Banner Elk Winery marks the genesis of the wine tradition in the High Country of North Carolina as the first commercial winery built in Avery and Watauga counties. In July 2006, the age-old winemaking tradition officially made its debut in a corner of the New World previously overlooked for the craft.

The creations of Vintner Dr. Richard Wolfe pay tribute to the rugged mountain landscape and capture the delicate nuance and character of the fruit. Processing locally grown grapes into excellent wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the Appalachian Mountains, Dr. Wolfe provides guidance and encouragement to local farmers planting vineyards with the new French-American and American varieties of grapes. This fruit is hearty enough to survive the harsh winters of the High Country.

Located just north of Banner Elk, the winery is situated on a 25-year old blueberry farm.