Christian Paul Vineyards: Five Generations of Winemaking, Brand New in Elkin
Christian Paul Ercolani carries winemaking in his blood — his family has owned and operated a vineyard in Montepulciano, Italy, for roughly 125 years, and a century-old wine press that traveled from Italy with his great-grandfather still sits just inside the entrance of the tasting room. Christian holds a PhD in Geochemistry and spent years in restaurants building his palate before deciding, during the pandemic, to pursue the family tradition himself. Alongside co-owner Andrew Weyl, a lawyer who grew up crop farming and hand-built the tasting room, Christian opened Christian Paul Vineyards with a soft opening over Labor Day weekend 2023 and a grand opening that November — making it the Yadkin Valley’s 44th winery and the 18th on the Surry County Wine Trail.
The two had two requirements when scouting locations: excellent soil and proximity to an interstate. They found both just outside Elkin, a mile east of I-77, on a 25-acre property sitting at 1,200 feet of elevation. Ercolani, the geochemist, personally tested soil samples on-site and confirmed an 18-inch cap of mineral-rich red clay topsoil over sandy, silty loam — an ideal structure for growing grapes in the heart of Yadkin Valley wine country.
The Wines of Christian Paul Vineyards
The estate has planted 5.5 of its 25 acres in Vitis vinifera and hybrid grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Traminette, Malbec, Albariño, Chambourcin, and Montepulciano — a nod to Ercolani’s family homeland. While the young vines mature, Christian Paul has partnered with fellow Yadkin Valley producers, including Childress, Haze Gray, Jones von Drehle, and Stony Knoll, to source grapes for its debut wines: Grenache Rosé, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and a Blanc de Blancs sparkling Chardonnay. The tasting menu, aptly named “Around the World,” leads guests through wine styles from Italy, France, Australia, and California in a single visit — a first-class flight without leaving Elkin.
Planning Your Visit
Address: 156 Tuscan Way, Elkin, NC 28621
Tasting Room Hours: Thursday–Saturday, 11am – 6pm; Sunday, 12pm – 6pm; Monday–Wednesday by appointment
The tasting room, called Villa del Sole, offers several ways to experience the wines:
- Around the World Tasting — a customizable flight at the counter or seated, priced roughly $16–$22.
- Champagne Room — a private space for tastings, wine-and-cheese pairings, and small gatherings of up to 15 people.
- Wine Pairing Dinners — quarterly plated or casual sip-and-graze events for up to 40 guests.
- Live Music & Food Trucks — regular events on the covered patio; outside food is welcome any time.
A few practical notes we have learned from bringing groups here: Christian Paul is family- and pet-friendly, though guests must be 21+ at the tasting counter itself, and groups of six or more should call ahead so the staff can prepare proper service. Because the tasting room is still new and popular, we recommend budgeting at least an hour here — longer if there is live music or a food truck on-site, which tends to turn a quick tasting into an afternoon.
Where Christian Paul Fits in Your Tour Route
Christian Paul sits right in Elkin, minutes from several of the town’s other tasting rooms, which makes it easy to pair with two or three additional stops on the same day. Its later closing time on weekends (6pm Thursday through Sunday) also makes it a natural last stop on an Elkin-focused itinerary.
Plan on roughly 1.5 hours per winery plus drive time between stops. Because Christian Paul’s tasting counter offers an international range of styles in one visit, it works well as a contrast stop alongside wineries that focus more narrowly on a single style or region.
Wine Tour Transportation to Christian Paul Vineyards
Ashe County Livery provides private, chauffeured wine tour transportation to Christian Paul Vineyards from Ashe County, Boone, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and across NC’s High Country. Our Christian Paul Vineyards 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 Christian Paul Vineyards tour or call (336) 484-1350.
Nearby wineries we also serve: Adagio Vineyards · Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery · Elkin Creek Vineyard — 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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