There’s nothing better on a cold winter’s night than discovering a new favorite wine while sitting around a roaring fire in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Just a short drive from Asheville, visitors can taste local wines, tour production facilities, and even spend the night at a cottage in a vineyard. It’s an ideal way to spend an Asheville winter weekend.
Wines and Roaring Fires on an Asheville Winter Weekend
As winter kicks in, visiting a winery might not be the first activity on your mind, but did you know winter is often considered the perfect time to enjoy what winemakers have worked hard at producing all season? Sure, skiing is an option, but if you’re looking for a weekend of wine and wellness, there’s no better way to end a day than gazing at the amber glow of a firepit in the foothills of Asheville’s wine country. Simply come as you are and get ready for a wonderful evening. If you know what you like, order a glass. If you like exploring new possibilities, a tasting is the way to go.
Whatever you choose, the fire roars and people bundle together with friends to enjoy live music and small bites. Sometimes you’ll see food trucks and you can also bring your own food. As a lover of bold red wines, I’m a big fan of a wine flight at Mountain Brook paired with a picnic of crusty bread, cured meats, sharp fragrant cheese, and of course, a little chocolate.
With guaranteed early sunsets and the magic of a winery dressed in thousands of tiny lights against the backdrop of somber dark skies, visiting an Asheville area winery on a cold winter night is one of my most anticipated activities of the season. And if one winery isn’t enough, consider winery hopping with a luxury winery tour by Black Van Tours.
For those who cannot imagine sitting outdoors in winter, no matter how wonderful the fire is, here’s a secret: head for The Grove Park Inn. This is where presidents and visiting dignitaries go and it’s less than 30 minutes by car from downtown. And the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is amazing. But what’s extra fun is sitting in one of the many rocking chairs lined up in front of two massive stone fireplaces in the lodge-like great room, enjoying a glass of wine and the sound of crackling wood as the fire roars.
A Wellness Hub
Asheville is relatively small with only 92,000 residents but it draws over 4 million visitors each year. Its new age health-centric culture is a big reason why. With a moderate climate and easy accessibility from Asheville, Charlotte, and Greenville, SC airports, enjoying a wellness weekend is easier than you think.
What’s your malady? Asheville just might have your cure. Asheville as a wellness destination dates to the 1800s, when doctors began prescribing stays here for health purposes. It was the need for wellness by the Vanderbilt family that drew George Vanderbilt to the area and led to the building of his famed Biltmore Estate.
Today, the variety of wellness options is immense, and some luxury hotels even have a dedicated concierge who arranges wellness experiences. One of my favorites is the Urban Wellness Tour by Asheville Wellness Tours. It combines a visit to my favorite shop on my favorite street – Dobra Tea on Lexington – with a walking tour to see Art Deco buildings and browse little herb and honey shops. Throw in a little beginner yoga for good measure and you have the perfect itinerary. Of course, you can book a day at the spa or other therapeutic services yourself.
A weekend in Asheville will barely scratch the surface of the many wellness options- hot/cold therapy at a Nordic style bathhouse; a dip in a natural hot spring; holistic yoga retreats with hiking in the mountains. And you can’t forgo traditional day spas where luxury and pampering are just as important as the treatments. There really are experiences and budgets to fit everyone.
Wellness by day and wine by a roaring fire at night. Who can complain about that? If you’re looking for a winter weekend getaway, put Asheville on your radar.
The area code for Asheville is 828.
