MILL SPRING, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Wine lovers and food enthusiasts can experience some of North Carolina’s distinctive flavors in one place this fall, as Taste of NC brings together wineries, cider producers and local culinary talent for an evening of tasting and discovery.
Taste of NC Mill Spring will take place Friday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third floor of the International Building at Tryon International Equestrian Center, offering guests an opportunity to sample North Carolina wines and cider alongside dishes prepared by chefs and restaurants from the region.
Tickets are $85 per person and include wine and cider tastings as well as chef-led bites throughout the evening. The event is open to adults 21 and older, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
A taste of North Carolina’s wine country
The event will feature 17 North Carolina wineries and cider producers, giving attendees an opportunity to taste a wide variety of wines and styles from different parts of the state.
Participating producers include Parker-Binns Vineyard, Overmountain Vineyards, Johnson’s Legacy Vineyard, Biltmore Estate Wines, Addison Farms Vineyard, Souther Williams Vineyard, Sawyer Springs Vineyard, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, Mountain Brook Vineyards, Marked Tree Vineyard, FernCrest Winery, Shelton Vineyards, Linville Falls Winery, Curran Alexander Vineyards, Burntshirt Vineyard, My Sweet Love Vineyards and James Creek Cider House.
Many of the participating wineries are located in or near Western North Carolina, while others will bring wines from farther across the state. Together, they highlight the range of grapes, growing regions and wine styles being produced in North Carolina.
For guests, the event offers a convenient way to discover new wines, revisit familiar favorites and learn more about the producers behind each pour without traveling from vineyard to vineyard.
Local chefs bring the flavors
Wine is only half of the experience. Taste of NC will also highlight the creativity of regional chefs, restaurants, caterers and food businesses through a lineup of dishes paired with participating wines.
The food lineup will showcase the culinary talent of the region, with featured bites from Gertie Mae’s Restaurant, Silver Spoon Saloon, Campagna, Legends Grill, Blue Ginger Sushi, Roger’s Diner, Pony Express Deli, Boujee Bowls, Perk Up Cafe, Chef Heather Lawicki, The Parcel Exchange, The Relish, Toasted Cuban Food Truck, Huckleberry’s Artisanal Catering & Private Chef, Maiz Amor and The Vintner’s Table at Burntshirt.
Guests will be able to move throughout the event, tasting wines and ciders while sampling chef-created dishes designed to complement the beverages.
The pairing-focused format gives attendees an opportunity to explore how food and wine can bring out different flavors in one another, while discovering restaurants and culinary businesses they may want to visit again.
Celebrating North Carolina’s growing wine industry
For North Carolina wine enthusiasts, the evening also provides an opportunity to explore the diversity of the state’s wine industry in one location.
North Carolina is home to seven federally recognized American Viticultural Areas, including the Tryon Foothills AVA in Polk County, where the event will take place. The designation recognizes the area’s distinctive grape-growing conditions and adds another chapter to Western North Carolina’s winemaking history.
Across the state, differences in elevation, climate and soil contribute to a diverse wine landscape, from mountain vineyards to the Piedmont and coastal regions. North Carolina’s cider and mead producers add to that variety.
The Taste of NC concept is centered on bringing together the state’s wine and culinary communities and introducing consumers to the producers, chefs and businesses behind the products they enjoy.
For those in the 828, the Mill Spring event offers a chance to discover both familiar favorites and new producers while supporting North Carolina agriculture, hospitality and culinary businesses.
How to attend Taste of NC Mill Spring
Taste of NC Mill Spring will take place Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third floor of the International Building at Tryon International Equestrian Center, 25 International Boulevard in Mill Spring.
Tickets are $85 per person, with admission limited to guests 21 and older. Advance ticket purchases are required.
For event information, participating businesses and ticket purchases, visit the official Taste of NC event page.