Key Points
- City Scape Winery has beautiful views of the vineyards for your wine tasting. They offer both classic wine varietals as well as fruit wines made from peach, pineapple, and grape.
- Mountain Brook Vineyards is in nearby Tryon, NC, and hand crafts small-batch wines like Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Wellborn Winery is only 20 minutes away, in Traveler’s Rest, and consider themselves a small, craft winery.
Greenville, South Carolina, is a beautiful city right at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains offering a perfect combination of urban charm and natural beauty. The city is also home to some of the most exquisite wineries in the state, giving you the chance to taste a wide variety of wines while taking in the scenery of the mountains.
In this article, we will explore the top wineries in Greenville SC, where connoisseurs and novices alike can indulge in a perfect wine tasting experience. And if you’re into wine, don’t miss out on some of the great wineries in Blue Ridge, just a few hours away from Greenville.
There is also a lot to do in Greenville, but one of my favorites is the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 28-mile bike and walk trail that runs through downtown.
Quick Guide: Wineries Near Greenville
City Scape Winery
City Scape Winery is one of the most popular wineries in Greenville. The winery is owned and operated by Josh and Deb Jones, who have a passion for creating unique, handcrafted wines and a relaxing, peaceful atmosphere to enjoy them. All of their wines are 100% produced onsite at the winery and is no outside wines are used.
The tasting room at City Scape Winery is a warm and welcoming space, where visitors can sample the winery’s offerings while enjoying picturesque views of the vineyards. And if you visit be sure to stop by and say hello to Pinot the Pig, the winery’s official mascot and Director of Fun! Also be sure to check out their retaining pool, shaped like a wine bottle.
They produce a wide variety of red and white wines, including classics like Viognier, Cabernet, and Barrel-Aged Merlot. They also produce a variety of fun blends for the more casual drinker, like a Riesling fermented with fresh pineapple and Carolina Morning, a mixture of Peach and White Muscadine Grapes.
City Scape also hosts events throughout the year, including live music, wine and paint nights, and holiday celebrations. They even do oyster roasts on occasion!
Mountain Brook Vineyards
Nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tryon, North Carolina, Mountain Brook Vineyards is a family-owned and operated winery that offers a serene and intimate wine tasting experience.
The winery produces small-batch, handcrafted wines using grapes sourced from their 75-acre vineyard, as well as from other carefully selected vineyards in the region. Mountain Brook Vineyards is committed to creating fine wines that capture the essence of the terroir and showcase the unique characteristics of each grape variety.
Wines produced at Mountain Brook include sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, cabernet franc, petit verdot, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec. From these, they also produce Rose and several blends you can try out.
Take in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains while enjoying one of the winery’s award-winning wines. The tasting room is one of the largest in the Southeast and offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating, a fireplace, an outdoor fire pit, and a pavilion. They host regular events, including live music, food trucks, and sip and paint.
Small-Group Walking Tour in Greenville with Breakfast
See Greenville en route to several food stops and savor French-style crepes, biscuits and gravy; and mimosas; all as you hear tales on their history and ingredients you’d otherwise miss.
Wellborn Winery
Wellborn Winery is a boutique winery that specializes in producing small-batch, artisanal wines. They are located in Travelers Rest, about 20 minutes from downtown Greenville.
Owners Tony Beninati and Deborah Sikorah are dedicated to producing wines that match the unique climate and soil of the region. They consider Wellborn to be a garagiste, a French word given to small, craft wineries.
There are three different Vineyards at Wellborn: the South Vineyard, the Terrace Vineyard, and the Carriage House Vineyard. They produce some great wines, made with blends of French-American varietals less commonly found among wineries in the U.S. This includes Seyval Blanc, Traminette, and Chambourcin, which are then mixed with native American grapes like Muscadine, Concord, and Catawba to produce a unique flavor profile.
Eagle Mountain Winery
Eagle Mountain Winery is a 40-acre winery located in Travelers Rest, near the Wellborn Winery. It is run by top winemaker George Bursick, who produced the #1 wine in the world according to Wine Spectator, the top magazine of the wine industry. He uses estate grown wines and blends them with California grapes to produce some of the best wines South Carolina has to offer.
Eagle Mountain Winery grows a few classic grape varietals, like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is one of the few places in South Carolina where you can taste estate-produced wine with grapes from some of California’s most famous regions, like Napa, Sonoma, and the Russian River Valley.
