18 Best Alabama Wineries

By VI Staff on November 12, 2019

Alabama has 11 bonded wineries and most are located in the central part near Birmingham. The climate of the northeastern region is good for growing grape vines, but throughout most of the state, the climate is hot and humid and not suitable. Most wines produced in the state are made from native grape varieties, such as muscadine and Norton, fruit wines from peach and blueberry, and French-American hybrids such as Chardonel and Chambourcin. Alabama's wineries are all part of the Alabama Wine Trail, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Alabama in spite of the fact that about one-third of Alabama's counties are dry.

1.Bryant Vineyard

Overlooking beautiful Lake Logan Martin in east-central Alabama, one of Alabama's most beautiful lakes, Bryant Vineyard is Alabama's oldest winery. They have been continually operating since 1965 when their first grapevines were planted on land that has been in their family since the mid-1800s. Today, the winery produces several award-winning Muscadine wines. Their winery and tasting room are located about 30 miles from Birmingham and 100 miles from Atlanta. They offer complimentary wine tasting on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The guests are also invited to pick their own fresh fruits or vegetables, including their World Hottest Ghost Chili Peppers.

1454 Griffitt Bend Rd, Talladega, AL 35160, Phone: 256-493-1260

2.Cat-n-Bird Winery

Located in the suburbs of Chelsea, in the basement of the owners Matt and Robyn Lyons’ house, Cat-n-Bird is a boutique winery that imports grapes and grape juice from different wine growing regions around the world. They use the fruits and juice to produce their own custom wines. They start the process with fermentation and then monitor the wine as it develops. They then bottle, cork, and label their wines before selling them from their tasting room. They use standard wine grapes such as chardonnay, cabernet and pinot grigio, instead of the muscadines used by most Alabama wineries. Their signature wines are La Rubia, a blend of Chardonnay, Riesling, and Viognier; and a blend of California Syrah, Cabernet, and Zinfandel called the Trinita Cremisi. Their tasting room is open every Saturday or by appointment for private tastings.

11661 Old Hwy 280, Chelsea, AL 35043, Phone: 205-610-9463

3.Corbin Farms Winery

Corbin Farms Winery is one of the oldest wineries in Alabama. Located on 5 acres of fertile farmland, Corbin Farms Winery produces and bottles a large range of wines from grapes grown in Alabama and other major American grape-growing regions such as Oregon, California, and Washington. They offer a guided tour of the winery and the surrounding grounds. The host and guide will share with visitors the stories about the winery and their wines. The guests are invited to visit Corbin’s charming bistro, where they will be offered delicious meals and desserts perfectly chosen to accompany their wines. The large patio is open on warm days, offering beautiful views of the vineyard and live music by local artists.

800 Co Rd 87, Calera, AL 35040, Phone: 205-685-0655

4.Fruithurst Winery Co

The Fruithurst Winery is located north of the town of Fruithurst and is surrounded by 15 acres of muscadine vineyards. It inherited the name from the original winery located on that location as well as the culture and elegance of a true vineyard village. The Fruithurst offers a full range of muscadine wines as well as other wines made from local fruits. All fruits used to make wines, including muscadines, peaches, and strawberries, are grown locally. Wines include red and white muscadine, blueberry, strawberry and peach wines, dry, sweet, and semi-sweet varieties. The Fruithurst Winery works together with Laminack Vineyards. The property also includes a small patch of strawberries.

27091 Co Rd 49, Fruithurst, AL 36262, Phone: 256-463-1003

5.Hidden Meadow Vineyard and Winery

Hidden Meadow Vineyard is a small family-run farm and winery in the town of Jemison, Alabama. The first grape vines were planted in 2005. With additional plantings, by 2010 they had planted a total of 4 acres of vineyard. Varieties include traditional muscadine grapes (Carlos, Noble and Magnolia), and Cynthiana. All wines are made on-site from grapes and other fruits grown on the premises and only at times are they acquired from other sources. They currently offer more than a dozen varieties of wines, from dry to dessert, which can be tasted in their tasting room. On warm days, the party moves outside to their lovely deck overlooking the vineyard.

664 Co Rd 606, Jemison, AL 35085, Phone: 205-688-4648

6.High Country Cellars

High Country Cellars is a winery located in Heflin, Alabama, about a 1-hour drive from Birmingham or Atlanta, on the slopes of Cheehahaw Mountain, part of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Range. They ferment, bottle, and sell their wines on the premises from the region’s finest vineyards and orchards, producing a diverse assortment of unique, custom-made wines. Their tasting room is open during the winery’s normal business hours, but private tastings and tours are available by appointment. They offer dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wines, but they also have chocolate and specialty wines. High Country Cellars also sells wine-making and beer-brewing supplies for those who want to start their own home operation.

