Combining scenic back roads, vineyard tours and wine tasting, historic accommodations, fine dining, and vigorous bicycling, this tour packs a lot into a quick two day vacation!

Local cyclists treasure the country roads of the Yadkin River Valley.  Rolling terrain with a backdrop of carefully tended fields of tobacco, corn, and grapes provides a setting that is rewarding and pleasurable. You'll quickly see why this area is one of the best-kept bicycling secrets in North Carolina.

Although North Carolina has long grown the world’s finest tobacco, changing times and legislative pressures have led local farmers to turn to wine grapes as an alternate crop. Grape growing and wine making have grown rapidly, with the latest count showing 350 vineyards and 61 wineries in North Carolina. The grapes cultivated in the Yadkin River Valley are typically European varietals, with some chardonnay and cabernet grown as well.  The Yadkin River Valley was named an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in December of 2002, the first AVA in North Carolina. 

Day 1:

We meet in downtown Winston-Salem by 9:30 a.m. After a brief meeting on bike safety and a short shuttle out of city traffic, we begin biking the more rural setting of the Yadkin River valley. The day includes a catered lunch overlooking the beautiful pastoral scenery dotted with grape vines and tobacco fields. We stop at one or more of the local wineries, learning the basics of wine making, before shuttling back to the inn in time for a wine and cheese reception. Afterwards, we dine at Meridian, one of Winston-Salem's finest establishments, and encourage you to walk the lamplit, cobblestone streets of historic Old Salem.

Day 2:

After breakfast, we shuttle out for our second day of biking in the Yadkin River Valley. We'll visit historic Rockford, now virtually a ghost town, except for its general store, which seems stuck in time.  We make time again to tour the local wineries and vineyards along our route, stopping for a picnic lunch prior to returning to the inn in the late afternoon to say goodbye.  Showers are available for guests at the inn.

Cycling:

The terrain on this tour is primarily rolling hills, with very few challenging climbs along the way. Route distances vary from 15 miles to 50 miles, with optional mileage add-ons. Flexible mileage is possible thanks to the support van. Should you tire or wish a shuttle ahead, simply hop in the van to catch a quick ride to the next vineyard along the way!  See the Cycling Miles section on our What to Expect page for more information.

Wineries:

We visit two wineries each day.  Each facility has a unique personality, reflecting the style and tastes of its owners.  The wineries range in scale from small "mom and pop" vineyards operating in old farm houses to large operations with modern facilities.  Each vineyard owner contributes a different perspective on the arts of viticulture and winemaking during our visits.

Depending on scheduling and time of year, we may visit any of the following wineries:
Hanover Park Vineyards, Westbend Vineyards, RayLen Vineyards, Windy Gap Vineyards, Rag Apple Lassie Vineyards, and Shelton Vineyards.  Each is in the Yadkin River Valley AVA.  You will get to taste some wines with which you may not be familiar, such as Viognier, Mourvedre, Chambourcin, as well as more common grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lodging:  The Brookstown Inn, a AAA Four Diamond Inn, is a converted textile mill tastefully appointed with Early American decor.  The Brookstown is located on the edge of historic Old Salem, a restored Moravian Settlement a short walk from downtown Winston-Salem. Restored buildings and exhibits along tree-lined streets make Old Salem a fascinating and pleasant experience.  You may add nights to your stay at the Brookstown for a special  rate available through Carolina Tailwinds.

"Combo" Opportunity:  This tour is scheduled within one day of other tours many times throughout the year.  If you are interested in a 6-8 day cycling vacation, combine it with an adjacently scheduled Blue Ridge Tour, Virginia Multi-Sport Tour, Ocracoke Tour, or Northern Outer Banks Tour.  An added discount will apply, and we will provide a free shuttle between the two tours.  Call us to discuss logistics.

Extend Your Stay:  We have a specially discounted rate at the Brookstown Inn if you would like to add a night(s) before or after the tour.

The Area:

Winston-Salem is a bustling city in the piedmont area of central North Carolina.  It has long been known as the City of the Arts, and is home to the NC School of the Arts, the Reynolda Museum of American Art,  the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, among many other offerings.  Downtown Winston-Salem is home to a live outdoor music event each Thursday, Friday and Saturday night May through September.  The city's Moravian heritage has been carefully preserved in Old Salem, where you can step into 1766 mere blocks from the office buildings of the modern city.   Winston-Salem is home to the Warthogs, the Class "A" affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is only 1-1/4 hours drive away.  Even closer are the state parks at Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain.  

Shopping is available in Winston-Salem's downtown arts district on Trade Street, the the boutique shops of Reynolda Village, and at Hanes Mall.  Furniture shoppers should make the short drive over to High Point, where furniture outlets feature all the famous brands.

Family Version:

As a "Family Tour," we include less wine, and of course none for minors.  We still visit one vineyard each day, where the adults are allowed to taste.  The beautiful scenery of the area and the quirky roadside attractions make this an entertaining adventure for families.  Once designated as a "Family Tour," it is open to minors age 13 and up if accompanied by an adult.  Tour dates can be so designated when a party that includes minors is the first to reserve the date.  See the green date box above to see if any dates are already designated for families.  Please call us soon if you are interested in any others.

Call 888.251.3206 (local number is 336.794.1054) or click here to make your reservation today!

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Carolina Tailwinds   P.O. Box 24716   Winston-Salem, NC 27114-4716   888.251.3206 or 336.794.1054
email: info@CarolinaTailwinds.com