North Alabama’s Scenic Wine Trail: A Fun Weekend Getaway!
Gather the girls and hit the road for a relaxing weekend exploring North Alabama’s Wine Country! Image: Facebook / Maraella Winery
Take a drive through North Alabama Wine Country, and you might forget you’re in the Deep South. Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, this scenic region is home to six wineries — with a seventh on the way. The wineries are close enough to visit several in one weekend trip, with stunning views all around.
Here, we’ll share an overview of each winery along the trail, plus a list of places to stay, eat, and explore in each region.
Before You Hit the Trail
The North Alabama Wine Trail has a fun digital passport you can download here. Not only does it help you keep track of the wineries you visit, but it also includes special offers to make each winery extra sweet. Plus, get a digital stamp for every winery, and you’ll receive a gift at the final winery of your journey — wherever that may be.
MID-EAST REGION
High Country Cellars
Location: Heflin, AL
More Info: highcountrycellars.com
Wines to try: Charred Cabernet Sauvignon, Sweet Orange Coffee blend, Sweet Jalapeno Blend
We start our trail on the outskirts of the Talladega National Forest at High Country Cellars in Heflin, Alabama. It’s a convenient midpoint between Atlanta and Birmingham (just a couple miles off the interstate) and a perfect meeting place for your wine trail weekend. While it offers a variety of classic sweet, semi-sweet, and dry wines, we recommend the signature charred wines, which are aged with charred oak for a unique, smoky flavor. Kick off the weekend with a tasting and tour at High Country before heading 20 minutes northeast to Fruithurst Winery Co.
Fruithurst Winery Co.
Location: Fruithurst, AL
More Info: thefruithurstwineryco.com
Wines to try: Gem-Sweet White Muscadine, Railroad Red-Sweet Muscadine, Dry Peach
The Fruithurst area of Alabama, which is east of the Choccolocco section of the Talladega National Forest and just shy of the Georgia border, boasts a rich history as an original vineyard region of the state. In its heyday, it was covered by 3,000 acres of orchards and a booming ‘vineyard village’ until Prohibition closed the last winery in the area in 1919. Cousins Josh and Dylan Laminack opened Fruithurst Winery Co. to honor the region’s legacy and keep the tradition of Alabama-grown Muscadine vines alive.
WHERE TO STAY
About 25 minutes from High Country Cellars, the gorgeous Hotel Finial is a Queen Anne Victorian mansion in Anniston, Alabama, and has been named the best small hotel in the state. Just 30 minutes south of High Country Cellars, you can also head to Chaeha State Park for the best of the Alabama outdoors. Chaeha offers cabins, A-frame chalets, and glamping tents for small groups, and its Bald Rock Lodge for up to 32 guests.
WHERE TO EAT
The Ark in Riverside, Alabama, is one of our top picks for rural restaurants just outside Birmingham, while Anniston is home to the flagship location of Top O’the River, a popular family-owned restaurant known for its catfish. Also in Anniston, Effina’s serves up great Italian cuisine and cocktails.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Visit the highest point in Alabama and check out the incredible views at Chaeha State Park. You can also knock out some shopping along the main streets in Anniston and Oxford.
NORTHEAST REGION
Maraella Winery
Location: Hokes Bluff, AL
More Info: maraella.com
Wines to try: Carol’s Semi-Dry White Muscadine, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Award-Winning Blueberry Wine
Maraella Winery is one of three vineyards in the Gadsden area. This portion of the trail can easily be enjoyed in a day, though there is so much to do in the area, you could make a weekend out of just this region! Maraella Winery was the first to bring Cabernet Sauvignon vines to the state, a task many claimed couldn’t be done due to the climate. At Maraella, they thrive. The winery places a major focus on family; the name “Maraella” even combines the names of the owner’s four granddaughters. The winery is open for tastings from Thursday through Saturday and by appointment only on Sundays.
Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery
Location: Attalla, AL
More Info: willscreekwinery.com
Wines to try: Bronze Muscadine, Noccalula Orange Sangria, Purple Muscadine
From Maraella Winery, it’s just a short 30-minute drive to Wills Creek Winery in Attalla. Wills Creek offers wine tastings out on its tranquil patio so you can take in gorgeous views of the vineyards and a natural spring-fed pond against a stunning backdrop of the Appalachian foothills (for the record, the indoor tasting room features the same views!) You can also enjoy a free winemaking class on the first Saturday of each month, and if you’re out on a Sunday, Wills Creek makes an excellent stop for brunch.
