East Coast’s Finest Wineries & Vineyards that Wine Lovers Need to Know About

Article by Leilani Flint

Explore the 9 most renowned wineries and vineyards that the east coast has to offer. These destinations offer excellent prices and scenery in wine tourism, some of which may come as a surprise.

Boordy Vineyards (Hydes Maryland)

An excursion to Boordy Vineyards in Maryland is a must for any wine lover. The oldest vineyard and winery in Maryland is located in a fieldstone barn that dates back to the 19th century and hosts tastings. Spend the day visiting a vineyard that has received several accolades, including the Governor’s Cup in the state of Maryland, enjoying wine from the vineyard.

Boordy offers tours of its vineyards, barrel room, and winemaking facilities every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Boordy Chambourcin Merlot is the most popular wine to try. The beautiful outside space is perfect for hosting events such as birthday celebrations and weddings. Weekend concerts and summer farmer’s markets are just two examples of the many activities that take place here on a yearly basis in this region.

Linganore Winecellars (Mount Airy, Maryland)

Linganore Winecellars, situated on 230 acres, is the biggest and perhaps best winery in Maryland. From its hand-cranked beginnings, the winery has expanded to provide visitors with a wide range of experiences, including private tastings and vineyard tours. The shop is open from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12 p.m. on Sunday. While there aren’t any hotels in Linganore, there are a lot of places to spend the night nearby.

At Linganore, you may schedule private tastings, dessert tastings, and mixed tastings. These events can take place on the expansive patio or in the cozy chamber. With a table reserved beside the fire pit, you may sip wine while taking in the crisp winter air.

Wine tasting may be done in a lovely and peaceful setting in Linganore. The white and red evening wines, semisweet grape wines, and fruit and honey wines that are offered for sale at the vineyard go well with the cheese and charcuterie dishes. The Late Harvest Vidal White is a musttry for fans of sweet wine. In the taste profile, pears, vanilla, melon, and honeysuckle all make a presence.

Barboursville Vineyards (Barboursville Virgnia)

Wine lovers looking for a relaxing weekend getaway will find that the gorgeous Barboursville Vineyards, which are located in the rolling hills of Central Virginia roughly forty-five minutes northeast of Charlottesville, are the ideal destination. The 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup went to the Paxxito dessert wine from Barboursville, which was made in 2018. The Discoveries Tasting Room, Library 1821, and Palladio Restaurant are all wonderful venues to enjoy a glass (or bottle) of this wine or any of the other outstanding wines supplied.

Reserve a seat at Palladio and enjoy delicacies like veal ravioli, risotto with gorgonzola, and Maine lobster cake, all of which are inspired by the cuisine of kitchens in northern Italy and Virginia. See the neighboring historic Barboursville Ruins, one of Thomas Jefferson’s most well-known architectural achievements, if you’re in the area. They are located in close proximity to the vineyard.

King Family Vineyards (Crozet Virginia)

King Family Vineyards is a vineyard and winery in Crozet, Virginia. Having started making wine in the early 2000s, they have subsequently won several awards for the quality of their products. They sell their wine and provide tastings for visitors.

Wine tastings and polo matches are two more popular events hosted by King Family Vineyards. Visitors may partake in wine tastings year-round, and polo matches are held weekly on Sunday mornings. In addition, a 12acre polo field is available there. The majority of King’s wines were outstanding or very fine, particularly the Crose (rose), Meritage, Chardonnay, and Roseland (white blend).

Guests have the option of purchasing reserve wines in the Library Room, where they can also join in a wine tasting for a fee of ten dollars, which includes a flight of five different wines. Because it has such a large variety of goods, the gift shop is an excellent destination for purchasing a bottle of wine or an unusual keepsake as a present for a friend or family member. This is a wonderful place to come given its relaxed environment.

Windmilll Creek Vineyard and Winery (Berlin, Maryland)

At the historic Windmill Creek Vineyard & Winery, guests may enjoy a variety of activities, including wine tasting, live music, and delectable foods from a food truck called The Garden Grill. Not far from Berlin’s core business center and Ocean City is where you’ll find Windmill, a restaurant that welcomes both children and pets. On the weekends, the vineyard hosts wine tastings in addition to brunch, dinner, and live music performances.

