A Sip of the Smokies: Eagle Fork Vineyards

Just off Highway 64, hiding 8 miles outside of downtown Hayesville, where the mountains cradle the sky and the streams sing through the valleys, lies a vineyard that feels like a secret worth sharing. Eagle Fork Vineyards isn’t just a place to taste wine, it’s a place to taste the land, the legacy, and the laughter of the Blue Ridge.

Under the care of vintner Stephen “Turtle” Vickers, this reimagined winery blends tradition with mountain magic. Each bottle is hand-crafted, aged with care, and poured with pride. Whether you’re savoring a bold Golden Eagle red aged in bourbon barrels or cooling off with a legendary wine slushie, every sip tells a story of resilience and craft.

Visitors rave about the warm hospitality, live music echoing from the covered porch, and the grazing tables that turn Sunday afternoons into celebrations. Dogs on leashes are welcome, and so are spontaneous picnics, gemstone hunts in Eagle Fork Creek, and weddings among the vines. Even just taking a quick stroll among the grape vines or being captivated by the clear, cold mountain air is encouraged for visitors.

It’s not just the wine, it’s the rhythm of the place. The misty mornings, the laughter under string lights, the way the mountains seem to lean in and listen. Come for an hour or a day, and you’ll leave with a memory aged to perfection.

---Payton Wimbish