You may not know it, but the North Carolina High Country doubles as a ‘Wine Country’! Each of these wineries and vineyards have something different to offer from wine taste to atmosphere. As the weather starts to warm up, enjoy sipping an award-winning wine as you take in beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views. ( Psst, Mother’s Day is coming up!)

Wine with a View

Grandfather Vineyard and Winery

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery planted their first grapes in 2003 and opened its doors to the public in in 2011. Now producing 20 different wines, Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is the wonderful place to taste and find your favorite. In their tasting room, they offer a variety of both white and red dry wines as well as some sweet wines. Choose from one their 4 tastings (1/2 oz. pour of each) and you get to keep your Grandfather Vineyard wine glass as a memento! Current tastings include: 8 Dry Wines for $10, 4 Dry Reds for $6, 4 Dry Whites for $6, and 4 Sweet Wines for $6.

No reservation required! After your tasting, share a bottle of your favorite wine and walk through the vineyard or sit and relax by the creek. The serene location of Grandfather Vineyard & Winery offers a beautiful profile view of Grandfather Mountain. The grounds are dog friendly, but please keep them on a leash. The winery offers local cheeses, crackers, and snacks and you are welcome to bring your own outside food. Enjoy the atmosphere of this family-owned vineyard and winery and their vast variety of delicious wines!

Sip in the Hills

Banner Elk Winery & Villa

North of Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, you will find the beautiful Banner Elk Winery & Villa nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Many of their wines have won medals at international wine competitions in Sonoma County, California and regionally in Raleigh, North Carolina. For $10, you get to taste several of their current wines based on availability, harvest, and season in their beautiful tasting room. Then, enjoy a glass or a bottle of your favorite as you relax outside by the fire pit or creek. They offer chairs, benches, and picnic tables to sip and socialize, and sometimes there is even live music! The winery is also located on a historic blueberry farm and even offers blueberry picking to the public when it’s in season (usually late July to early August)!

If you feel like you never want to leave, book a stay in the Villa! The Villa offers eight gorgeous suites, all unique! Each suite features a king or queen sized bed adorned in luxurious linens and abundant pillows, private jacuzzi tubs and breathtaking mountain views from every window. Enjoy a glass of wine on the veranda and take in the refreshing air of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

The Sweeter Side of Wine

Linville Falls Winery

About 18 miles south of Banner Elk, you will come to the Linville Falls Winery. This 40 acre vineyard grow a variety of grapes which include Seyval Blanc, Noiret, Marquette, Petit Verdot, Marechal Foch, and their flagship grape, Riesling. They also grow blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, heirloom apples, pumpkins, and Christmas Trees throughout throughout the farm. This variety of growth makes for some interesting wines that other wineries do not offer such as the blueberry, strawberry, apple, cherry, and blackberry wines! So even if you’re not a wino, they probably have a fruity wine for you!

April through October the tasting room is open daily from 12-6 pm and tastings are $7. After you pick out your favorite, grab a glass or share a bottle and relax under a covered patio. Experience live music at the winery throughout the summer or check their calendar for events such as The Annual Grape Stomp and Honey Bee Festival!

A Mountaintop Wine Experience

Thistle Meadow Winery

Located about 18 miles east of West Jefferson, you have to hit the Thistle Meadow Winery in Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Thistle Meadow Winery is unique because they make wine in small batches from grapes grown around the world. At only $5 a tasting, you are able to taste up to 5 different wines! After the tasting, buy a glass of your favorite one and keep your glass as a souvenir. While sipping your distinctive wine, take a tour of the winery and get a “behind the scenes” look at the wine making process. Thistle Meadow Winery can even print custom labels for your wine to give as a gift and create a custom wine or blend that matches your specifications!

Our office pup Finn loves to have fun. Perhaps you have seen his “Fun with Finn” section of our monthly newsletter. Although most of Finn’s favorite things to do are of the outdoor adventure persuasion, he knows all the fun things to do in the NC High Country. So whether you are coming up to the area for a visit or live here and just looking to do something different -we have come up with 48 things to do in Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, Valle Crucis, Linville, and West Jefferson–all within 50 miles of each other!