The Winter Igloo Village Experience is an outdoor dining event that takes place in the early autumn under one of our heated igloo domes. Igloo restaurants offer a one-of-a-kind dining experience with a menu that is served in a fondue pot and includes an extensive selection of appetizers, main dishes, and desserts, in addition to alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. There is a limit of six people that can occupy this space at one time. Visit this beautiful small location in a local winery, and you will be treated to a meal that you won’t soon forget as well as an ambience that is truly one of a kind. Members of the Windmill Creek Wine Club will receive special perks such as discounts in the taproom, access to exclusive tasting events, and early access to limited-edition wines. There is a wide selection of excellent wines available, from traditional reds and whites to experimental fruit wines. An outstanding bottle of wine, some delicious appetizers, and a panoramic view of nature’s splendor are always a good time.

Adams County Winery (Orrtanna, Pennsylvania)

Adams County Winery in Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, has been producing wine since 1975, making it the fifth-oldest winery in the state. The Farm Winery is located on more than 75 picturesque acres surrounded by rolling hills and lush farms. The winery’s home, a bank barn, dates back to the 1860s and is a major historical site in Adams County. Our Tears of Gettysburg vintage debuted in 1988, making it one of Pennsylvania’s oldest wines. The winery has about 12.5 acres of vineyard space, and I’ve counted five different grape varietals growing here. It boasts a large selection of wines, both dry and sweet, as well as a lovely patio and high-quality wood-fired oven pizza.

Narcisi Winery (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania)

Narcisi Winery is an excellent alternative for individuals in western Pennsylvania seeking wineries on par with the best in the world. They have been in operation since 2001 and have a facility about 10 miles north of Pittsburgh.

In addition to a delectable menu that is heavily influenced by Italian cuisine, the Tuscan villa that serves as the location of the winery’s restaurant also features an extensive wine list that includes both well-known and lesser-known labels. Indulge in some delicious fare and refreshing beverages at this top-notch cafe while taking in the gorgeous scenery of the surrounding hills and landscape.

Private tastings and tours can be arranged throughout the weekends at the Narcisi Winery. Visitors will get an exclusive look at their production facilities and vineyards during the tours, followed by a sampling of six of their world-class wines.

Raffaldini Vineyards and Winery (Ronda, North Carolina)

Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery, one of North Carolina’s finest wineries and vineyards, is a must-visit for its exquisite dry wines. The Raffaldini family has been producing wine in Italy since antiquity. Raffaldini offers authentic Italian flavor approximately 75 minutes west of Charlotte, in a tasting area intended to resemble a Tuscan villa and featuring a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge and Brushy mountains. The winery specializes in wines of Italian provenance, and their vermentino and sangiovese are particularly noteworthy. Every September, Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery celebrates one of the largest Italian celebrations in the Southeast: The Fest Italiana.

As one of the finest wineries and vineyards in North Carolina, Raffaldini resembles a scene from Tuscany with its picture-perfect villa made of clay and stone in the region’s traditional architecture. Similar to the previous property, this one offers a view of a 42-acre vineyard and distant mountains. The expansive patio with additional outside seats will allow guests to relax with a glass of wine while observing the breathtaking scenery. Three of their most popular wines are Vermentino, Montepulciano, and Sangiovese. For lighter winer loves, pick a rose or Moscato d’Asti.

Banner Elk Winery (Banner Elk, North Carolina)

Banner Elk Winery has received a lot of accolades and is considered as the crown gem of North Carolina’s vineyards. Its close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains adds to the region’s magnificent landscape. The establishment’s names imply that it has both a vineyard and a villa, both of which are famous tourist destinations in North Carolina and beyond afield. The luxurious accommodations provide a variety of the finest wines from around the world. They produce a range of great wines independently, including Cabernet sauvignon, Seyval blanc, blueberry, and rose wine, to mention a few.

Tours of vineyards are provided for anybody interested in learning more about grape cultivation and harvesting. During a visit to the Banner Elk estate, visitors will also get the chance to shoot the stunning surrounding scenery, which includes the Pisgah National Forest, the Tennessee Valley, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.