Shelton Vineyards

Location & Atmosphere: This is the largest family owned winery in North Carolina, and perhaps the largest vineyard on the east coast, located just off I-77 in the Yadkin Valley. The vineyards you drive through are extensive, and then you arrive at a beautiful, serene setting, with a creek and a lake meandering through the property. Also present is the Harvest Grill (an excellent full-service restaurant), a separate wine tasting and shopping building, and an additional venue for concerts, weddings, and other special occasions. All in all, a great vineyard setting.

The Wines: The wines cover the waterfront, in price and quality, ranging from some basic whites and reds to high end reserve
wines. The less expensive Madison Lee blended red and white, and the Bin 17 Chardonnay are good, but the Estate Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc are very good wines. For the less price-conscious, the reserve wines at Shelton are excellent. We understand that, at least in 2018, they are phasing out their reserve wines, and it remains to be seen if they will be resurrected. They also have sweet fruit wines, under the Salem Fork name.

Tastings/Tours: Tastings cost $10 for five non-reserve wines; $30 for the seven reserve or limited edition wines. The tours are very informative, given by knowledgeable guides, who walk you through the vineyard, and explain the history of the winery, and the barreling and aging process in their extensive cellars full of oak barrels. For about $700, you can purchase an oak barrel which is engraved with a plaque with your name, which is used for fermenting the wine; over the next four years, you receive 24 bottles of wine, concert tickets and tasting passes, and in the fifth year, you receive the empty barrel.

Other Amenities: Shelton has some of the greatest amenities of any winery in the state. The Harvest Grill Restaurant describes itself as providing “comfort food,” but the extensive menu includes shrimp, scallop and fresh fish items in addition to premium beef and rack of lamb. It also features meats and produce from local farms, all delivered with excellent service. In addition to their wines, which they sell at very reasonable (not typical restaurant) prices, they also carry local craft beers, and a number of wine infused cocktails. During spring, summer and fall, a regular schedule of full band concerts, with everything from top 40, beach music, and swing. Shelton is close to Exit 93 off of I-77, and owns the five-story Hampton Inn at that exit, which has its own wine bar, featuring Shelton Wines, of course!

Shopping: Shelton has an extensive shopping area of all things wine, including various jellies, jams and preserves, barbeque sauces, and other delights, many of which are made with wine. This is one of the most extensive shopping venues at any vineyard, located inside the tasting room of the winery, with aprons, plaques, tee shirts, and other gifts, all revolving around wine.

History:  Ed and Charley Shelton have been in the construction business since the 1970’s, as owners of Shelco Contractors, based in Charlotte. They converted the old family dairy farm in Surrey County to grape production, and Shelton Vineyards was born. In 2003, the Sheltons were instrumental in getting the Yadkin Valley named as a federally recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA). This has helped promote the entire Yadkin Valley as a great wine-growing region.

Controversy: In about 2015, tired of truckers parking their rigs overnight on the entrance and exit ramps of nearby Interstate 77 (where their Hampton Inn is located), they asked the Governor to do something about it. State troopers began aggressively ticketing the truckers, and a large number of truckers gave poor internet reviews to the Vineyard. We have no desire to get involved in this controversy, other than to explain why an otherwise solid winery has mixed reviews in Google and other ratings services.

Rating: Shelton Vineyards provides a top flight venue for visiting, tasting, touring, weddings, eating and concert listening. This winery has great wines and a beautiful setting in the rolling hills with a fabulous restaurant. Overall, this is a five-star experience not to be missed!