Wine with a mountain looking over your shoulder. Just five miles from Sugar Mountain, Grandfather Vineyard sits along the banks of the Watauga River beneath its namesake, Grandfather Mountain. At about 3,300 feet, the vineyard is part of the Appalachian High Country AVA, where elevation and mountain growing conditions help give the wines their distinctive character. Choose from several tasting options featuring dry, sweet, sparkling and dessert wines, then settle in by the river and let the afternoon slow down a little. The vineyard grows more than 10 grape varieties, including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Vidal Blanc. Dogs and children are welcome, and you can bring along a picnic. Finding a tasting room with a riverfront view? That’s sweet.

Come for the wine. Stay until sunset. Only about five miles from Sugar Mountain in Banner Elk, this is the original winery of North Carolina’s High Country. Its award-winning lineup ranges from dry reds and whites to blueberry and ice wines, with favorites including the Banner Elk Blend, Seyval Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a large tasting room for cooler days and an outdoor terrace and lawn made for lingering when the weather cooperates. Come for a tasting, find a spot overlooking the Blue Ridge and see why sometimes the best souvenir is the bottle you open again when you get home. Watching the sun set with a local vintage in hand? That’s sweet.

Take the scenic route to your last glass. Head about 16 miles from Sugar Mountain toward the Blue Ridge Parkway and you’ll find Linville Falls Winery tucked into a beautiful 40-acre farm and vineyard. Rows of grapes grow at roughly 3,200 feet, where cool nights and lower humidity help the fruit ripen slowly and develop bright flavors. The vineyard produces wines from grapes including Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Noiret and Marquette, along with wines made from farm-grown blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and apples. Pair a tasting with artisan cheeses, crackers and other snacks, bring a picnic, or time your visit for weekend live music offered May through October. Turning a vineyard tasting into a Blue Ridge road trip? That’s sweet.