Brandon Hills Vineyard: A South African’s Passion Project
Brandon Hills Vineyard was first established in 2005 southwest of Yadkinville, then closed for a period before Larry Mueller, originally from South Africa, bought the property in 2017. Larry works in the manufacture of steel crusher parts near Mooresville, but wine started as a hobby that grew into something closer to a calling. He and Elizabeth Mueller now run the tasting room together, and Larry is often on hand to greet guests personally, share the vineyard’s history, and pour a glass himself.
What sets Brandon Hills apart is its scale: the vineyard sits on 40 total acres, but only about four acres are planted in grapes, using an Open Lyre Trellis System that balances vine growth against grape production. It is a genuinely small, boutique operation, and visitors consistently mention how personal the experience feels — a rustic, well-manicured tasting room with a porch overlooking the vines and a gazebo out back.
The Wines of Brandon Hills Vineyard
The vineyard grows Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Vermentino — a mix that leans into European varietals not every Yadkin Valley producer takes on. The current wine list runs to around 17 different pours, including the Raptor Red and Raptor Red Reserve Bordeaux blends, a bourbon-barrel-aged dry red, and the Rebel Red, a Syrah-Merlot blend that took Silver at the Great American International Wine Competition in New York and Gold at the NC Fine Wine Society competition, with a 90-point score from James Suckling. For every bottle of Rebel Red sold, Brandon Hills donates a dollar to the local animal shelter. The 2021 Barbera also picked up a Gold Medal and Best in Class at the 2024 NC Fine Wines competition.
Beyond the classic varietals, Brandon Hills makes a lineup of fruit-forward options — Blueberry, Pineapple, Peach, and Cranberry Delight wines, along with a Spanish-style Sangria — that give the tasting flight some range beyond dry reds and whites.
Planning Your Visit
Address: 1927 Brandon Hills Rd., Yadkinville, NC 27055
Hours: March–December, Saturday 12pm–6pm, Sunday 1pm–5pm; February, Saturday & Sunday 1pm–5pm; closed in January
A visit here is straightforward and unhurried:
- Tasting Flight — a guided pour through the current lineup, around $15 with a Riedel glass to keep.
- Porch & Gazebo — seating on the porch or in the gazebo overlooking the vineyard, a favorite spot for celebrations.
- Private Events — the patio, pergola, and fountain area can be rented for weddings and gatherings of up to about 50 guests.
A few practical notes we have learned from bringing groups here: Brandon Hills is pet-friendly, and the tasting room staff genuinely enjoy talking through the vineyard’s varietals and its history under new ownership. Because the property is off the beaten path compared to some of the busier Yadkin Valley stops, we recommend budgeting at least an hour here so your group has time to relax on the porch rather than feeling rushed in and out.
Where Brandon Hills Fits in Your Tour Route
Brandon Hills sits just outside Yadkinville, in the heart of Yadkin County, which puts it within easy reach of several other small producers in the same rolling countryside. It pairs naturally with a visit to nearby Hanover Park or Divine Llama Vineyards, both a short drive away, for a day built around smaller, family-run wineries rather than the larger estate experience.
Plan on roughly 1.5 hours per winery plus drive time. Because Brandon Hills only opens on weekends (plus limited February hours), we typically build it into a Saturday or Sunday route rather than a weekday itinerary.
Yadkin County’s back roads are part of the appeal here — rolling pastures, old farmhouses, and a slower pace than the busier stretches of the Yadkin Valley. If your group wants a day that feels more like exploring the countryside than checking off a list of tasting rooms, Brandon Hills and its Yadkinville neighbors are a good fit, and a private chauffeur means nobody has to worry about the winding country roads on the way back.
Wine Tour Transportation to Brandon Hills Vineyard
Ashe County Livery provides private, chauffeured wine tour transportation to Brandon Hills Vineyard from Ashe County, Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and across NC’s High Country. Our Brandon Hills Vineyard trip-planning page covers drive times, tasting-room hours, group sizes and pricing.
Travel in a luxury SUV, sedan, or Sprinter van with a professional chauffeur — everyone in your group gets to taste, nobody has to drive. We only charge from pickup to your last drop-off, and every tour includes a complimentary cooler with ice and water. Plan your Brandon Hills Vineyard tour or call (336) 484-1350.
Nearby wineries we also serve: Hanover Park Vineyard · Divine Llama Vineyards · Sanders Ridge Vineyard and Winery — or browse all 54 Yadkin Valley wineries we provide transportation to.
Explore More from Ashe County Livery
- Yadkin Valley Wine Tours — Explore NC’s premier wine region
- High Country Wine Tours — Mountain winery service
- Wedding Transportation — Luxury transportation for your big day
- Airport Transfers — CLT, AVL, GSO & TRI
- Request a free quote — or call (336) 484-1350
🍷 Planning a Wine Tour in the NC High Country?
Ashe County Livery offers private, luxury wine tour transportation throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. Skip the driving and let our professional chauffeurs take you from winery to winery in comfort and style.
Serving Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, Boone, and all NC High Country destinations • (336) 484-1350
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