Nestled between lush, picture-perfect rolling hills planted with grape vines sits Linville Falls Winery (https://www.linvillefallswinery.com/). Views from their expansive patio and indoor space take in those hills, as well as their Red Barn (Lawn Bar) and healthy, full of life pond.
The Red Barn is opened for overflow when the winery is especially busy, but with the expansive lawn, cozy seating groupings, and pond, I might just walk down to the lawn seating with my wine when they’re not that busy and the Lawn Bar isn’t open.
Their Website is informative and easy to navigate. You’ll find succinct information on just about whatever you want to know. Take flights, for instance.
Wine Flight: $12 for your choice of 4 wines, 2oz. of each & souvenir glass. Can be ordered at a table with a Wine Steward, or in the Red Barn on busy weekends
Can you bring your own food? The answer is yes, but if you want to get something there, they “source various locally made snack items.” It’s reasonable that they say “locally made snacks” rather than giving details because they might have to change them up as things are available or not. If you’re curious about what they might have on hand, I’ve included a picture of their “snack” cooler in the gallery. The day we were there we saw pre-made charcuterie boards, local goat & dairy cheese, homemade pimento cheese, packaged cured meats, water & other non-alcoholic drinks.
Looking like a something right out of Tuscany, the entire operation is family owned and operated. All staff we interacted with were welcoming and friendly.
What about the wine? Between us, we tasted:
- Cabernet Sauvignon, WA – Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Heavy Body | French Oak
Notes: Pepper, Cherry, VanillaAlcohol 13.50% - Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, WA – Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Heavy Body | French Oak 2 years
Aged 6 Additional Months in American Brandy Barrels
Notes: Tobacco, Oak, VanillaAlcohol 13.50% - Merlot, WA – Columbia Valley
Red | Dry | Medium Body | American Oak
Notes: Plum, Fig, BlackberryAlcohol 13.50% - Red Barn Blend, WA – Columbia Valley
“Big Red” | Dry | American Oak
Notes: Rustic, Tart Cherry, SpiceAlcohol 13.00% - Petit Verdot, NC – Yadkin Valley
Red | Dry | Light Body | American Oak
Notes: Pepper, Black CherryAlcohol 13.00% - Rosé, NC – Appalachian High Country
Blend | Semi-Dry
Notes: Strawberry, RaspberryAlcohol 12.00% - Mountain White, NC – Appalachian High Country
White Blend | Sweet
Notes: Pear, StonefruitAlcohol 12.00%
Everyone’s palate is different, but between the two Cabs, we both preferred the Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet. Other than the Cabs, he preferred the Red Barn Blend to the Petit Verdot. I didn’t care for the Rosé, thought the Merlot was okay, but took a bottle of the Mountain White home for porch sitting in warm weather. Our overall favorite was the Brandy Barrel Aged Cabernet.
Linville Falls Winery is slightly over an hour drive, much of it scenic, northeast of Asheville. When you go, tell them Carolina Epicurean sent you.
Linville Falls Winery
9557 Linville Falls Hwy. Linville Falls, NC 28647
Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 317
(828) 765-1400