Where to Stay:
Windsor Boutique Hotel – Luxury apartment-like suites in the heart of the city, with full sitting areas and kitchens. Perfect for entertaining away from home. 36 Broadway Street, Asheville, 844-494-6376; www.windsorasheville.com
Asheville River Cabins – Twenty minutes from downtown, these rustic cabins along the French Broad River are a nice retreat after antique shopping and brewery touring. 55 Parkway Lane, Arden, NC, 828-684-9147; www.ashevillerivercabins.com
1889 White Gate Inn & Cottages – If a historic, Victorian B&B is more your style, Asheville’s Montford neighborhood is loaded with options. 173 E. Chestnut Street, Asheville, 828-253-2553; www.whitegate.net
Grove Park Inn – Go here for the best mountain views in Asheville. Sit on the patio or inside the great room. And don’t miss the subterranean spa. 290 Macon Avenue, Asheville, 828-252-2711; www.omnihotels.com
Where to Eat:
Zambra – Spanish/Moorish interior, dim lighting, great tapas and an impressive wine list. The name is a gypsy dance of celebration, and the vibe is just that. 85 W. Walnut St., Asheville, 828-232-1060; www.zambratapas.com
Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian – With a name like that you know you’re in for a treat. This is old school Italian, about as close to the Bronx or Jersey as it gets. 641 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 828-253-1077; www.vinniesitalian.com
12 Bones Smokehouse – A visit to Asheville isn’t complete without going to the River Arts District. While 12 Bones is a favorite for brisket, ribs, pulled pork and southern sides, the location is reason enough to visit. Breweries, working art studios, galleries, and over 10 restaurants and food trucks are set along the French Broad River. 5 Foundry Street, Asheville, 828-253-4499; www.12bones.com
Where to Drink:
Bouchon – Like Paris, except it’s Asheville. Famous for its French comfort food, Bouchon is also a perfect setting for cocktailing with French martinis, a Kir Royal, Parisienne Paloma, and Concombre Gimlet. Very cozy inside, with an alley turned patio outside that feels a bit like a secret hideaway. A must! 62 N. Lexington Avenue, Asheville, 828-350-1140; www.ashevillebouchon.com
Curate – Cocktails in a former 1927 bus depot? Why not? This place lives up to the hype with a creative cocktail menu, vermouth bar, and extensive tapas choices that pair nicely with the drinks. 13 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, 828-239-2946; www.katiebuttonrestaurants.com
Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge – A relaxed atmosphere in what feels like a vault for when you just wanna chill. 7 Rankin Avenue, Asheville, 828-254-4993; www.rankinvault.com
What to See & Do:
French Broad Chocolate Lounge – Has anyone ever left Asheville without a stop here? Don’t be surprised if you see a line around the door, but the liquid truffle is that good! 10 S. Pack Square Asheville, 828-252-4181; www.frenchbroadchocolate.com
Antiques District – An antique hunter’s paradise. Even if you don’t buy a thing the visual is enough. Start at Sweeten Creek Antiques and keep walking. 115 Sweeten Creek Road Asheville, 828-277-6170; www.sweetencreekantiques.com
LaZoom Tours – See more of Asheville than you thought possible on this comedy bus featuring live actors stationed throughout the city. Great way to learn some history and get a better understanding of the town. 72 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, 828-225-6932; www.lazoomtours.com
Brewery Tours – New Belgium offers free tours and lots of tastings. Even if you don’t like beer – go! 21 Craven Street Asheville, 828-333-6900; www.newbelgium.com
Mountain Brook Vineyards – A sommelier from Napa and a gorgeous vineyard in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Food trucks, live music, and a huge roaring firepit at night. 731 Phillips Dairy Road, Tryon, NC, 828-817-4376; www.moutainbrookvineyards.com
Burntshirt Vineyards – An award-winning winery with tasting room, gift shop, daily tours, cave-like barrel room, and a guest house you can rent. One of the larger producers in the area, where $10 buys a tasting of 7 wines and the engraved souvenir glass! 2695 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville, NC, 828-685-2402; www.burntshirtvineyards.com
Asheville Wellness Tours – Get acquainted with nature, see street art and architecture, taste local food products, practice yoga, hike or have a tarot card reading. Mobile massages can also be booked. One of the most popular tour operators in town with both private and group on offer. 828-407-0711; www.ashevillewellnesstours.com
Van in Black – The leading provider of wine tours in the Asheville, NC area. Safely visit any of the area wineries inside their large and comfortable Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. All tours are customized for each group. 800-903-2503; www.VanInBlack.com