849 Almon St, Heflin, AL 36264, Phone: 256-463-3456

7.Hodges Vineyards & Winery

Hodges Vineyards and Winery is located just a few minutes from Auburn, Auburn University, Lake Martin, and Opelika in east-central Alabama. The winery produces a large selection of muscadine grape and fruit wines, and much of the fruit is grown in its own vineyards. Most blueberries, apples, and blackberries for their fruit wines are imported from within the state of Alabama. Wines are bottled on-site. Visitors are invited to sample all varieties of Hodges wines in their elegant tasting room or outside under the pergola. They can take a stroll through the vineyards, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy with friends, and watch new plantings of Lenoir, Merlot, Norton, and Blanc du Bois grapes and Champanel vines.

230 Co Rd 71, Camp Hill, AL 36850, Phone: 256-896-4036

8.Jules J Berta Vineyards

Jules J. Berta Vineyards is located high on Sand Mountain in Albertville, Alabama, at an elevation of 1,100 feet, a few minutes from Lake Guntersville. The 28-acre farm is planted with 8 acres of vineyards. The high elevation and sandy soil create a unique condition for growing vinifera grapes. Jules J Berta is the first Alabama producer of this type of wine grapes. They grow Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petit Syrah, Sylvaner, and Blaufrankisch. Their wine tastings include wines from their estate-grown grapes, local sweet muscadine, and sweet fruit wines and are complemented with charcuterie baskets for trellis dining. They also sell home wine-making supplies and gift baskets and offer tours.

2, 1409 1, Darden Ave, Albertville, AL 35951, Phone: 256-891-5115

9.Lewis Lakes Vineyards

Lewis Lakes Vineyards is a family-owned operation with both the vineyard and winery located on their 60-acre farm located less than 2 miles north of Shelby County Courthouse in Columbiana, Alabama. Each phase of their wine-making process, from planting, growing, and nurturing vines to harvesting grapes, fermenting the juice, and bottling and selling their wines is strictly Alabama. Their wines are sold at the winery on Chelsea Road. The vineyards lie near picturesque Lake Michelle, which provides the water for the irrigation of the vineyards. Lewis Lakes invites visitors to sample their wines and take a tour of their beautiful vineyard. There are Adirondack chairs at different points on the grounds so that visitors can enjoy the sun setting over the vineyard.

1075 Chelsea Rd, Columbiana, AL 35051, Phone: 205-555-5555

10.Mad County Winery LLC

Mad County is a small family-owned distillery and a winery in Madison County Alabama known for their strong, 20 percent country fruit wines. Their unique wines have won a number of prestigious national awards. One of them is their apple wine made from Red Delicious apples, butterscotch, and a touch of cinnamon. Their small tasting room is a popular spot in Madison in part because of the owner, who is always ready to entertain guests with stories, and in part because of their original wines and spirits, especially rum. Their wines and spirits can be purchased only on the premises or in a few stores in Madison.

121 Castle Drive N.W., Bldg D, Madison, AL 35758, Phone: 256-864-7775

11.Maraella Winery and Vineyard

Located in the verdant foothills of the Appalachia Mountains, Maraella Estate Farm Vineyards & Winery is a family operation established in 2005 by the Lee family. Their wines are made from locally grown grapes and fruit. Their flagship wine is a cabernet sauvignon, estate-grown, produced, and bottled. This wine’s 2010 vintage has received gold and silver medals at the wine shows all over the country. Their 2012 cabernet sauvignon, 2013 Riesling, 2013 cabernet sauvignon as well as a dry white muscadine called Carlos have also won a number of gold and silver medals. Tours of the winery and wine tasting room are available daily.

5296 Old Us Highway 278 E, Hokes Bluff, AL 35903, Phone: 256-494-1000

12.Maria's Vineyard

Maria’s Vineyard is a working muscadine vineyard in Dothan, Alabama. All their muscadine vines are grown organically. At the heart of the vineyard is a beautiful Tuscan-style vineyard house with a bridal suite, banquet area, covered porches, jasmine-covered arbors, rose gardens, marble gazebo, and trickling fountains. Maria’s Vineyard is a popular venue not only for lavish weddings but also for superb birthday parties, receptions or any other big events. Even if you are not having any celebration, a visit to the vineyard during the summer and early fall is worth it just for enjoying the beauty of the vineyard, picking your own sweet grapes, or tasting their delicious wines.