48 Fun Things to do in the NC High Country

1. Stroll along Main Street in Downtown Blowing Rock visit local shops and stop by the famous Kilwin’s for chocolates, ice cream, handmade fudge & gift baskets!
2. Defy gravity at Mystery Hill on Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. This natural anomaly is certainly a mystery you have to experience to believe!
3. Next door, visit Doc’s Rocks Gem Mine to sift through a bucket of mine ore in running fresh water and find your own treasures! Afterwards, the friendly staff will sort through your findings to help you understand what you have found!
4. You can’t come up the mountain without visiting Tweetsie Railroad, a wild west theme park featuring the classic train adventure, various entertainment acts, and kid-friendly park rides!
5. Head on over to the Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm which has three pond sizes, each fully stocked with trout! Free equipment, tackle, and bait–you only pay for what you catch! No fishing license required and fun for all ages.
6. If it’s a hot Summer day in the High Country, head on over to The Robbin’s Pool at Broyhill Park in Blowing Rock! This is the only outdoor, public-use swimming pool in Watauga County. Day passes are $5 and there is a concession area for snacks and drinks.
7. “Experience America’s favorite drive” as you cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway! Along the way, discover overlook stops, hiking trails, lakes, and maybe even some local wildlife!
8. Take a tour of the 13,000 square foot Moses Cone Manor Estate right off the Blue Ridge Parkway. While you’re there, visit the Parkway Craft Center to view and purchase high quality handmade crafts!
9. Explore Grandfather Mountain’s famous mile high swinging bridge, see a variety of animals in the wildlife habitat, learn at the nature museum, and spoil your sweet tooth at the Fudge Shop! Don’t come up the mountain without visiting this billion year old site.
10. Visit the original Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, which opened way back in 1883! “Traversing its creaking floorboards, you’ll find country gourmet foods, cast iron cookware, speckleware, old-fashioned toys, footwear for all walks of life, hardware, and even a pair of galluses, if you need them.”
11. Get your adrenaline flowing and experience a canopy adventure with Sky Valley Zip Tours as you zipline through the trees in Boone!
12. As “North Carolina’s Oldest Travel Attraction,” visit The Blowing Rock for only $7! Learn about how it got its name and visit the observation deck for a phenomenal view!
13. If you’re in the mood for some shopping, head on over to Blowing Rock’s own Tanger Outlet Mall, Shoppes on the Parkway. This outlet features a variety of brand-name and designer stores which are always having sales!
14. If it’s college football season, head over to Kidd Brewer Stadium to catch an Appalachian State University football game! As Sun Belt Conference champions for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, you don’t want to miss watching the Mountaineers play at home.
15. Experience the High Country’s beautiful landscape at the Boone Golf Course, a public golf course that caters to the experienced golfer and beginners alike!
16. Get a birds eye view of downtown Boone from the top of the Rock Dimensions Climbing Tower at Footsloggers! Standing at about 40 feet, the tower has over 4000 square feet of varying climbing terrain and offers opportunities for beginners or seasoned veterans.
17. Located on the grounds of Tweetsie, discover High Gravity Adventures, an obstacle course where you can climb and swing through 75 different challenges at heights ranging from 15 to 50 feet off the ground!
18. Be entertained at the Horn in the West Revolutionary War Outdoor Drama right in the heart of Boone! The beautiful outdoor theater has shows almost everyday in the Summer months and go back in time at the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum on the grounds!
19. Looking for a river adventure? Wahoo’s is the High Country’s oldest rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing adventure company, located off of Highway 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock!
20. Feelin’ cheesy? Head over to the Ashe County Cheese Factory and Store in West Jefferson, North Carolina’s oldest and largest cheese manufacturer! Watch cheese being made in the factory viewing room and then shop cheese, fresh country butter, fudge, wine, and hand dipped ice cream at the store!
21. See inside a mountain at Linville Caverns, the only show cavern in North Carolina! Experienced guides take you into the subterranean world, giving you the history of the caverns and allowing you to view the grand work of nature, suitable for all ages!
22. Just a short drive from Downtown Boone, discover Howard Knob, a mountain overlook where you can look down at Boone and Appalachian State! There are many picnic tables at the top to enjoy lunch with a view!
23. Calling all wine lovers! Grandfather Mountain Vineyard and Winery has a tasting room where you can choose to sample 8 Dry Wines, 4 Dry Reds, 4 Dry Whites or 4 Sweet Wines! After tasting, share a bottle of your favorite and walk through the vineyards or sit and relax by the creek while viewing the profile of Grandfather Mountain.
24. Drink like a local at the Blowing Rock Brewery! Enjoy award winning rotating beers as well as a seasonal food menu for lunch and dinner!
