Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, Elizabethtown

Their grounds lying among pines and grapevines feature a variety of event venues, landscaped gardens and one of the largest Camellia exhibits in the state. Their guests find a lakeside amphitheater with tiered seating and a pavilion where they can plan weddings and ceremonies. Or they can organize corporate or social events there. In the restaurant, The Cork Room, with indoor and outdoor seating they can try southern beef, poultry, pork, and seafood, as well as harvest vegetables that pair with the house and estate wines. And if they wish to stay there a while longer, they may book a cottage to spend the night and ready themselves for more food and wine tasting.

Quick Look at the Wines:

• Tiger Swallowtail: named after the butterfly of North Carolina, it's a crisp medium-bodied white blend that pairs well with seafood, poultry, and cheese.
• Cape Fear Reserve Red: a dry earthy red wine with hints of spices and red cherry, great with steaks, pasta, or cheeses.
• The Cardinal: semi-dry red wine with aromas of plums, raisins, and dark chocolate, good with pasta, burgers, and barbeque.