Thoughtful tourism in WNC: 4 guided wine tours to take now
WNC relief efforts include thoughtful tourism. Here’s how to visit mountain towns, support the service industry, and make a positive impact through wine tours.
After doom scrolling for days after Hurricane Helene hit our Western North Carolina region, many of us wondered how we could support the people affected by the devastation caused by wind damage and flooding. We soon learned this would be a long-term relief effort—months and perhaps years needed for towns to rebuild their infrastructure.
Immediate action came from many sources, and our North Carolina community stepped in with financial and in-kind donations and volunteer-driven projects.
Many pondered when they could return to their mountain places, view the skyline from atop a peak, or walk the streets of their favorite historic downtown. Some saw this line of thinking as insensitive, but areas that depend on tourism, such as Henderson County, considered it differently: 27% of sales tax collected in Henderson County is paid by visitors, and visitors pay 40% of sales tax collected by restaurants.
Thoughtful tourism: One way to help WNC
“The best way to help Hendersonville right now is to visit,” says Michelle Owens, executive director of the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. “An impromptu getaway can make a big difference. Employees at attractions, accommodations, and in the service industry need to get back to work to put food on their tables, stabilize their families, and repair their homes and cars.”
Owens offers these suggestions when traveling to Western North Carolina:
- Consider tipping a little extra because your servers most likely were out of work for a few weeks.
- Bring more cash than usual.
- If traveling in a group, carpool as much as possible.
- Pack an extra supply of patience as wait times may be longer, parking places might be taken up by work vehicles, and unexpected detours may arise.
- Add extra time to get from Point A to Point B.
- Resist the urge to see the damage and take pictures of it for social media.
With these suggestions in mind, a curated wine excursion through Henderson and Polk Counties in Western North Carolina’s wine country can assist recovery efforts and get you to this special part of our state.
Each of these touring companies offers customized itineraries based on guests’ interests. They offer door-to-door service and make reservations at wineries.
Fleets include sedans, SUVs, and vans to accommodate various group sizes. The drivers are familiar with what roads are open now and can take the guesswork out of driving through the mountain towns.
1. NC Wine Gals
NC Wine Gals schedules Friday and Saturday private wine tours for a variety of group sizes with set itineraries chosen from a preferred vineyard list.
2. The Regal Ride
The Regal Ride, based in Hendersonville and owned by Ann Young, a Hendersonville native, takes pride in personalizing an itinerary to fit the group. Young recommends vineyards to visit and where to eat and shop. If the group wants to stop at local breweries and distilleries, she will add it to the schedule.
3. The Trolley Company
The Trolley Company highlights the history of North Carolina wine through its private tours and the Blue Ridge Wine Tour, an all-day excursion every Saturday. Guests receive a copy of wine-tasting tips with 14 embarrassing questions you want to ask about wine but are afraid to ask.
4. Van in Black
Van in Black’s owner, Ryan Watts, recommends visiting vineyards during the winter months because sunsets are more visible, firepits are lit, and architectural lighting shines throughout the property. If interested, Watts will set up a meeting with the vineyard manager or winemaker for a Q-and-A.
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