How to Plan the Perfect Hendersonville, NC Wine Tour
There is something special about spending a day in the mountains with a glass of wine in your hand and nowhere else you need to be.
Here in Hendersonville, we are fortunate to have beautiful vineyards tucked among rolling hills, apple country, and Blue Ridge Mountain views. Each one offers its own personality. You might find a wide-open patio overlooking the mountains at one stop, a cozy tasting room at the next, and live music or a local food truck waiting for you farther down the road.
A Hendersonville wine tour can be a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday, gather your girlfriends, enjoy a romantic day together, or simply experience a different side of Western North Carolina. But a little planning goes a long way toward making the day feel relaxed.
As a Hendersonville native and the owner of The Regal Ride, I have helped plenty of groups plan their vineyard outings. Here are a few things I recommend when putting together your own wine tour.
Start With the Kind of Day You Want
Before choosing your vineyards, think about how you want the day to feel.
Are you looking for a lively celebration with music and plenty of energy? Would your group prefer a quiet afternoon with beautiful scenery? Is the wine itself the focus, or are you mainly looking for a fun place to spend time together?
There is no single “best” itinerary. The right wine tour is the one that fits your group.
It also helps to consider the occasion. A bachelorette party may want something festive and social, while a couple celebrating an anniversary might prefer a slower pace and more intimate settings. A group of serious wine lovers may want more time for tastings and conversations with the people behind the wine.
Knowing your group makes it much easier to choose the right stops.
Plan on Visiting Two or Three Vineyards
It can be tempting to fit as many vineyards as possible into one day. In our experience, two or three thoughtfully chosen stops usually create a much more enjoyable outing.
You will want time to order a tasting or glass, explore the property, take photos, enjoy the view, and talk with the people you came to spend the day with. When too many stops are packed into the schedule, the day can begin to feel like a race.
Travel time also matters. The vineyards around Henderson County are spread throughout the countryside, and mountain roads do not always allow for a quick trip from one location to the next.
A comfortable itinerary gives your group enough time to enjoy each stop without constantly checking the clock.
Choose Vineyards That Offer Different Experiences
Henderson County is part of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County wine region, which was officially designated as an American Viticultural Area in 2019. Our mountain water, elevation, soil, and climate create wonderful growing conditions for a variety of grapes.
They also create some pretty incredible places to enjoy a glass of wine.
When planning your Hendersonville wine tour, consider choosing vineyards that offer a mix of experiences. One may have the mountain views your group is dreaming about, while another offers an intimate tasting room or a relaxed outdoor gathering space.
The Regal Ride visits vineyards throughout Henderson County, including local favorites such as Burntshirt Vineyards, Marked Tree Vineyard, Point Lookout Vineyards, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, Sawyer Springs Vineyard, Stone Ashe Vineyard, Souther Williams Vineyard, and Johnson Family Farm and Vineyard.
Venues, operating hours, reservation policies, and group requirements can change, so it is always wise to confirm the details before your tour.
Make Time for Food
Wine tasting and an empty stomach are rarely a royal combination.
Some vineyards offer food trucks, small plates, or cheese boards. Others may allow guests to bring a picnic. These options can vary by location and by day, so check with each vineyard before assuming food will be available.
If your tour falls around lunchtime, plan a designated food stop or choose a vineyard where your group can settle in with something to eat. Snacks and plenty of water are also helpful throughout the day.
Food may not be the main event, but including it in the plan will keep everyone feeling good and enjoying the experience.
Dress for the Vineyard, Not Just the Photos
Western North Carolina weather can change quickly, especially in the mountains. A sunny afternoon may turn cool once the sun drops behind the ridge.
Comfortable shoes are always a good idea. Vineyards may have gravel pathways, grassy areas, hills, or uneven ground. Depending on the season, you may also want sunscreen, sunglasses, a light jacket, or an umbrella.
Of course, you can still coordinate those adorable outfits. Just make sure everyone can comfortably walk, sit outdoors, and enjoy the day in them.
Decide Who Will Handle the Driving
Transportation is one of the most important parts of planning a winery day.
The vineyards around Hendersonville are not all located within walking distance of one another, and cell service can be unpredictable in some rural areas. Relying on rideshare availability at each stop can create unnecessary stress.
Choosing professional wine-tour transportation means no one in your group has to be the designated driver. It also allows everyone to stay together instead of coordinating several cars and meeting points.
The Regal Ride provides transportation in company-owned, fully insured vehicles. We pick your group up at an approved location, take you from one destination to the next, and return you to the arranged drop-off point at the end of the tour.
You can simply settle in, enjoy the scenery, and let us do the driving.
Leave a Little Room for the Unexpected
A good itinerary keeps the day moving. A great itinerary also leaves room to enjoy it.
Maybe your group falls in love with a particular vineyard and wants another glass. Perhaps there is live music, a beautiful sunset, or a conversation you are not ready to end. Those often become the moments people remember most.
Try not to schedule every minute. Give yourselves permission to slow down and be present.
After all, the best part of a wine tour is not checking vineyards off a list. It is laughing with your favorite people, discovering a new wine, and enjoying the beauty of the mountains together.
Ready to Plan Your Hendersonville Wine Tour?
Whether you are celebrating something special or simply looking for a beautiful way to spend the day, we would love to help you create a wine tour that fits your group.
The Regal Ride offers Henderson County vineyard tours, Tryon and Polk County vineyard tours, and personalized outings throughout Western North Carolina. We can help you think through your destinations, timing, and transportation so your group can focus on having a safe and fabulous day.
Tasting fees, food, and beverages are paid directly to the venues you visit.
Call or text (828) 808-3429, or email theregalride@gmail.com, to begin planning your outing.
Come enjoy the mountains, raise a glass, and let us treat you like royalty.