Round Peak Vineyards
We stopped at Round Peak Vineyards for the first time. The drive was an easy one up I-77 with plenty of signage at exit 100 to the Yadkin Valley location. The winery sits about 1300 ft. in elevation in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on 13-acres of vineyards.
As soon as we got there, we discovered that Round Peak was dog-friendly, with a special fenced-in area to roam. We have posted the rules below.
Out in the back of the winery has a wonderful patio area. In the summer on Saturdays, everyone is encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy the sunset to live music (5-8 p.m.). For those interested in Disc Golf, Round Peak features an 18-hole course that runs through the vineyard. You can also bring your bikes and ride the vineyard or in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
During our visit, we tasted six wines, taking away two bottles of wines we enjoyed. Under the vineyard’s Skull Camp label was a wonderful Sangria. This semi-sweet red wine blended with apple and orange juices was extremely refreshing to the pallet we had to take home a bottle. Round Peak has their Sangria on tap, in the bottle, and even in cans. I tasted it out of the box, and it was just as good as the on tap sample.
Next was one of the vineyards Signature Series wines called Bent Door. This white wine is Traminette fermented on skins and aged in new oak. Again, a nice taste, not bitter or harnessed with an aftertaste on the tongue, but smooth and enjoyable to drink. We look forward to a meal on the patio with this vintage. So you know the Signature Series wines feature premium varietals selected by guest vintners, who create only a small quantity of the unique blends.
Postscript: We also made a stop at Old North State Winery. Sadly, we were disappointed in our visit. Located in the heart of downtown Mt. Airey in an old building, this business seems more restaurant than a winery. Upon entering the establishment, no one greeted us, not even to ask if we wanted lunch, and when we started looking at wines, the bartender was laser-focused on the two women having lunch at the bar. People were eating in the main area, but there was no waiting, or cashier or hostess. We stood around for a few minutes and left. The Old North State website makes the place sound wonderful, and Google features many positive reviews. We can only share what happened to us.