Mayberry and Merlot in the Yadkin Valley

      Elkin, NC, USA

      P
      Patty
      • Email address verified
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      288 reviews
      Sep 18 - 19, 2019
      Group size: 24 - 46
      Mayberry and Merlot in the Yadkin Valley
      Elkin, NC, USA

      Patty
      • Email address verified
      • Facebook verified
      288 reviews

      Sep 18 - 19, 2019
      Group size: 24 - 46

      About this trip

      This mid-September overnight trip offers an exploration of North Carolina's small Yadkin and Surry County towns and wineries set in the shadows of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Day One is our winery touring day. The region is known for the clay-loam soil, cooler climate and an elevation that lends itself to world class wines.  The trip includes tours and tastings at several wineries.  Tasting experiences include French and Italian Vinifera, French-American Hybrids and even fortified wines.  The wineries that have been selected will suit both the seasoned wine aficionado as well as those that want to learn the basics of wines.  A special treat is the Murder Mystery Dinner at Shadow Springs Vineyard with characters such as Inspector Merlot and Madam Bordeaux leading the cast!


      The second day of the trip offers a visit to Mt Airy also known as everybody's favorite small town Mayberry.   Mt Airy may be small but it has a lot to do!  This is Andy Griffith's hometown and the Museum named for him offers a fun and nostalgic collection from the Andy Griffith Show, Matlock and more.  Additionally, you can learn about the lives of the famous Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker,  who were residents of Mt Airy during your visit to the Museum.   A "Squad Car" tour is also an option.  Where else can you have a private tour in Barney's car?  This tour is for a party of 5 or less and is priced at $40 per carload.  Led by a "local" the tour is 45 minutes of Mayberry highlights such as Floyd's Barber Shop,  the Snappy Lunch and the world's largest open faced quarry.  


      Simply strolling Main Street past famous landmarks such as the Historic Earle Theater along with browsing unique shops and antique malls is another way to enjoy time in Mt. Airy.   Care to try Sonker?  Several restaurants and bakeries in the town are on the Sonker Trail.  Sonker is a regional dish similar to cobbler.  Finally, if you are interested in tasting more wine, stop in the Olde North State Winery before we head eastward toward Compass Pointe.  


      What’s included

      • Coach transportation
      • Wine tastings
      • Box lunch
        Lunch at Raylen Winery
      • Dinner
        Murder Mystery Dinner at Shadow Springs Vineyard
      • Breakfast
      • Hotel
        Overnight accommodations at the Fairfield Inn & Suites
      • Tax & gratuities
      • Snacks & Water
        Snacks and water on the bus
      • Guide services
        Guide services by Patty

      Available Packages

      Double package price

      Are you and your friends interested in the optional Squad Car tour?  Since this is sold by the carload, ($40 for a carload of 5 passengers), send Patty an email at tripsbypatty@gmail.com for registration.  

      Pay and register for the optional Andy Griffith Museum here on the website.  

      $279
      Deposit: $100
      Single package

      Are you and your friends interested in the optional Squad Car tour?  Since this is sold by the carload, ($40 for a carload of 5 passengers), send Patty an email at tripsbypatty@gmail.com for registration.  

      Pay and register for the optional Andy Griffith Museum here on the website.  

      $334

      Available options



      Itinerary

      Mayberry and Merlot Trip
      Overnight trip to the Yadkin Valley

      Day One

      8am - Depart Compass Pointe

      Approx. noon - Lunch, tour and tasting at Raylen Vineyard & Winery

      1:30pm - Travel west to second winery, Shadow Springs Vineyard and Windsor Run Cellars - tour and tasting

      4:30pm -Check-in at hotel in Elkin

      7pm- Murder Mystery Dinner at Shadow Springs Vineyard

      Day Two 

      9am - Depart hotel

      9:45am - Arrive Mount Airy for a Meet & Greet from the Visitor Center

      Spend the morning exploring on your own.  There are shops to explore, regional food to experience, museums to visit and even an optional Squad Car tour!  Lunch on own before boarding the bus for Compass Pointe.  Patty will provide a list of lunch options.  

      2pm  Travel back east to the flat lands!  


      Your Organizer


      P
      Patty
      288 reviews
      I love to travel so in my partially retired life I decided to adapt my passion for travel along with 25 years of experience in Travel & Tourism to create Trips by Patty. I received a BA in American History from UNC-Chapel Hill. Not knowing what I was going to do with that degree, I started working as a desk clerk at a hotel in Raleigh. I enjoyed the hotel business and the career path began. Hotel operations and sales, Convention Center operations and marketing, destination marketing with a Convention Visitors Bureau and even a stint as a tour guide. What happened to the history degree? Well, many times when I am escorting my trips I share the history of the destinations we visit. It's a great feeling to take your career skills and adapt them to your own small business. I love what I do and hope you'll join me on a trip one day!

      Reviews

      We had a wonderful time and didn't realize this is the 10th year for this and would be interested in going again. Always vey organized and bus was new and beautiful.
      By Mary N for Layered Legacies and Art In Bloom at NC Museum of Art on Mar 23, 2024
      Enjoyed this so much. I appreciate your attention to detail for the trip. It introduced me to this wonderful museum.
      By Carol W for Layered Legacies and Art In Bloom at NC Museum of Art on Mar 22, 2024
      Wonderful time with Patty and driver Donnie. A great team. Wonderful passengers, made new friends and enjoyed the quilt exhibit the most.
      By Teresa J for Layered Legacies and Art In Bloom at NC Museum of Art on Mar 18, 2024
      Great trip. As always, Patty does a fantastic job. Brand new bus was very comfortable.
      By Elaine D for Layered Legacies and Art In Bloom at NC Museum of Art on Mar 18, 2024
      I had wonderful trip. The coach was comfortable and very clean. Patty was just a wealth of information. Thank you for a beautiful day out.
      By Janet Q for Layered Legacies and Art In Bloom at NC Museum of Art on Mar 17, 2024
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