Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards sits at 588 Chestnut Gap Road in Hendersonville, NC, on land the Ward family has farmed for generations. According to the winery’s own site, Saint Paul’s became the first vineyard and winery in Henderson County when it was established in 2008. It’s a genuine drive from the High Country — this reads as a full-day private trip rather than an afternoon stop — but it’s one of the more established, awards-decorated tasting rooms in western North Carolina wine country.
A Farm-First Winery, Established 2008
Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards’ own site describes itself as “A Taste of Home,” established in 2008 on farmland that has been in the Ward family for centuries. That framing matters here — this isn’t a winery built on land bought for the purpose; it’s a working farm where wine became the newest crop. The property sits within what the winery’s site and its High Country Wine Tours listing (sourced from the NC Wine & Grape Council) describe as the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, a federally recognized American Viticultural Area in the region.
What to Taste: French Vinifera and Estate-Grown Wine
Saint Paul specializes in French Vinifera grapes, and the winery’s own site says its regional growing conditions allow for a wide range of varietals grown within the area — the HCWT listing cites 14 varietals specifically. Winemaker Tim Crowe, per Saint Paul’s own “Our Wines” page, brings more than 30 years of winemaking experience across three continents and four states to the estate. The winery describes itself as an Estate Winery, meaning its wines are grown, produced and bottled on the property, and states that its wines and ciders have won awards at the state, American Wine Society, and international level, including what the winery’s own site describes as four Governor’s Cup recognitions. Saint Paul also operates Appalachian Ridge Hard Cider as a sister brand and tasting room, giving visitors a cider option alongside the estate wines. As always, specific current pours and awards should be confirmed against Saint Paul’s own site, since offerings and any award-year specifics can change.
The Setting and the Experience
Saint Paul’s tasting room centers on an open-air patio adjacent to the vineyard, with a stone fireplace for cooler months, according to the winery’s own site. The property runs an active, nearly year-round events calendar — the winery’s own listings show a steady rotation of live music acts and food trucks scheduled across both the Saint Paul vineyard location and the Appalachian Ridge cidery location, several nights a week during peak season. Saint Paul also operates an on-site five-bedroom farmhouse Airbnb, per its own site, for visitors who want to stay close rather than day-trip.
What Else Is Nearby
Saint Paul sits close enough to Point Lookout Vineyards & World’s Edge Meadery, also in the Hendersonville area, that a single day trip could reasonably include both tasting rooms. Downtown Hendersonville’s Main Street — a walkable stretch of shops and restaurants — is a short drive from the vineyard and makes an easy add-on before or after a tasting.
Planning Your Visit
Hendersonville is roughly 95 miles and about 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes from Boone by car, longer from Banner Elk or Blowing Rock, and longer still with seasonal traffic on I-26 and the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. That distance makes Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards a full-day private excursion, ideally paired with Point Lookout or another Hendersonville-area stop to make the drive worthwhile. As of this writing, the winery’s posted hours run Sunday noon–6 p.m., Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–6 p.m., and Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., but hours, tasting fees and the live-music schedule change seasonally, so confirm directly with Saint Paul before you go — and check whether a ticketed or high-traffic event is scheduled the day you plan to visit.
Wine Tour Transportation to Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards
Ashe County Livery offers private, chauffeured wine tour transportation to Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards from Boone, Banner Elk, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson and across NC’s High Country. Our Saint Paul Mountain 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. Plan your Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards tour or call (336) 484-1350.
Other High Country wineries we serve: Point Lookout Vineyards & World’s Edge Meadery · Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cidery · Biltmore Winery — or browse every High Country winery, cidery and meadery we provide transportation to.
Explore More from Ashe County Livery
- High Country Wine Tours — Mountain winery shuttle service
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- Airport shuttles by town: Boone · Blowing Rock · Banner Elk · West Jefferson · Linville · Beech Mountain
- Ashe County Livery — Premium transportation in NC’s High Country
- 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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