25. The Banner Elk Winery is another crowd favorite! Taste several of their wines in their beautiful tasting room for only $10! If you feel like you never want to leave, book a stay in The Villa, a private retreat with luxury accommodations and beautiful scenery.
26. A popular destination off the Blue Ridge Parkway is Julian Price Memorial Park. Comprising more than 4,300 acres, including a small lake, the park offers many activities including hiking, fishing, canoeing, camping, guided walks, and evening campfire programs. The grounds include 100 picnic sites, so pack a lunch!
27. The Boone Greenway right in town is the perfect place to go for an easy walk or bike ride alongside the Southfork of the New River. Along the way there are many parks, fields, and stops with picnic tables and access to the river!
28. Head over to Sunrise Mountain Mini Golf on the hillside of Highway 105 right in town in Boone for some fun family competition!
29. The High Country Grizzlies are our very own professional indoor football team and a member of the American Arena League (AAL). Catch a game at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone!
30. Looking for things to do with the kids? The Children’s Playhouse in Boone offers flexible hours for open creative indoor/outdoor play as well as great classes for kids and adults!
31. During the winter months, go skiing or snowboarding at App Ski Mountain! This mountain offers 9 slopes at beginner, intermediate, and expert levels plus an outdoor ice skating rink! Also, check out the App Terrain Park which features rails, boxes, and ramps to practice your stunts!
32. With 17 trails, Beech Mountain Resort offers more skiing and snowboarding with tubing and ice skating as well! When you get tired, head over the Beech Mountain Brewing Company for a cold one. Even in the summer months, Beech Mountain’s 5506’ Skybar is open! Ride the lift up to the top and enjoy a cocktail and an incredible view.
33. Visit the Turchin Center For the Visual Arts in Downtown Boone on King Street for a taste of local art. Admission to the center is free, though donations are graciously accepted. The center features two wings and six galleries which are often changing!
34. Looking for an interesting challenge? Visit the Mysterium Escape Adventure in Downtown Boone and solve puzzles, seek out clues, and solve riddles to find your way out of these fun themed escape rooms!
35. You can’t come to the High Country without stopping by Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Cidery! Now packaged and distributed all over the state, there is a beer or cider here for everyone. Enjoy live music inside, a covered and heated porch, an outdoor bar, and cornhole and picnic tables! Furry friendly!
36. Only 45 minutes from Boone, discover Watauga Lake. With a variety of Cherokee National Forest facilities, including boat launches, picnicking, camping, swimming, and fishing for bluegill and bass, walleye, brown and rainbow trout, you can surely make a day of it!
37. Visit the The Daniel Boone Native Gardens, located near downtown Boone. The beautiful gardens contain an outstanding collection of native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Hundreds of plant varieties provide a progression of blooms throughout the growing season!
38. Who doesn’t love to go bowling? Visit Boone’s own 10 High Country Lanes! While you bowl, enjoy great food and drinks in a fun atmosphere.
39. Can you tell we love beer up here? Visit Flat Top Brewery in Banner Elk! Enjoy rotating craft brews while you play games like pool, giant Connect Four, shuffleboard, classic board games, and a pinball machine!
40. If you’re looking to relax outdoors, visit Broyhill Park in Blowing Rock! The park is a tranquil space with a fishing dock, a waterfront gazebo & a walking trail around Mayview Lake.
41. Want to channel your inner cowboy or cowgirl? Dutch Creek Trails offers guided Horseback Riding Tours in Valle Crucis and Vx3 Trail Rides offers tours in the beautiful Moses Cone Park!
42. Located in Historic Valle Crucis, visit the Jerky Outpost! Jerky selections include exotics such as Venison, Buffalo, Alligator and Elk just to name a few. Also check out their great selection of hot sauces, barbecue sauces and rubs, and popcorn.
43. To learn about the High Country’s history and appreciate American artists, visit the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum in Downtown Blowing Rock! Admission is only $7 for adults (FREE during the month of April) and exhibits frequently change!
44. June through December, the Ensemble Stage in Banner Elk, a 99-seat professional theater, presents plays that involve mystery, comedy, and drama!
45. If you need some furry therapy, head over the Watauga Humane Society to play with the High Country’s cutest puppies, dogs, kittens, cats, and bunnies!
46. The High Country is home to many talented artists. One Saturday each month May through October, Blowing Rock hosts Art in the Park. Discover handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more.
47. Another local art event worth checking out is the Downtown Boone Art Crawl, which happens the first Friday of every month. The art crawl is a wonderful opportunity to visit downtown galleries and businesses and enjoy art showings, refreshments, and live entertainment.
48. Finish off your day of fun at Booneshine Brewing Company in Boone. Connected to Basil’s Fresh Pasta and Deli, enjoy one of their craft brews and some pretzels and beer cheese or spaghetti and meatballs!

