Very Good Food
If you’re looking for a mid to high-end dining experience in Mt. Airy, Old North State Winery is a good option. The menu features sandwiches, flatbreads, burgers, tacos and quesadillas. Steak, seafood and pork chops are available too. I ordered a flatbread with shrimp, bacon, parmesan cheese and spinach. I was expecting a sandwich but got a pizza instead. My better half ordered the classic burger. The food was very good.
The wine tastings are very convenient — just a quick stroll across the restaurant to the bar. The service was not great. We lost our table next to the window during the wine tastings, and our waiter wasn’t very attentive. Fortunately, some of the other waitresses helped serve our table.
Varied Wine Tastings
They offer various types of wine tastings — premier, dry/semi-dry, sweet/semi-sweet and a wine flight. We tried the sweet/semi-sweet tasting. If you like Muscadine wines, you’ll likely enjoy this wine tasting, since it dominates the list. We preferred the Riesling and bought a couple bottles. It’s very different from other Rieslings we’ve had.
Ain’t Skeered
The winery has an interesting history. Built in 1890, the building was decimated in a Hatfield and McCoy type feud between business owners in Mt. Airy. Belk Department Store bought the building years later and found a skeletal arm in the basement. Yikes! Apparently the identity of the owner — of the arm, that is — was never discovered. Maybe Officer Fife should look into that. The bartender will tell you ghost stories regarding the owner — again, of the arm, but we didn’t believe a word of it. The cash register behind the bar did open of its own accord while we were there, but I’m sure that was just a coincidence.
Recommendation
Head out from Pilot’s Perch Cabin for lunch at Old North State Winery and a visit to Andy Griffith’s old stomping grounds.
Other Particulars
Location: 308 North Main Street, Mount Airy, North Carolina 27030
Restaurant hours: Mon – Thu 11 – 9; Fri – Sat 11 – 9; Sun 12 – 3
Bar hours: Mon – Thu 11 – 10; Fri – Sat 11 – Until; Sun 12 – 5
Website: oldnorthstatewinery.com
Open year round; call ahead for reservations
Phone number: 336.789.9463
