Although it’s under 10 miles from downtown Hendersonville, Point Lookout Vineyards feels like a remote highland haven. Perched upon the southeastern flanks of Point Lookout Mountain, the winery delivers superb panoramic views. The vistas of lush forest and mountain knobs pair pretty darn well, needless to say, with an adult beverage.
And adult beverages are, of course, the primary offering at Point Lookout—well, after the views, anyway. The mountainside’s moderating breezes and orientation toward the morning sun provide fine grape-growing conditions.
Point Lookout Vineyards makes a nice little variety of wines, from dry and “off-dry” Rieslings to Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rosé. You’ll also find quite the selection of red blends, including some innovative formulations.
Wine isn’t the only libation produced up here: This is also the home base for World’s Edge Meadery. Based on fermented honey, Mead is among the oldest and most widespread of the world’s alcoholic beverages, enjoyed from East Asia to Northern Europe to Africa thousands of years ago.
At Point Lookout, you can sample many different meads, including a straight-shooting traditional style that serves as a good introduction. The World’s Edge label includes some more unique drinks, though—among them the ‘Masala’ Chai Tea Mead, whose flavor nods to Indian spices.
If this is your first visit to Point Lookout Vineyards, opt for a tasting flight. You can choose five wines and one mead to sample, or vice versa. That’s the best way to survey the territory here and increases the likelihood of finding something you might want a glass (or bottle) of. The servers tend to be good at making recommendations based on your palate.
There’s both indoor and outdoor seating at Point Lookout Vineyards, making for a year-round epicurean destination. Needless to say, so long as the weather’s cooperative, we recommend the al fresco approach. Whether you or not, you love your wine or mead; the panoramas usually give the flavor and mouthfeel a boost.
There’s a small menu of food offered, including cheese boards, Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese, and pizzas and flatbreads. On the weekends, there’s often a food truck parked at the winery as well. Furthermore, you can bring your eats and make a picnic of it, as long as you’re buying wine or mead. (Importantly, your designated driver and other non-drinkers in your party have their own beverage options, including several kinds of coffee drinks.)
The high-up atmosphere and extensive views explain the popularity of Point Lookout Vineyards as an event venue. The place is well set up for weddings and other soirées. So if you’re looking for a memorable setting in the Hendersonville area for such a happening, keep Point Lookout on your radar.
Let’s have a look at a couple of particular highlights from the Point Lookout Vineyards menu:
‘Sabrina’ Rosé
Point Lookout’s ‘Sabrina’ Rosé blends Blaufränkisch/Lemberger grapes with Cabernet Franc, ending up with a smooth, sweet, bright wine just about perfect for a summer afternoon in the Blue Ridge.
‘Cyser’ Mead
Hendersonville County is widely known for its apple production, which benefits from the region’s unique, highland-influenced climate. World Edge Meadery’s ‘Cyser’ honors that tradition in its blend of honey and apples, providing a nice crisp finish. It’s a thoughtful celebration of mead’s ancientness and Hendersonville County’s agricultural heritage.
Combo Cheese Board
Point Lookout offers several different cheese boards to go along with its wine and mead. The Combo Cheese Board is the most lavish, combining six kinds of sliced cheese with Italian Marinated Mozzarella Balls, Pimento Gouda Spread, olives, Artichoke Spinach Dip, and hummus along with salami, pepperoni, and crackers. Good bang for your buck!
Point Lookout Vineyards’ products may or may not be to your taste depending on your wine preferences. But this awesomely scenic place is worth checking out as one of the best places anywhere in North Carolina to enjoy a glass!
Insider Tips:
-Dogs are welcome outside at Point Lookout Vineyards as long as they’re well-behaved.
-Lots of weddings and other special events go down at Point Lookout Vineyards in a typical year. Don’t be surprised if one or another is going on when you visit, which may mean part of the property is closed off, and things are generally noisier and more bustling than usual. If you’d prefer avoiding that kind of experience, consider calling ahead to time your visit when an event’s not going on.