Sip Happens in Kannapolis

What do you do with a long weekend? You pack the car, head to the Kannapolis area, and visit five new wineries, of course. 🍇

We turned three days into a full-on tasting tour — discovering new pours, meeting passionate owners, and adding five more stops to our North Carolina wine map. From crisp whites to bold reds (and maybe a sweet surprise or two), this weekend was all about exploring what local wine country has to offer.

Cauble Creek Vineyard

If you’re looking for a true boutique, family-run winery experience, this is it.We spent the afternoon at Cauble Creek Vineyard with owner William Yost, and it felt less like a tasting and more like sitting down with a friend who just happens to know a lot about wine.William walked us through a range of wines — from crisp dry whites and structured reds to sweeter selections crafted with North Carolina’s signature muscadine grapes. There’s something refreshing about a lineup that doesn’t try to be trendy — just authentic to the land and the region.

And speaking of muscadines…

We learned about the unique health benefits of the muscadine grape — higher antioxidants and resveratrol levels than many traditional wine grapes. It’s always fun when a tasting turns educational without feeling like a lecture.

Cauble Creek sits on family-owned farmland, and you can feel that legacy in everything they do. It’s not corporate. It’s not rushed. It’s personal. One of our favorite moments? A regular walked in, greeted William like family, and immediately grabbed a broom to help sweep salt off the porch. That tells you everything you need to know about the community here.

Even more fun — we discovered William knows someone we know well. The wine world (especially in NC) is smaller than you think, and we love those unexpected connections.

If your long weekend takes you near Kannapolis add Cauble Creek Vineyard to your list. It’s the kind of place where you come for a tasting… and leave feeling like part of the story.

Copper Leaf Farm and Vineyard

From our very first conversation with Dave, we knew this stop was going to be special. Anita and Arden greeted us as soon as we entered the beautifully designed, modern tasting room — warm, welcoming, and instantly comfortable. It set the tone for what turned into one of those experiences you talk about long after the weekend ends.

Dave isn’t just the co-owner and brewer — he’s also the chef behind the onsite Copper Leaf Pub. And yes, he prepared our lunch himself. They serve upscale pub food and pairing it with a full tasting flight made for the perfect start to our day. There’s something elevated about enjoying thoughtfully crafted food alongside locally sourced wines — it turns a tasting into an experience.

While Dave handles the brewing responsibilities, Anita handles all aspects of the wine production. We tasted everything — from whites to reds, and even their mulled wine (which would be incredible on a cool evening).

For now, Anita sources their grapes from North Carolina vineyards and utilizes a custom crush process — a smart way to build their wine program while their estate continues to grow. She is involved in every aspect of the process from production to labeling.

Their Concord is the signature wine of the property. Anita shared why this grape holds special meaning to their estate — and trust us, it’s worth asking her about when you visit. It adds a layer of heart to every glass.

The outdoor area is spacious and will absolutely shine when the weather warms up. We visited on a cooler day, so we stayed inside — enjoying our tasting, lunch, and the chance to hear Dave and Anita share their story.

This was more than just a winery stop. It felt intentional. Personal. Thoughtfully built. An incredible start to our day — and another reminder of why we love exploring North Carolina wine country.

Douglas Vineyards

Next stop on our long weekend winery run: Douglas Vineyards — and this one brought the energy.

We hung out with Todd, the winemaker, and got to hear about the wines straight from the source. There’s something about talking to the person actually crafting the bottles that makes every sip more interesting.

We stopped by later in the afternoon, and the place was buzzing. People were loading up cases for the weekend — always a good sign. When locals are stocking up, you know you’re in the right spot.

It was a cool day, so we cozied up inside the tasting room. But in the warmer months? Their outdoor space looks like the perfect place to split a bottle (or two 😉) and settle in for the afternoon.

Douglas Vineyards leans sweeter, with a wide range of fruit wines alongside their traditional offerings. If you love approachable, easy-drinking wines — especially something fun and fruit-forward — this is your place.It’s the kind of winery that feels social and lively. Less “quiet contemplation,” more “grab a bottle and stay awhile.”

Uwharrie Vineyards

When we pulled into Uwharrie Vineyards later in the afternoon, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a quiet tasting-room stop — it was a full-on event.They had vendors set up, food trucks rolling, and live music filling the air. The place was buzzing. Because of the crowd, tastings weren’t available — bottles and glasses only — but honestly, that fit the vibe perfectly.

We each grabbed a glass, found a spot, and settled in to enjoy the music and the energy.

Their wines lean sweeter, with a strong emphasis on fruit wines — approachable, easy to sip, and perfect for an outdoor festival setting. This is the kind of place where you’re not analyzing tannins… you’re clinking glasses and soaking in the atmosphere.

One of our favorite parts was walking through the market area. Handmade crafts, boutique clothing, local vendors — it felt like a winery meets small-town festival. There was something to sip, something to shop, and something to snack on at every turn.

Festive. Lively. Community-driven describe Uwharrie Vineyards perfectly It wasn’t about stuffy — it was about bringing people together. And sometimes that’s exactly what a long weekend winery run needs.

Stony Mountain Vineyards

We grabbed lunch and headed up the mountain for our first stop of the day — and even with gray skies and rain, Stony Mountain Vineyards delivered. Frank, our host, welcomed us in and made the cozy tasting room feel even warmer. On a cloudy, rainy day, it was the perfect setting — intimate, relaxed, and unhurried.

Their lineup ranges from dry varietals to a selection of fruit wines, offering something for every palate. We opted for a flight that leaned more toward the dry side but made sure to include two of their sweeter wines to round things out.

And then — a surprise I didn’t expect to see. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a Viognier, so I was genuinely excited to see it on the menu. There’s something about that floral, slightly lush character that feels both elegant and nostalgic. It was a standout moment in the flight.

While we couldn’t take advantage of the back deck because of the weather but, you could tell the views would be incredible on a clear day. This is absolutely a “come back when the sun is shining” kind of place.

Stony Mountain felt peaceful — a quiet start to the day before the energy picked up when the dancing started later in the afternoon.

Morgan Ridge Vineyards

The rain followed us as we made our way to our final winery of the weekend — but Morgan Ridge was the perfect place to wrap it all up.This was actually our second visit (our first was back in 2020), and it was fun to see it again with fresh eyes after a few years of exploring more of NC wine country.

One thing we always recommend here: make time for the onsite restaurant. Having a full dining option elevates the experience and makes it easy to turn a visit into an entire afternoon or evening.

We tasted their Chardonnay aged in Russian oak barrels — our first time experiencing that style. It’s always exciting when a winery introduces you to something new. Those little “firsts” are what keep wine adventures interesting.

There was live music during our visit, and while smaller tasting rooms can sometimes feel overwhelmed by sound, this one handled it beautifully. The space felt balanced — lively but still comfortable enough to enjoy conversation and the wine in your glass.

Even on a gray, rainy day, the property was stunning. You can tell that when the weather cooperates, this is the kind of place where you spread out with friends, open a bottle, and create memories that last long after the weekend ends.A beautiful way to close out our five-winery tour of the Kannapolis area.

Five stops. Rain and shine. Sweet and dry. Quiet and festive.

That’s what makes a Winey Friends long weekend worth every mile 🍷✨