September 29, 2026 (Raleigh, NC) — From mountain vineyards and apple country to the Sandhills and coastal plain, North Carolina’s craft beverage industry will be on display when the N.C. Wine, Cider and Mead Garden returns to the N.C. State Fair, Oct. 15-25.
Located in Heritage Circle near the Blacksmith Shop, the garden will offer fairgoers an opportunity to discover the diversity of wines, hard ciders and meads produced across the state. The lineup ranges from dry and traditional styles to sweet wines, muscadine wines, fruit-forward ciders and honey-based meads, proving there truly is “a taste for everyone.”
“We are thrilled to bring the N.C. Wine, Cider and Mead Garden back to Heritage Circle and give fairgoers another way to experience the incredible variety of products being made right here in North Carolina,” said Nicole Chesney, executive director of the N.C. Wine and Grape Council. “Heritage Circle is such a natural fit for this experience because it celebrates North Carolina craftsmanship and tradition. Whether you already have a favorite North Carolina wine, cider or mead or you’re trying one for the first time, the garden is a great place to meet our industry and discover something new.”
From grapes grown in the Piedmont and foothills to muscadines, mountain apples and North Carolina honey, the N.C. Wine, Cider and Mead Garden offers another way for fairgoers to support the farmers, growers and makers behind some of the state’s most distinctive beverages, offering fairgoers a chance to taste their way across the state without leaving the fairgrounds.
Participating wineries
- Parker-Binns Vineyard — Mill Spring
- Childress Vineyards — Lexington
- Sotrio Vineyards and Winery — Elkin
- Mountain Brook Vineyards — Tryon
- Duplin Winery — Rose Hill
- Curran Alexander Vineyards — Lexington
- Cypress Bend Vineyards — Wagram
- Carolina Heritage Vineyard & Winery — Elkin
- Uwharrie Vineyards & Winery — Albemarle
- Cauble Creek Vineyard — Salisbury
- Shadow Springs Vineyard — Hamptonville
- Tempest Cellars — Louisburg
- Biltmore Estate Winery — Asheville
- Adagio Vineyards — Elkin
- Haze Gray Vineyards — Dobson
- Tunnel Creek Vineyards — Roxboro
- Locklear Vineyard & Winery — Maxton
Participating cider producers
- Barndoor Ciderworks — Fairview
- James Creek Cider House — Cameron
- Bull City Ciderworks — Durham
- Molley Chomper Cider — Lansing
- Ment Beverage Co. — Durham
- Noble Cider — Asheville
- Round Peak Vineyards — Mount Airy
- Botanist & Barrel — Cedar Grove
- Black Mountain Cider + Mead — Black Mountain
- Flat Rock Cider Company — Hendersonville
- East Bower Cider Company — Raleigh
- Urban Orchard Cider Co. — Asheville
Participating mead producer
- Stardust Cellars — Wilkesboro
The 2026 N.C. State Fair runs Oct. 15-25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The N.C. Wine, Cider and Mead Garden will be open noon-10 p.m. daily, with Friday and Saturday hours extended until 10:30 p.m. Beverages are $15 per glass, with 6-ounce pours of wine and 10-ounce pours of cider or mead, with a limit of two beverages per person. For more information about North Carolina wine, cider and mead, visit ncwine.org.
