Mayberry, music and moonshine
North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley offers range of attractions
As the birthplace of the Round Peak sound prized by aspiring artists from around the world, Yadkin Valley has been on the travel radar of old-time music lovers for quite some time. Factor in a tradition of stringed instrument production and a local luthier with skills so sought after he once put Eric Clapton himself on a three-year waiting list for a guitar, and it’s safe to say the music heritage of this place runs deep.
Then of course, there’s the moonshine. The ridge-running roots of the area’s distilling heritage are alive and kicking in the form of modern-day distilleries, specialty food items and more. Paddling opportunities, hiking and biking trails, a wine scene that’s starting to find its way and a serious farm-to-fork food scene add extensively to the destination’s vacation value.
Perhaps the most precious place to begin your exploration of this region is the town of Mount Airy. Childhood home of Andy Griffith and inspiration for the classic fictional television town Mayberry, this place is the quintessential example of authentic Americana and chockfull of charm. Spending time on Main Street is a must. Historic buildings, wagon rides, mountain music piped into the streets and more are sure to make you feel immersed in the experience.
If you happen to be there on a Saturday, head over to the historic Earle Theater. Home to the Old-time Music Heritage Hall, the theater also hosts live radio broadcasts of traditional area tunes every Saturday. Open to the public for $8 per person, the entry ticket also grants access to the Andy Griffith Museum.
A couple of casual lunch options exist on Main Street. Walker’s Soda Fountain offers hand-mixed soda flavors along with basic burgers and fries. Mam’s Eatery offers homespun food. If you’re in the mood for an upscale meal, Old North State Winery’s chef’s table experience is worth the throw down.
Those seeking sweet treats can go see Miss Angel. Owner of Heavenly Pies on Main Street and the farm where all the fruit for said goodies is grown, this sparkly little energy tornado whips up pies, baked goods and other yummies you can order served with a side of moonshine ice cream created at her creamery next door. She’s also a recommended stop on Surry County’s sonker trail. A fruit cobbler-like dessert so unique to this area there’s an entire driving trail devoted to showcasing places that offer it, sonker is a fun way to experience the actual flavor of the valley while visiting the various towns within it.
Regarding recommended day trips from Mount Airy proper, there a couple worth your time. JOLO winery in the town of Pilot Mountain offers some of the best wine in the area, along with live music on Sundays through midnovember. With their view of the mountain and outside seating area, it’s a great place to enjoy a high-end pour and groove out to local tunes. They occasionally do vertical tastings with gourmet food pairings that are also worth the splurge if your travel timing is right. Dobson is a scenic day drive and home to Rockford General Store, an authentic vintage market with homemade canned goods, retro candy and a fun vibe. They are also on the sonker trail, and offer indoor and outdoor seating. Open Wednesday through Sunday, it makes a great preliminary stop to an early dinner at Harvest Grill restaurant located at Shelton Vineyards, which is also in Dobson. Their glassed-in dining room with fireplace overlooks the vines and offers delectable higher-end fare with plenty of atmosphere. Menu items rotate seasonally.
When you are ready to start exploring the other end of the valley, switching your base camp to the Wilkesboro area makes a heck of a lot of sense. Home to Merlefest, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame and the W. Kerr Scott Reservoir popular with outdoor recreation enthusiasts, this midsized town with recently refurbished community amenities is strategically positioned for a thorough investigation of this portion of the area. Also, while the distilling traditions of Yadkin Valley are prevalent in the other towns you’ll visit, this is where the white lightning heritage really starts getting serious.
Call Family Distillers puts seven generations of experience into their moonshine, with facility tasting tours including a peek at some of the original souped-up shine-running cars from back in the day. This family’s heritage includes not only the famously uncatchable Willie Clay Call, but also the Reverend Dan Call, who taught the trade to Mr. Jack Daniels himself. Hard spirits fans will also want to stop at Copper Barrel. Located in an old furniture plant, their master moonshine distiller is a plain-speaking, overall-wearing bit of living history by the name of Buck Nance, who produces some seriously sensational hooch.
Those ready for a bit of driving adventure will want to make their way to Moravian Falls to search out the Holman Distillery. Departing from the local moonshine scene in favor of a freezing method known as jacking, which dates back to the colonial days, this rural facility is a nifty day trip for travelers who like exploring the back roads.
Wine scene more your speed? Make your way to Raffaldini Vineyards. A spectacular view, Italian-style villa and picturesque walking trails all serve as the backdrop for sipping some serious wines. As a fan of big reds, my favorite is the 2016 Il Falco, but their 2015 Grande Riserva is nice as well. They also have outdoor seating and picnic supplies available if you want to come with friends and enjoy a pour while taking in the countryside.