This list should keep you occupied all summer long, but if you find yourself lacking in social entertainment be sure to sign up for our Monthly Newsletter to see what local events Finn has found in “Fun with Finn”! The sign up is located at the bottom of this page! You can also see plenty of fun things to do in the NC High Country by visiting our High Country Life section of our website!

What is your favorite adventure or activity to do in the mountains? We would love to hear from you, please send us your ideas at Shalamar.Vincentproperties@gmail.com!

With March upon us, everyone is celebrating the luck of the Irish, but here in Appalachia and the North Carolina High Country, much of our agricultural, musical, craft, and storytelling heritage is influenced by Scots-Irish settlers. These settlers’ migratory history is based upon issues such as war, economic hardship, religious conflict, and the promise of a better life.

The Great Migration

The Scots-Irish migration to North America began at the end of the 17th century when word of the wonders of The New World reached Northern Ireland. 100,000 Scots-Irish embarked on a journey to North America, arrived along the Atlantic Coast, and then made their way into the western Appalachian Mountain region of the Carolinas and Tennessee. They brought with them their religion, folk traditions, and cultural traits which contributed to the distinctive cultural mix that developed in Southern Appalachia. Today, the Scotch-Irish influence continues to impact the people of western North Carolina.

Scots-Irish Influence Today

For instance, the origin of the nickname “hillbilly” has Scots-Irish roots. Scots-Irish who settled in Appalachia brought traditional music with them, and many songs concerned William, Prince of Orange, who defeated King James. Supporters of King William were often referred to as “Billy Boys,” and this nickname soon morphed into “hill-billies” in North America.

Perhaps the most recognizable cultural aspect of the Scots-Irish is the traditional Tartan. A Tartan is a woven cloth with a distinctive pattern, worn by distinguished Scotch and Scots-Irish clans. If you have some Scots-Irish heritage, you may find that your family’s tartan pattern is registered with the Tartan Authority!

Experience Our Heritage

If you’d like to experience Scots-Irish heritage first-hand, you’re in luck! The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games take place each year at MacRae Meadows. Experience Scottish music, dancing, foods, costumes, field games, and more. You can even buy your own Tartans and kilts at the vendors’ tents!

Visit and Learn more!

In the North Carolina High Country, visitors can learn more about the heritage of the Scots-Irish and other immigrants. Horn in the West outdoor drama and Hickory Ridge Homestead are right here in Boone, North Carolina!

