Holiday wine tours in the Yadkin Valley are one of the easiest ways to get a group together between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. The harvest is in, the tasting rooms are quieter than in October, and a day in wine country works for families in town for the holiday, Friendsgiving crews and office teams alike.
Below are wineries to look into for a holiday visit, with holiday closures and events each one has posted. This is a list for you to research, not a set route: the right mix depends on your group, your day and who needs a reservation. Hours change with the season, so check each winery before you go.
Wineries to Consider for Thanksgiving Weekend and December
Shelton Vineyards (Dobson)
Open every day of the year except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Shelton’s Harvest Grill restaurant is on site; parties of 9 or more should call ahead.
Sanders Ridge (Boonville)
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2026. On Friday, November 27, Sanders Ridge hosts a “Post Thanksgiving Coma Relief” afternoon of live music from 1 to 4 p.m. Lunch is served daily, and groups of 6 or more need a reservation.
Piccione Vineyards (Ronda)
Open daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Groups of 8 or more should reserve at least 24 hours ahead.
JOLO Winery (Pilot Mountain)
Reservations are required for all tastings and dining. JOLO lists Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas weekend as Family Days, and it hosts a Greensboro Opera Dinner on Friday, December 11, 2026.
Rayson Winery (Mocksville)
Formerly RayLen. Rayson asks for reservations for tastings and dining, and its Bistro Europa restaurant makes it a natural lunch stop.
Dynamis Estate Wines (Jonesville)
Open Wednesday through Sunday, with guided tastings by reservation and group tours for 6 or more on request.
Divine Llama Vineyards (East Bend)
Open year-round Thursday through Sunday. Llama treks, a hit with families, must be reserved.
Laurel Gray Vineyards (Hamptonville)
Open Wednesday through Sunday from February through December; groups of 8 or more should reserve.
Castello Barone and Christian Paul Vineyards
Castello Barone in Ronda asks for reservations for groups of 8 or more. Christian Paul in Elkin is open Friday through Monday, with weekday visits by appointment.
See every winery we serve on our Yadkin Valley wineries page.
Three Ways to Do a Holiday Wine Day
Family in Town for Thanksgiving
The Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving are a natural day out for adult family members while the house recovers. Several wineries above are open that weekend, and some welcome guests under 21 on posted Family Days.
Friendsgiving
Swap the potluck for a tasting room. Groups of friends can book a private vehicle, pick a few wineries from the list, and let someone else handle the driving between stops.
Office Holiday Outings
A wine day makes an easy December team outing for offices in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Charlotte and the Triad. Our vans carry up to 14 passengers, with more vehicles for larger teams, and companies can receive one invoice. See our corporate transportation page.
Plan Ahead in December
- Reserve early. JOLO and Rayson ask for reservations, and most wineries ask groups to call ahead.
- Check holiday closures. Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are the most common closures.
- Short days. It gets dark early in December, and country roads between wineries are unlit.
- Gifts. Tasting rooms are a good place to pick up holiday gifts, and a private vehicle has room for the cases.
Ashe County Livery runs private Yadkin Valley wine tours with pickup at your home, hotel or office. Request a quote or call (336) 484-1350 to plan your holiday wine day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Yadkin Valley wineries open the day after Thanksgiving?
Many are. Shelton, Piccione and Sanders Ridge have all posted that they close on Thanksgiving Day itself, not the weekend after, and Sanders Ridge has live music on Friday, November 27. Check each winery before you go.
Which Yadkin Valley wineries close for Christmas?
Shelton closes Christmas Day; Piccione closes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day; Sanders Ridge closes Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in 2026.
Do we need reservations for a group?
Often, yes. JOLO and Rayson ask for reservations for tastings and dining, and most other wineries ask groups of 6 to 10 or more to call ahead.
Can you pick up our office group for a holiday wine tour?
Yes. We pick up at your office, home or hotel in vehicles for up to 14 passengers, with additional vehicles for larger groups.
Related holiday reading
- Thanksgiving Week in the High Country: A Family Guide
- Choose-and-Cut Christmas Tree Farms Near Boone, West Jefferson and Banner Elk
- High Country Christmas Events 2026
- Winter Wine Tours in the NC Mountains
🍷 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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