards/saint Paul Mountain Farms
Address: 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville NC, 28792Website:
One of the first wineries near Asheville that we visited before moving to NC, Saint Paul Mountain Farms is incredibly cozy with delicious wines.
They have three locations: A vineyard in Hendersonville which we will talk about here a cidery, and a Flat Rock location.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards features an inviting stone fireplace and an open-air patio. One year, we found ourselves sipping homemade stew from crockpots after enjoying a wine tasting.
Outside of the Asheville wineries, these guys have some of Toms favorite NC wine.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards Wines
St. Paul offers a variety of reds, whites, and ciders.
Their go-to red is the Chestnut Gap, and they have a series of Rieslings and Chardonnays that we enjoy along with a Petit Verdot and Merlot.
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards Location
St. Paul Mountain Vineyards is located at 588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville NC, 28792. Reach them at 828-685-4002.
Gorgeous Wineries In & Near Asheville
Posted on Last updated: July 16, 2022
Searching for the best wineries in Asheville? Discover top Asheville wineries, fun wine bars, and beautiful vineyards & wineries near Asheville, NC.
Its no secret that we are from Connecticut and enjoy the CT wine trail. Then, we moved to Florida where citrus wines and the muscadine grape ruled. Eh
Weve also wine tasted all over the world with some of our favorites including the Sicilian, French, and Portuguese vineyards.
We prefer deep and spicy reds, oaked Chardonnays, smooth Chenin Blancs, sweet Rieslings, and any Gewürztraminer.
With that being said, North Carolina produces quite a few delicious wines, and they arent all sweet. Even Asheville a sea of foamy beer has stellar wineries and wine bars.
So, if you are headed to WNC, what are some of the best wineries near Asheville, NC that you can visit?
Our personal favorite vineyards near Asheville include the Flat Rock and Hendersonville wineries like Stone Ashe Vineyard, Marked Tree, and Souther Williams.
The Tryon Foothills are a bit further out from Asheville but produce even more varietals at family-run farms like Parker-Binns.
Dont forget Linville Falls Winery near Grandfather Mountain.
Below, explore not-to-miss wineries in and near Asheville. Learn what to expect and what to drink from AVL locals.
All of these Asheville wineries are within two-hours driving distance of the city. Lets get started!
Dont miss out on these Asheville properties on Booking.com, too.
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Grandest Grapes: Wineries To Visit
With so many wineries and vineyards in the area, how do you choose where to visit?
A great place to start is Biltmore, where you can pair your wine adventure with a visit to America’s largest home. Located on the Estate grounds, Biltmore Winery paved the way for the local wine industry beginning when the first wine was created in the 1970s. Today, wine is built into the Biltmore experience: a visit to the winery and a wine tasting is included in Biltmore admission. For an additional $10 you can go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Biltmore Winery. Take your experience to the next level with the Vine to Wine Tour and Tasting experience, a 2.5-hour tour which includes a visit to the vineyard and exploration of areas of Biltmore Estate not normally seen by guests.
In the heart of Asheville, a new winery, Plb Urban Winery, is drawing attention. Pleb’s emphasis is on using grapes from local farmers and growers. From six farms in Western North Carolina, Plb produces more than 20 small-batch wines that represent the Asheville area. The winery, located in Asheville’s River Arts District, has become known for having one of the area’s most interesting wine selections on tap. Sip wine and enjoy the atmosphere in the tasting room which features colorful murals by Asheville artists.
Other surrounding communities with wineries include the cities of Hendersonville and Tryon .
Where To Sip And Savor: Wine Bars
Wine isnt just part of Ashevilles culture. Its shaping the culture of this mountain city. In recent years, a series of wine bars have opened, expanding on the already robust wine scene.
- Bottle Riot in the River Arts District brings you wine from around the world, offering 60 wines by the glass. The bar focuses on wines that are “sustainable, biodynamic and ones that are unique, rare and just plain geeky.”
- Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, also in the historic Grove Arcade pairs a beautiful bookstore setting with an extensive wine selection. This pet-friendly wine bar has been featured on Wine Enthusiast’s list of “Top 20 Wine Bars in America.” Live Jazz music every weekend adds to the ambiance.
- 5 Walnut Wine Bar has drinks with live music every night in downtown Asheville. In warmer months, large open windows allow the overflow crowd to enjoy the jazz, salsa, blues and Afrobeat from the sidewalk.
