In the Yadkin Valley, a country road leads drivers across hills of farmland as they make their way to Shelton Vineyards. Turn at the stone entryway onto Cabernet Lane and the scenery turns into rows of trellised grapevines — fruits of a dream that took hold 27 years ago.
The dream began in the late 1990s, when brothers Charlie and Ed Shelton bought land in their native Surry County. Their shared love of wine became a vineyard with the planting of Cabernet Sauvignon vines in 1999. Charlie’s son, Chip, now co-owns Shelton Vineyards with his sister, Mandy Shelton Houser. He explains that their father originally planned to start a small farming project on the land to fill his time during retirement. “I don’t know how many acres, maybe four or 10 — just as a little hobby — and all of a sudden it grew into a full-time business.”
Golden-hour views across the vineyard capture the quiet beauty of Yadkin Valley. photograph by Corrie Huggins
Charlie wasn’t one for keeping things small, and Ed shared his big vision. As part of their new venture, the brothers also spearheaded the creation of the first federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the state, the Yadkin Valley AVA, lending legitimacy to its grape-growing potential.
Most people associate domestic wines with California’s wine country, but Chip points out that this wasn’t the case 100-plus years ago.
From the vines to the walking paths, Shelton offers a setting made for lingering. photograph by Corrie Huggins
“I’ve heard it said before that back in the day before Prohibition, North Carolina had the highest production of wine and grapes,” he says. It’s a history that’s nearly forgotten. “We’re just getting back to our roots,” Chip chuckles. “No pun intended.”
These days, the sprawling grounds of the Shelton Vineyards include 87 acres planted with 12 varietals, a restaurant, a tasting room, an amphitheater, and a farmhouse for private events, all within an idyllic setting. From the parking lot, guests cross one of three walking bridges over a shaded stream, then ascend up a gentle incline to the tasting room.
Discover Shelton Vineyards in the heart of Yadkin Valley, where award-winning wines, chef-driven dining at Harvest Grill, and inviting overnight accommodations come together for an unforgettable North Carolina wine country escape.
The tasting room welcomes guests to sip, explore, and settle into the Shelton experience. photograph by Corrie Huggins
Inside the tasting room, guests find high-top tables, cozy seating areas, and a large wine bar that hugs the back wall before it turns a corner and curves to create a three-sided bar top. To sample a range of Shelton Vineyards’ wines, take your seat in the winery’s barrel cave for the guided Grand Reserve Tasting. It includes six wines — bold reds like 259 Tannat and crisp whites like the Sauvignon Blanc — accompanied by a board of cheese and charcuterie.
From dry to sweet and white to red, every wine in the Classic and Reserve collections has been touched by Shelton Vineyards’ winemaker, Ethan Brown. Although the climate and soil conditions of the Yadkin Valley contribute to each wine’s flavor and body, a term known as “terrior,” Chip credits Brown for making the vineyard’s wines stand apart from others. “He just does an exceptional job of putting out some great wines,” Chip says. “It goes all the way from when to pick it to when to bottle it.”
At Harvest Grill, vineyard views and chef-driven dining come together in one unforgettable setting. photograph by Corrie Huggins
Follow the path from the tasting room to a patio surrounded by a small herb garden. Here, kitchen staff snip basil and lavender to garnish entrees at the Harvest Grill, Shelton Vineyard’s farm-to-table restaurant just across a pedestrian bridge. During warmer months, the hum of conversation is occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter coming from a collection of market umbrellas on the restaurant’s patio.
The Harvest Grill has long been a special place for area residents like Benson White. White came as a teenager with a friend’s family after church one Sunday, and thereafter he begged his parents to make the restaurant a part of birthdays and special occasions. “There are a lot of good restaurants in the area, but as far as fine dining, this is really the only thing, unless you go to Winston-Salem.”
A beautifully curated board at Harvest Grill invites guests to slow down, savor, and stay awhile. photograph by Corrie Huggins
Now, as the Front of House manager for Harvest Grill, White describes the restaurant as elevated casual. “It’s nothing too fancy, just a nice, casual place where you can have a great meal with family and friends.” The seasons guide a menu that incorporates ingredients from farms located throughout the region and within the state.
At lunchtime, Harvest Grill serves gussied up sandwiches, like the truffle mushroom grilled cheese. All-day entrees like filet mignon and the renowned jumbo lump crab cake come with recommended wine pairings.
Live music at Shelton Vineyards adds another reason to linger, pairing award-winning wine with memorable evenings under the Carolina sky. Photography courtesy of Shelton Vineyards
An evening at Shelton is best enjoyed with great music, vineyard views, and a favorite bottle in hand. Photography courtesy of Shelton Vineyards
Throughout the year, the vineyard hosts musical performances and special events. Music on the Terrace runs March through November, where live musicians sing and strum from the small stage outside the tasting room on Saturday afternoons.
The Summer Concert Series in June, July, and August brings three larger performances, such as On the Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute, to the vineyard’s amphitheater. These concerts draw as many as 1,200 people to the hillside venue.
On these special nights, the barn doors open wide, inviting concertgoers to enjoy charcuterie, wine, beer, and other snacks during the show. If you’re looking for a meal, Harvest Grill offers to-go orders, while food trucks round out the offerings for the evening.
The Hampton Inn & Suites at Shelton Vineyards makes it easy to turn a day in wine country into a full weekend escape. photograph by Corrie Huggins
In 2007, the Shelton family built Hampton Inn Dobson just three miles away to accommodate visitors who want to extend their visit. The newly renovated hotel makes a great launchpad for exploring Yadkin Valley wine country — and guests can end their day with a glass of Shelton Vineyards Bin 17 Chardonnay at the on-site wine bar.
Inviting, beautifully appointed spaces make an overnight stay at Shelton feel as relaxed and refined as the vineyard experience itself. photograph by Corrie Huggins
The all-inclusive nature of Shelton Vineyards sets it apart among the Yadkin Valley AVA’s dozens of vineyards. It’s the legacy that Charlie Shelton left for his family and his community. “We’re continuing that tradition and the passion he had for not only the winery, but also the area that he grew up in,” Chip says. “He was really proud of that.”
Ready for a wine weekend of your own? Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just beginning your journey from grape to glass, plan a visit to Shelton Vineyards and immerse yourself in the flavor, sounds, and scenery. Click here to learn more.
Split-rail fences don’t shout “keep out.” They lean, they shift, they invite. And in western North Carolina, they remind us that some lines are meant to hold, not harden.
Each May, spring climbs nearly 3,000 feet to the seat of Alleghany County. Here, as the rhododendrons blush, a beloved mountain town welcomes visitors with its food, art, and flourish of color and creativity.
Brief but delicious, soft-shell crab season is cherished by diners as well as the folks who work around the clock to put these native pinchers on our plates.
When it comes to poultry, the best is raised close to home.
