The popularity of the local wine industry continues to age well. The High Country’s climate is near perfect for growing the grapes, and the vineyards themselves augment the beauty of the mountain scenery. In a new effort to literally grow the vine, the Boone Area Wine Trail has been formed.

One High Country winery is already winning awards and attracting fine wine aficionados. Add the High Country’s two new wineries, and you have a Boone Area Wine Trail with three sophisticated viticultural experiences.

Take this spectacular scenic loop of the High Country to visit the Grandfather Vineyard & Winery in Foscoe, Banner Elk Winery in Banner Elk, and The 1861 Farmhouse Restaurant & Winery in Valle Crucis.

Meet the vintners, tour the wineries, sample the wines—and take home a souvenir glass and a few bottles or more for later. There’s nothing like great wine and memories of the mountains to make a special meal even more so.

The wineries are producing a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir.

A Night to Remember:

Now in its 24th year, the symphony at Chetola in Blowing Rock is always one of the High Country’s most anticipated events, and this year was no exception. As the beautiful lake on the grounds of the Chetola Resort mirrored the extraordinary setting, people from all areas of the High Country filled the park, finding just the right spot to place their blankets and chairs in anticipation of the night’s events.

Many people strolled by the tents surrounding the lawn, where the creativity of the High Country was on display, as many compete for the top prize of best decorated tent. While others placed the contents of their picnic baskets on their blankets for easy access. This year, hot air balloon rides offered an additional beauty, as the colorful balloon gently lifted above the earth and just as softly returned again.

The evening’s festivities began as all rose to their feet for the Star Spangled Banner, and with each new arrangement the symphony played, the cool summer breezes of the mountains and the colors of the sunset seemed to allow each note, to gradually take its place in the night, and then slowly
dissolve, making room for the next.

As darkness filled the night, the symphony began to play its last arrangement, John Philip Sousa’s, Stars and Stripes Forever. As music filled the air, the night sky lit up with bursts of color in an amazing
fireworks display, one burst more exciting then the next. As the night closed, and the last note was gone, I believe all in attendance left with a sense of pride, knowing how lucky we are to live in a community where
uncommon beauty and cultural events are a consistent element, and the friendly faces of our neighbors are a reminder of what makes our community a place where many want to be. This…is High Country.

Average Summer High Temperature:

78 Degrees

Highest Temperature Recorded by

The National Weather Service on Grand Father Mountain:

83 Degrees in August

Average Temperature Differential Between

Asheville, N.C. and Boone, N.C.

10 Degrees Lower

Highest Point in Watauga County

Grand Father Mountain 5920 Feet

Highest Point in Avery County

Carvers Gap 6160 Feet

Approximate Population of Avery County

17,932

Approximate Population of Watauga County

45,479