Shelton Vineyards: North Carolina’s Largest Family-Owned Estate Winery in Dobson

Shelton Vineyards — The Crown Jewel of Yadkin Valley Wine Country

With 406 acres and approximately 200 acres of planted vines, Shelton Vineyards in Dobson, North Carolina, holds the distinction of being the largest family-owned estate winery in North Carolina. Founded by brothers Charlie and Ed Shelton in 1994 on land just miles from where they grew up, Shelton Vineyards has become the anchor of the Yadkin Valley wine region and a must-visit destination for anyone exploring North Carolina wine country.

The 33,000-square-foot winery building houses state-of-the-art winemaking equipment, a tasting room, and spaces for events — all set within a stunning landscape that mirrors the great wine regions of Europe.

The Wines of Shelton

Estate-Grown Excellence

Every wine at Shelton is grown, harvested, and bottled on site. Their estate wines showcase the best of Yadkin Valley terroir, with a portfolio spanning bold reds, crisp whites, and limited-edition blends. The Yadkin Valley AVA shares a similar climate and growing season to several renowned wine-growing regions in Europe, giving Shelton’s wines a character and depth that surprises many first-time visitors.

Chef-Inspired Dining

Shelton goes beyond tastings with chef-inspired dining experiences, wine-paired dinners, and seasonal food events. It’s one of the few Yadkin Valley wineries where you can enjoy a full culinary experience alongside your wine, making it ideal for an extended visit.

Events & Festivals

From wine-paired dinners and live music to seasonal festivals, Shelton has a year-round calendar of events. Their Southern hospitality approach means every visit feels like a special occasion.

Planning Your Visit to Shelton Vineyards

  • Address: 286 Cabernet Lane, Dobson, NC 27017
  • Region: Yadkin Valley AVA, near Mount Airy
  • Size: 406 acres, 200+ acres of vines, 33,000 sq ft winery
  • Amenities: Tasting room, tours, dining, events, gift shop
  • Best For: First-time Yadkin Valley visitors, couples, groups, wine club members
  • Pro Tip: Book a winery tour to see the full operation — at this scale, it’s impressive

Wine Tour Routes Featuring Shelton

Shelton’s Dobson location makes it a natural starting or ending point for Yadkin Valley wine tours:

  • The Grand Yadkin Tour: Shelton → JoLo → Raffaldini → Piccione
  • Dobson to Ronda: Shelton → Sotrio → Raffaldini
  • The Big Three: Shelton (largest) → Raffaldini (most Italian) → JoLo (finest dining)

Wine Tour Transportation to Shelton Vineyards

Shelton Vineyards is the kind of place where you want to take your time — explore the grounds, enjoy a tasting, have lunch, maybe buy a case. Don’t cut your visit short because someone has to drive. Ashe County Livery specializes in private wine tour transportation throughout the Yadkin Valley for groups of 2-14.

Book your Shelton Vineyards wine tour or call (336) 484-1350 to plan your day.


Explore More from Ashe County Livery

Ashe County Livery — Family-owned luxury transportation in North Carolina’s High Country. Learn more or call (336) 484-1350.

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