- Weinhaus, in downtown Asheville Asheville’s oldest beer and wine store. Weinhaus houses the Cork and Keg Bar, which offers a variety of wine and beer by the glass as well as a selection of cheese plates and snacks. Cork and Keg maintains a busy schedule of live music throughout the year.
- the aventine Plb’s newest tasting room located in downtown Asheville across from the Grove Arcade. Featuring its own wines along with other producers who also focus on their local terroir and use organic, biodynamic or minimal intervention practices.
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Updates: The Captains Bookshelf Permanently Closed
Established in 1976, The Captains Bookshelf was one of the oldest bookstores in Asheville.
They bought and sold used and rare books, including signed books, first editions, and leather-bound novels. Unfortunately, the downtown brick-and-mortar bookshop on Page Ave closed in 2020.
In 2022, with the death of one of the co-owners, they announced the closing of their online shop too. We first saw the announcement in Mountain Xpress. We will miss them.
Even More Comic Book Stores and Bookstores in Asheville:
Need help finding a book to read? Check out our reading lists:
Lastly, if you are looking for book recommendations, head over to our sister site, The Uncorked Librarian .
Also managed by Christine, TUL focuses on books and movies to inspire travel. Find reading lists with new books, books by country, and seasonal book lists.
Did you find a new bookstore in Asheville, NC to love? Save this article for later:
Do you have a favorite Asheville bookstore?
What are your favorite Asheville bookstores? Do you prefer used bookstores or ones that sell only new books?
What is your top bookstore in the United States? Around the world? Please let us know in the comments.
Dont miss out on these Asheville properties on Booking.com, too.
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Incredible Asheville Bookstores Not To Miss
Posted on Last updated: September 3, 2022
Are you looking for the best bookstores in Asheville, NC? Dont miss these Asheville bookstores, including a champagne book bar, used bookstores, and bookshops that are havens for writers and rebels.
Did you know that Asheville has a champagne book bar, a queer and feminist co-op bookstore, and a bookshop in a location where they used to auction cows?
In fact, one of the main reasons that we moved to Western North Carolina involves an Asheville bookstore. Can you guess which one pushed these boozy and bookish travel writers over the edge?
Battery Park Book Exchange! Picture sipping literary cocktails between the stacks in the heart of Downtown Asheville.
Of course, you cannot skip another one of the stellar Asheville bookstores, Malaprops Bookstore and Cafe. Explore fantastic local book displays, attend author visits, and shop for geeky schwag.
Signing up for Malaprops newsletter is also a must. The city truly is a book lovers dream.
So, what is our favorite bookstore in Asheville as locals? What are some of the overall best bookstores in Asheville to drop into if you are visiting or are a resident?
Well even share online bookshops, library book sales, and a huge bookstore near Asheville that sells toys and games. Lets get started!
You may also enjoy our Literary Guide To Asheville.
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Downtown Books & News
Address: 67 North Lexington Ave. in Asheville, NCWebsite: Phone Number: 253-8654Parking: While there is metered street parking, the Civic Center & Rankin Garages are your closest parking garages
Downtown Books & News is a used bookstore in Asheville and is the sister store to Malaprops. DBN is also an art gallery and newsstand.
As they best explain, Downtown Books & News specializes in metaphysical & occult, hippie how-to, homesteading & self-sufficiency, Eastern medicine, zines, things beautifully illustrated, and Easton & Franklin Press leather-bound editions.
Inside, youll find old movie theater seating, endless bookshelves, and school desks from your childhood. Its incredibly nostalgic and cozy.
An extra cool fact: the store DBN is currently in used to be a shoe store and a jewelry store. Before then, people auctioned off their live cattle here.
Firestorm Books & Coffee
Phone Number: 255-8115Parking: Find bike racks on Haywood Road and free street parking
Firestorm Books & Coffee is one of the most radical and unique Asheville bookstores. They are not afraid to speak up for the community .
A self-proclaimed queer, feminist collective, Firestorm is a worker-owned and self-managed business. Typically, BLM and Defund the Police signs greet visitors. This is your liberal haven.
While Firestorm operates like a nonprofit, they are actually a co-op with books and a community space for West Asheville.
Book lovers can peruse shelves of indie books, amazing diverse new book releases, artwork, and vegan treats.
They host film screenings, workshops, book clubs, and fundraisers. This is a dry space, too.
Firestorms goal is to reflect the needs of marginalized Southern communities. In the bathroom, find free condoms and a place to dispose of syringes with sharps.
Upcoming in 2023, Firestorm will relocate a mile away from their current site to 1022 Haywood Road, a former automotive shop.
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