Tryon Foothills Wine Country

Unwind at the picturesque vineyards in the Tryon Foothills Wine Country near Columbus and Tryon. The Tryon Foothills AVA (American Viticultural Area) recently received official recognition as a premium grape-growing region! It's an easy 45-mile drive from Asheville via I-26 East. 

The rolling, rural countryside of eastern Polk County is home to fertile ground for grape growing. In fact, more than 20 vineyards dot the countryside along with five wineries open to visitors (the first vineyard arrived in 1890!). This area is called the "isothermal belt", located at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountain range. The mountains protect this area from harsh weather extremes and usually keep the area cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. So it has the longest growing season in western North Carolina. See a Google Map below with all five wineries. Let First Peak be your guide to wineries in their area. 

For more wine tasting, see our Top 15 Wineries near Asheville.

At Parker-Binns Vineyard, you will instantly feel at home and be guided on a tasting of wines. They offer food through their kitchen, Relish, too. They also offer a regular schedule of live music and events at this welcoming winery that features sweeping mountain and vineyard views. It's a great place to visit even if you don't drink! Check out their loft for an overnight stay.

At Overmountain Vineyards, Winemaker Sofia Lilly offers a fascinating guided tour of her family's elegant artisanal winery with a special tasting. Book this in advance (guests must be 18+). Their Tasting Room (photo at top of page) has a fantastic outdoor area overlooking the vineyard.

At Mountain Brook Vineyards, you can enjoy wine tastings at The Lawn—one of the Southeast's largest outdoor tasting areas. Or, book a guided experience in Cooper's Cellar, their working barrel room, for special tastings of limited-production wines. This is First Peak's largest winery. Everything about it is expansive, from the firepit to the amazing views of the vineyards. Check out their on-site rental villas

In Addition to Wine...
Their is a strong culinary scene in the First Peak region that features farm-to-table dining. Looking Glass Creamery operates a 200-acre dairy farm. Visitors sample artisan cheese, homemade ice cream, and hard cider. 

Also, nearby is the Tryon International, with many horse competitions that are free to attend. 

A great scenic drive is the road to the top of White Oak Mountain and right past Shunkawauken Falls. The unique House of Flags Museum (33 Gibson Street) displays 300+ flags with interesting stories for each. Read more about things to do below!