In the rolling hills of North Carolina, just 20 minutes outside Winston-Salem, sits an award-winning winery with a unique twist. While sipping on whites, reds, and roses or exploring the tasting room, you’ll likely meet a new furry friend or two, making this quirky vineyard perfect for a Sunday Funday adventure.
Divine Llama Vineyards in East Bend, N.C., is home to 5 acres of vineyards and also doubles as a llama farm, with 20 acres of pastures for its llamas and miniature horses. Established in 2007 by two architects, Thomas Hughes and Michael West, the vineyard offers several varieties of wine, including Chardonel, Chardonnay, Traminette, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
But its wines aren’t the only award winners on the farm, as several of the vineyard’s llamas have taken home top prizes at local and national levels. In fact, several of the award-winning wines are named after the prized llamas such as the In a Heartbeat red blend and Red Rita Rose.
The vineyard and tasting room sits in the heart of the Yadkin Valley Appellation and boasts spectacular views of Pilot Mountain. Visitors in the spring and summer can book llama treks for a two-mile hike on the 77-acre property for an even better idea of the mountain and the vineyard.
Divine Llama Vineyards and its tasting room are open Fridays and Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It makes for a perfect day trip with friends and family, and the winery also hosts several events throughout the year.
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Address: 4126 Divine Llama Lane, East Bend, NC
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Phone: (336) 699-2525
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Hours: Friday- Saturday 12 p.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m. -5 PMor by appointment. Open on Saturdays and Sundays only from January – February.