As the nation’s longest-running Revolutionary War drama, Horn in the West is performed in the beautiful 35-acre Daniel Boone Park in Boone.
Horn in the West pays tribute to the courage and determination of the early settlers who came to the Blue Ridge Mountains seeking freedom and escape from British oppression. The story tells of the lives of these mountain people during the turbulent years of the Revolutionary War. A well-known character portrayed in the drama is Daniel Boone, for whom the town is named.
More than 1.4 million guests have seen Horn in the West since it opened in 1952. The script was written by Dr. Kermit Hunter, who also authored the original Cherokee drama Unto These Hills and 40 other historical productions.
Located on the grounds of Horn in the West lies the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum. The 18th-century museum gives visitors a feeling for the daily lives of early mountain settlers, as the staff dress in period clothing/costume. The museum strives to recreate the atmosphere of a small mountain community around the time of the Revolutionary War and offers demonstrations in fireside cooking, spinning, hand-sewing, blacksmithing and other crafts.
The 2018 season of Horn in the West outdoor drama runs June 22nd-August 11th, Tuesday through Sunday. The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum is currently open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday.

A Scene from Horn in the West. Photo taken from HornintheWest.com

Click Here  for more information about the Scots-Irish journey to Western North Carolina:

Click Here to for more information and to purchase tickets to the Horn in the West outdoor drama for the 2018 season!

Click Here to learn about other Mountain Heritage learning centers in North Carolina

DISCLAIMER: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.

Although it is hard to enjoy a true love of my life this time of year, the days are getting longer and I am constantly anticipating getting out on the links in the High Country. Golf in the High Country offers an abundance of exciting opportunities that allow you to explore and experience the true outdoor beauty of our area.  The variety is exceptional, with wonderful course layouts that invite the player that loves to walk and carry his bag, to challenging courses  that require the  skills of an experienced mountain golf cart aficionado (or mountain goat)!

Some of North Carolina’s finest public golf courses can be found in the High Country!

Right in our backyard: Boone Golf Club!

 Rated 4.5 stars in Golf Digest, Boone Golf Club offers a scenic course that is playable for beginners but also offers a challenge for “seasoned” golfers. In addition, a Pro Shop stocked with the latest fashion and equipment and a delicious Fairway Cafe with food provided by Boone’s famous Casa Rustica Restaurant.

A little further up the mountain, The Linville Golf Club

This course is open to the public if you are staying at Eseeola Lodge in Linville, North Carolina. As Golfweek’s #5 best course you can play in North Carolina, the Linville Golf Club designed by the famous Donald Ross has been challenging golfers since 1924. This 18-hole course was handcrafted around the land’s original contour and has never undergone major redesign, so the course remains authentically to Donald Ross’ design.

To the West: The Mountain Glen Golf Course

In Newland, North Carolina designed by notable golf course designer George Cobb, this course has never had to be changed in over 50 years.  “He strove to create attractive layouts that the average golfer would find enjoyable, not punishing.” In addition to the course, Mountain Glen offers a clubhouse with a stocked Golf Shop and grill–famous for their hamburgers and fries. Mountain Glen’s website even offers a virtual tour of each hole, so you can visualize what you might be getting in to!

A Tennessee Treat: Redtail Mountain Resort Golf Course

When leaving Boone and driving into Tennessee, you could encounter the Redtail Mountain Resort Golf Course in Mountain City, Tennessee. Designed by Dan Maples, this 18-hole course offers some of the most breathtaking scenery and invigorating shots you will find on any course. With 400 feet of elevation change, the beautifully maintained course provides any level of golfer a challenge.

You don’t have to drive very far to find a great day in the mountain air on any of these public courses!

However, if you enjoy a more private golfing experience and have friends in high places (no pun intended), you should experience the delight of one of Golf Digest’s top 100 courses, Grandfather Golf & Country Club. “Grandfather’s breathtaking location, diverse amenities, and core values continue to elevate our family experience. Charming homes and lifelong friendships are immediately evident, yet they are just the beginning of the Grandfather story.”, quoting their website. There is also Elk River and Diamond Creek in the Banner Elk area. And you can’t omit Hound Ears, Linville Ridge or Blowing Rock Country Club. Lastly, Beech Mountain and Sugar Mountain offer a fun golf getaway as well! 

Bottom line, there is a whole lot to love if golf is one of your sweethearts.   And you will be teeing it up sooner than you think!!!

DISCLAIMER! The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author’s employer, organization, committee or other group or individual.