Eagle Mountain is also home to some great food. Their estate restaurant, the Cork & Barrel, is a Southern Bistro serving up burgers, salads, pizzas, and more. The winery hosts special events, including Music on the Mountain, out on their patio, and is also available for private events. Their sculpture garden offers a space for local artisans to showcase their work, and you can take it in while sipping a glass and strolling the grounds.
Lazy Bear Winery
Lazy Bear Winery is a hidden gem on this list, offering a unique and laid-back wine tasting experience. The winery is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team, with help from their children, and are passionate about creating delicious, handcrafted wines.
Lazy Bear Winery specializes in berry and fruit wines, as well as traditional reds and whites. They converted the 1200 square foot shop on their property into the winery and are located in Dacusville, SC, near Easley.
Lazy Bear produces much of the fruit on their property and mixes it with locally sourced fruits. The tasting room at Lazy Bear Winery is a relaxed and inviting space, with a casual, rustic atmosphere that encourages guests to unwind and savor their wine tasting experience.
Victoria Valley Vineyards
Victoria Valley Vineyards is a 47-acre winery located in Cleveland, SC, just outside of Travelers Rest. Run by the Jayne family, Victoria Valley specializes in producing traditional European-style wines, such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. They have a unique White Merlot, which is a semi-sweet rose, that is a favorite. Many people also love their signature Table Rock Red, a red wine blend with hints of plum and a full body.
The terrace of Victoria Valley Vineyards is the perfect place to enjoy your wine while taking in the stunning views of the surrounding mountains. The tasting room is modeled after a French chateau and is complete with a gift shop and deli. Their deli has delicious paninis, boards, salads, and sweets you can indulge in. Their full lunch menu is open until 2:30PM. but small plates are open until the tasting room closes.
Cat’s Paw Winery
Cat’s Paw Winery is a boutique winery located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, about an hour and a half from Greenville and right outside of Charlotte. The winery is owned and operated by John Burks, who made wine for years for friends and family until it was so good they convinced him to open his own winery in 2016. He is committed to producing unique wines using all natural well water and real fruit juice, with none of the preservatives and other junk you’ll find in big box wines.
While he doesn’t grow his own grapes, John produces both whites and reds in small batches using grapes from all over to create signature blends. Their wine list includes classics like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Cat’s Paw also produces sweet and dessert wines made with other fruits, like berries and even pears.
The tasting room is a cozy and inviting space, featuring rustic wood accents and warm lighting that create a relaxed atmosphere for guests to savor the experience. Its 40 acres offers the perfect backdrop to enjoy your choice of alcoholic beverage. Enjoy it at the bar or on the patio, and be sure to pick up a complimentary bowl of freshly-popped popcorn while you’re there, or bring your own food to pair with it. Cat’s Paw also offers a good selection of cigars.
Overmountain Vineyards
Overmountain Vineyards is a family-owned and operated 70-acre winery located in the Tryon Foothills of North Carolina, just a short drive from Greenville. The winery specializes in crafting French-style wines and produces classic varietals, like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. They also produce a varietal called Petit Manseng, which hails from southwestern France.
In addition to wine, many people love their U-pick blueberry patch, open in the summer months of June and July. Another unique feature of Overmountain is their luxury villas, where you can spend the night surrounded by the vineyards. Both villas have two bedrooms and sleep up to four guests. They are fully furnished, with kitchens, utensils, and everything you need for a relaxing stay.
The tasting room is inside a cottage overlooking the vineyards grounds and has a beautiful patio, front porch seating, and an indoor bar, all to enjoy your favorite glass of wine and take in the scenery. The staff go out of the way to make both first-time and return visitors feel welcome and share their passion for and experience in the winemaking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Greenville SC is home to some of the most exquisite wineries in the state, offering visitors a perfect wine tasting experience. Whether you are a wine enthusiast or a novice, the wineries listed above provide a unique and authentic experience for all who visit. From the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the warm and welcoming tasting rooms, each winery offers something special and unforgettable.
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy more than one tasting in a day, be sure to check out Greenville Wine Tours. They tour many wineries in the area, including the ones on this list!
While you’re in the area, also be sure to check out the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a beautiful bike and walk only trail that connects Travelers Rest, Furman University, and Greenville.
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