September is N.C. Wine & Grape month, a celebration of our almost 186 vineyards, we're looking at the OG of American winemaking – North Carolina.

DYK: The very first grapevine discovered in America was on Roanoke Island (on the Outer Banks), which is also the site of England’s first settlement in the New World? “The MotherVine,” was discovered in 1584. From there, the early colonies of Virginia + the Carolinas started making wine – Which is why the region is credited as the American roots of the winemaking.

With almost 200 N.C. wineries, and 15 within 50 miles of Asheville, the Carolina wine country is real. Plus, there are 5 N.C. official wine trails that feature a cluster of vineyards just a few minutes from each other (perfect of a bike + sip tour).

So, whether you’re mentally relaxing in an Adirondack chair with a Burntshirt Vineyards merlot slushy in hand (it’s better than it sounds) while at work, or you bookmark to plan for your next weekend – Here are wineries within 50 miles of Asheville to check out.

Biltmore | In Asheville

One Approach Rd., Asheville | 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. every day other than Saturday; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.| Free tour + tasting with the price of Biltmore ticket

Addison Farms Vineyard | 13 miles from Asheville

4005 New Leicester Hwy | Fri. -Sat. 12 p.m. -5 p.m.; Sun 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.; other days by appointment only | Open May - Nov. | $30 tastings + tour

Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards | 17 miles from Asheville

588 Chestnut Gap Rd, Hendersonville | Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. + Sunday noon – 6 | Bonus: They just opened a second tasting room in Flat Rock at 2698 C. Greenville Hwy. Open Wed. – Sun noon to 7 p.m.

Burntshirt Vineyards | 18 miles from Asheville

2695 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville | Sun. – Thurs. 12 – 6 p.m.; Fri. – Sat. 12 – 7 p.m. | $10 tastings + a daily tour at 2 p.m.

Parker-Binns Vineyard | 30 miles from Asheville

7382 NC-108 Mill Spring | Wed. – Fri. 12 – 6 p.m.; Sat. – Sun 12 – 8 pm. | Visit during Fall Fest on Oct. 27, and enjoy music from Mac Arnold and a Plate Full of Blues

Green Creek Winery | 34 miles from Asheville

413 Gilbert Rd., Columbus | Thurs. – Sun. 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Overmountain Vineyards | 35 miles from Asheville

2012 Sandy Plains Rd., Tryon N.C. | Wed., Thurs. + Sunday 12-6 p.m.; Noon – 7 p.m. Fri. + Sat. | $15 regular tasting, $40 elevated tasting + tour

Mountain Brooke Vineyards | 36 miles from Asheville

731 Phillips Dairy Rd, Tryon, NC | Mon., Wed. + Sun. 12 - 6 p.m.; Thurs. 12 - 7 p.m., Fri + Sat 12 - 8 p.m.| $10 tasting | Bonus: The FEI WEG Endurance Race will run right through the vineyard.

South Creek Vineyards & Winery | 38 miles from Asheville

2240 S Creek Rd, Nebo | Wed. – Su. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.| Catch live music every week.

Russian Chapel Hills Winery | 38 miles from Asheville

2662 Green Creek Dr., Columbus | Thurs. - Sun. 1 - 6 p.m. | Features a historic St. Anna Chapel on the land, which is a part of the eastern Diosease of the Russian Church Outside of Russia

Belle Nicho Winery | 38 miles from Asheville

525 Patton Valley Dr, Nebo | Fri. - Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. | Catch sip & paint classes here.

Silverfork Vineyard & Winery | 41 miles from Asheville

5000 Patton Rd. Morganton | Wed. - Fri. 12 -7 p.m.; Saturday + Sunday 12 -6 p.m. | Features a farm-to-fork restaurant on the weekends.

Linville Falls Winery | 42 miles from Asheville

9557 Linville Falls Hwy, Newland | Daily 12 - 6 p.m. | Visit during their Annual Grape Stomp or Honey Bee Festival.

Lake James Cellars | 44 miles from Asheville

204 E Main St, Glen Alpine | Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. | Housed in a historic textile mill building.

Deep Creek Winery | 48 miles from Asheville

405 Johnathan Walk, Bryson City | Wed. - Fri. 2 - 6 p.m.; Sat. 12 - 4 p.m. | Allows you to bring own food to enjoy with their wine.

Looking to turn it into a weekend trip? Learn about all N.C. wineries here.

If you’re a wine fan, I recommend you checking out the incredible website NCWine.Com, which includes a full, interactive directory of the state’s vineyards + wineries (which was a huge help in researching today’s feature).

Asheville also has some great wine bars including 5 Walnut, Sante, Battery Park Book Exchange, Rustic Grape, plēb, District + more. So, you can still get your vino on without having to drive any day of the week.

Since it’s Monday, we thought you might like to plan this week’s happy hour in advance. 😉 You’re welcome.

– Mary