Savor the Legacy. Embrace the Future.
Shelton Vineyards has long been a gem of North Carolina wine country. Today, the second generation of the Shelton family proudly carries the torch honoring our deep roots while ushering in a bold new era of hospitality, innovation, and connection.
Located in the heart of the Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area, we grow a diverse selection of Vitis vinifera grapes ranging from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to Riesling and Petit Manseng. Our commitment to sustainable practices, combined with hands on craftsmanship and expert winemaking, has led to award-winning wines that truly reflect the character of our land. We invite you to explore, sip, and stay for a while. Shelton is more than a vineyard; it is legacy in motion.
The Vineyard
On the estate, several varieties of vitis vinifera grapes are grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, Tannat, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Manseng. Interestingly, all varieties of vitis vinifera grown at Shelton Vineyards–and throughout the world for that matter–utilize bud wood of European origin grafted onto Native American rootstocks to create a more disease resistant vine.
Our belief is that fine wine begins in the vineyard. The location, in the heart of North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley, provides the ideal climate and soil conditions. Shelton Vineyards’ commitment to sustainable farming practices and hands-on attention enables the vineyard to produce the highest possible quality of grapes. The Shelton Vineyards’ wines are reflective of the terroir of the Yadkin Valley. Along with expert winemaking techniques, enhancing what our land has given us, Shelton Vineyards has produced many award-winning wines.
Winemaking
Harvest Season
Harvest typically begins in late August, lasting approximately six to eight weeks. Deciding the exact moment the grapes should be picked takes into consideration many factors and measurements. The most obvious of these is the sugar level, or brix, of the grapes. Since it is this sugar that yeast will convert into alcohol, this measurement is very important. Deciding when to harvest is one of the most crucial steps, elevating wine making to an art form, not a mere industry.
Craft Meets Tradition in Every Barrel.
We age our wines using a blend of French, American, and Hungarian oak barrels to enhance structure and flavor. Our three temperature-controlled barrel rooms, partially built underground, give us the flexibility to fine-tune each vintage with precision.
Visitors can even glimpse the process in our barrel cave a quiet, atmospheric space that speaks to our old-world roots and meticulous craftsmanship.
Our Team
While the grapes are the building blocks of every bottle of Shelton Vineyards wine, our people are the mortar that holds us together. The expertise and experience of our production team are reflected in each of our wines.
In The News
Explore what’s happening behind the scenes at Shelton Vineyards, from award wines and seasonal recipes to vineyard updates and media highlights. Whether it’s a look at our winemaking process, a dish from Harvest Grill, or a story worth savoring, you’ll find it all here.