3940 Fortner St, Dothan, AL 36305, Phone: 334-791-2514

13.Morgan Creek Vineyards

Morgan Creek Vineyards in Harpersville, Alabama, offers Minnesota-grown muscadine wines and artisan foods made from locally sourced ingredients in a lively European atmosphere. It is one of eleven wineries in the state and it is part of the Southern Minnesota/Northern Iowa Wine Trail. It is Minnesota's only underground winery. The underground earth shelter where the winery is located provides the perfect temperature for wine production and ageing. The romantic and inviting atmosphere is perfect for the tasting room and gift shop. The vineyard is known as a venue for a range of special events, such as a spring Bacchus Festival, a German wine tasting, and an annual grape stomp during the Octoberfest. The vineyard also includes the Wine Café and wood-fired gourmet food.

181 Morgan Creek Ln, Harpersville, AL 35078, Phone: 205-672-2053

14.Ozan Winery & Vineyard

Ozan Winery and Vineyard are located in the heart of Alabama's wine community, only a mile from Calera in Shelby County. The winery uses traditional viticulture practices, and both the vineyard and winery are open to the public. Their cellar and tasting room enjoy a view of the vineyards and all the activity as well as a spectacular sunset. Ozan's charming tasting room is designed in the European farm style, with classic stone walls and ceiling beams. The main feature is a wall of stone bottle racks imported from Europe. The winery’s Cafe Vino serves lunch six days a week.

173 Co Rd 301, Calera, AL 35040, Phone: 205-668-6926

15.Perdido Vineyards

Perdido Vineyards, plated with 50 acres of muscadine grapes, was established in 1972 by Jim and Marianne Eddins to grow grapes for Bartels Winery of Pensacola, Florida. Sweet muscadine was their first vintage of 1979, and it is today representing Alabama on exhibit at the California Wine Museum. Perdido Vineyards produces premium white, red, and rosé wines with the fruity taste of the Alabama native Scuppernong and muscadine grapes. Perdido Vineyards also produces high-quality apple wines made from Alabama apples. This modern 90,000-gallon winery uses cold fermentation and temperature controlled storage, ensuring the best quality table wines in the South. Perdido Vineyards wine labels are designed by local artists and represent local history and attractions.

22100 Co Rd 47, Perdido, AL 36562, Phone: 251-937-9463

16.South Ridge Wine

South Ridge Wine is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery located in Crenshaw County, Alabama. They produce a range of handmade wines made exclusively from grapes grown in their own vineyards. All grapes are hand-harvested and processed to make their South Ridge Wine. Their selection of wines is made from native muscadine, Black Spanish, Blanc DuBois or Lenoir grapes. There are currently five wines under South Ridge Wine label: Three reds and two whites. All wines are 100 percent pure juice, with no water added. The wine-producing equipment has been carefully selected and imported from the wine regions of Italy.

3297 Live Oak Rd, Luverne, AL 36049, Phone: 334-429-0572

17.Whippoorwill Vineyards

Whippoorwill Vineyards is a family owned and operated farm winery in Notasulga, Southeastern Alabama, about 20 minutes from Auburn and 40 minutes from Montgomery. It is the only winery in this region. Every operation in the vineyard is done by hand – harvesting, bottling, corking, sealing, and boxing of wines. Most of the vineyard was planted by 2005, and Whippoorwill became a fully operating winery in 2009. They now have a 15-acre vineyard with a large variety of grapes, allowing them to produce 11 types of wine, from sweet to dry. Visitors are invited to visit the winery and enjoy the rich flavors of their wines. They can also take a tour of the vineyard, visit the gift shop, pick their own grapes during the harvest season, and spend the night in their campground.

4282 Co Rd 31, Notasulga, AL 36866, Phone: 334-257-2711

18.Wills Creek Winery and Vineyards

Wills Creek Winery and Vineyards is located in Duck Springs, Alabama, with the vineyards nestled in the hills of the Duck Springs Valley, not far from the Duck Springs Wildlife Preserve. Wills Creek produces a range of muscadine wines, fruit wines from locally grown fruits, naturally flavored grape wines, specialty vinifera wines, and dessert wines. They also make jellies, candles, preserves, and gift baskets, which they sell in their gift shop. Visitors are invited to taste and purchase up to 20 varieties of wine. They can take a tour of the processing rooms, attend a wine-making class, purchase home wine and beer-making supplies, and have lunch on the winery’s beautiful deck or patio with spectacular views of the Duck Spring Nature Preserve.

10522 Duck Springs Rd, Attalla, AL 35954, Phone: 256-538-5452