Jules J. Berta Vineyards
Location: Albertville, AL
More Info: julesjbertavineyards.com
Wines to try: Dixie Suga Blush Muscadine, Sylvaner Muller Thurgau, Black Widow Cabernet Franc
At 1,100 feet atop Sand Mountain, Jules J. Berta Vineyards boasts the most elevated vines in the state. It takes pride in being a family-run winery, and the Berta family handles every step of the process themselves. The hand-crafted wines reflect their passion and devotion and have earned several awards, including Alabama Winery of the Year. They also serve wood-fired pizza to pair perfectly with the wines and wine slushies, which you can enjoy on the patio!
WHERE TO STAY
The Secret Bed and Breakfast Lodge in Leesburg is a convenient and serene stay just outside the Maraella, Wills Creek, and Jules J. Berta wineries. If you are looking for a scenic spot with a lot of activities, Lake Guntersville is another great option for outdoor adventures and boutique shopping. Return to nature at the Restoration Log Cabins, ReTreet’s luxury glamping resort, or the cabins, chalets, and lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park.
WHERE TO EAT
Between Jules J. Berta and Wills Creek Winery, Bama Bucks is a steakhouse, wild game restaurant, and exotic animal park rolled into one fun excursion. Stop in for lunch or dinner and spot a ring-tailed lemur, kangaroo, camel, elk, and more.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Before you head to Jules J. Berta Winery, take the short, 15-minute drive down to Noccalula Falls in Gadsden, then enjoy a bit of shopping at downtown Gadsden’s charming boutiques.
NORTHWEST REGION
Sipsey Vineyard & Winery
Location: Double Springs, AL
More Info: sipseywine.com
Wines to try: Dei Vinea Red Blend, Blue Bridge Blueberry Moscato, Orange Ginger Cider
Sipsey Vineyard & Winery might be the most off-the-beaten-path winery along the North Alabama Wine Trail, but its location in the heart of the Bankhead National Forest makes it well worth the excursion. Named in honor of the Sipsey Wilderness, an area nicknamed ‘The Land of 1,000 Waterfalls,’ Sipsey Vineyard honors its surroundings by prioritizing conservation and sustainability in its production. You can visit the tasting room at the vineyard in Double Springs or a second location at the Flying Fifty Hotel in Cullman, Alabama.
WHERE STAY
The Flying Fifty is a luxury boutique hotel in Cullman, Alabama, and it just opened a Sipsey Vineyard tasting room.
WHERE TO EAT
In Cullman, head to 412 Public House for crafted cocktails and elevated American fare, or drive down to Jasper for a bite at Warehouse 3 Nineteen.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
Chase waterfalls throughout Bankhead National Forest, go on a ziplining adventure with Smith Lake Ziplines, explore the whimsical Ava Maria Grotto, or shop at JK Taylor or Southern Accents.
NORTH REGION
COMING SOON: La Famiglia Vineyards & Winery
Location: Toney, AL
More Info: lafamigliawinery.com
Wines to try: Dry White Verdelet, Specialty Sweet Black Velvet, Specialty Sweet Vigna Colada
La Famiglia will open in May, 2025. It’s a micro-farm winery focusing on American and French hybrid wines. Since it is located north of Huntsville, you can include this winery in your itinerary between Jules J. Berta Vineyards and Sipsey Vineyard. This will add roughly an hour of drive time to your trip, but there is so much to see and do! LaFamiglia will undoubtedly be a worthwhile addition to the trail.
WHERE TO STAY
The AC Hotel offers lovely park views in the heart of downtown. The 106 Jefferson is Huntsville’s first boutique hotel and even features a rooftop lounge.
WHERE TO EAT
Start the day with a Southern breakfast at Blue Plate Cafe, share a pizza at The Boot, snag a few appetizers at Rocket City Tavern for lunch, and end the night with an upscale dinner at Cotton Row.
WHERE TO EXPLORE
You could spend an entire day shopping the boutiques around Huntsville (Elitaire and In Bloom are a few of our favorites!), wandering through the art galleries at Lowe Mill (the largest privately owned arts facility in the U.S.), or strolling the immaculate streets of the Historic Twickenham District, which boasts the most extensive collection of pre-Civil War homes in the state.
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.