When considering North Carolina, thoughts typically turn to its beautiful mountains, sleepy coastal towns, and creative urban areas, and while you may be considering a visit to experience one or all of those attributes, don’t miss out on one of the state’s best features: its wineries. Sipping while viewing the backdrop of rolling hills and green landscapes is breathtaking. It can instantly transport your thoughts towards Europe, as several of the state’s wineries drew inspiration from across the ocean.

Choosing a muscadine wine exposes your palate to a part of history, as what is believed to be the oldest cultivated grape still resides on Roanoke Island. The original plant, the Mother Vine, was first sighted in 1584, and its cuttings still produce muscadine grapes today. The state also boasts multiple wine trails, each offering its own take on varietals while all share a common bond—a love for North Carolina.

Whether you have a weekend to dedicate to an entire wine trail or an afternoon to sample, here are 10 North Carolina wineries to put on your list.

Addison Farms Vineyard

Close to Asheville, Addison Farms Vineyard is a petite family-owned vineyard with a couple—Jeff and Dianne Frisbee—at the helm. The property originally served as a tobacco farm, and Jeff is the fourth generation in his family to live and work on the property. At the same time, Dianne is a graphic designer who adds color and life to the bottle labels.

Visiting on a Saturday is a delight when you can reserve a winemaker’s tasting experience or take a tour. For an even more exclusive perk, join their wine club. It’s limited to just 50 members who receive two half-cases of wine annually.

Childress Vineyards

To find a glimpse of Tuscany within North Carolina’s borders, plan a trip to Lexington. Although the town is known for its pork barbecue, Childress Vineyards is one of six wineries seeking to add to the narrative. Founded in 2004 by NASCAR legend Richard Childress, the winery still has its original winemaker, Mark Friszolowski, taking the lead.

Whether searching for robust reds, chilled whites, or sweet muscadine wines, you can sip in their tasting room or experience a luxury wine tasting in their Victory Lounge. Visitors can also take an in-depth winery tour and grab lunch at their eatery that overlooks the vines.

Cloer Family Vineyards

Located about 20 minutes outside of Raleigh in Apex, Cloer Family Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery that has been producing wine since 1995. Founder Tom Cloer’s first introduction to winemaking was from his elderly neighbor, who eventually passed away and left all his equipment to Cloer. What started as a hobby turned into growing grapes and eventually starting a thriving business.

Visitors can see the process from start to finish—vineyards to bottled wine—and sip on Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and muscadine wines while on site. Another highlight is the winery’s events calendar, where you can learn a new craft or have dinner in the vineyard.

Duplin Winery

If the name Duplin Winery sounds familiar to Southerners, it’s for a good reason, as they have satellite tasting rooms in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Panama City Beach, Florida. However, their location in Rose Hill is where guests can have the most immersive experience.

Take a tour of the winemaking facility—the largest on the East Coast—and take home a bottle of fresh wine off the line. Of special note is their Mothervine Reserve wine, which is produced on the property from a cutting of the 400+-year-old Mother Vine, located in the town of Manteo on Roanoke Island.

Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery

With the promise of “great wines, great times, under Blue Ridge Mountain skies,” Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery is another family-owned and operated effort in North Carolina. Founded by in-laws—the Joneses and the von Drehles—in 2007, the vines on the 30 acres were carefully placed to optimize the quality of the fruit.

Lovers of aged wines will particularly enjoy the award-winning 2013 Steel & Stone and the 2014 Merlot Reserve, which took home the silver medal at the NC State Fair. On a sentimental note, the Chloe Hall building bears the name of their honorary assistant and beloved dog, Chloe, who had roamed the property and greeted visitors for over 14 years.

JOLO Winery and Vineyards

As a multi-generational, veteran-owned, family-operated winery, it only makes sense that JOLO Winery and Vineyards is a moniker for two sons, Joey and Logan. It’s also a place where you can enjoy time near Winston-Salem, eating and drinking in the foothills of Pilot Mountain. However, due to its popularity, making reservations for their tasting and dining options is required.

To delve deeper into a personalized wine experience, book one of their Cuvée tastings, where you can sample five different wines during an elegant four-course meal. The on-site restaurant, End Posts, serves brunch through dinner, so plan to spend the day at this stunning property.

Marked Tree Vineyard

When visiting Asheville, stop by Marked Tree Vineyard’s tasting room, but head 30 minutes south of the city to Flat Rock and enjoy a glass among the mountains. Inspired by the Native American custom of bending trees to serve as guideposts—hence, “marked tree”—the winery opened in 2015 and encourages others to sip and savor a new experience seven days a week.

From vineyard tours and wine festivals to intimate vintner gatherings, their events calendar always offers something new for wine lovers. Whether you want to slowly sip on a Petit Verdot or skip dessert and order rosé instead, this winery has something for every palate.

Raffaldini Vineyards

For an Italian winery experience from start to finish, plan a visit to Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda. Known as “Chianti in the Carolinas,” this family-owned vineyard only produces classic, dry Italian-style wines, such as red Sangiovese Classico, white Vermentino, and sparkling Auguir prosecco. The 102-acre estate is something to behold, with its fig and olive trees and gardens with roses and Italian herbs surrounded by views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

The on-site Italian villa houses Italian art, two tasting rooms, and balconies overlooking the property. There’s nothing quite like taking a tour of the vineyards followed by a picnic dinner in such a lovely setting.

Silver Coast Winery

Silver Coast Winery truly delivers if you want to sip varietals near the sea. Tucked into the quaint coastal area of the Brunswick Islands, you can venture to their winery in Ocean Isle Beach or head to their tasting room in Southport. No matter which location you visit, European-style varietals await.

Although the winery has changed hands since its opening in 2002, it has a long-standing tradition of being family-owned, with a woman at the helm. Both spots are open seven days a week, although the winery does close periodically to host events, so call beforehand if you’re heading inland.

Stone Ashe Vineyards

While many wineries pay homage to the beauty and tastes of Italy, Stone Ashe Vineyards’ inspiration was to replicate the feel of Bordeaux, France. Former dentists Craig and Tina Little followed their passion and found a second career as grape growers and winemakers. Their goal was to find a location in North Carolina that replicated the climate, soil, and steep slopes found in France. Not to be deterred, they searched for three years and settled on their current location with the ideal “stony ashe” soil, hence the name. Although their wines are top-notch—try their Coppedge Hill red blend—the true highlight is the tasting room with floor-to-ceiling windows.