Details: Yadkin Valley Wine Trail in North Carolina

Guidebook author Diane Daniel recently followed the upper part of the Yadkin Valley Wine Trail. Here's her reporter's notebook.

DRIVE TIME

About six hours from the Beltway

COST

Lodging: $180 Wine tastings: $18

GETTING THERE

Elkin, N.C., is about 350 miles south of Washington. Take Interstate 66 west, then I-81 south, then I-77 south, to Exit 85. The closest large airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport, 80 miles south of Elkin; the smaller Piedmont Triad International Airport is about 65 miles southeast of Elkin.

WHERE TO STAY

The standout among area hotel chains is the new 84-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott (628 CC Camp Rd., off Exit 82 on Interstate 77, 336-353-2008, http://www.marriott.com), which sports eye-popping lime-green and black interiors and mod details. Rooms from $90. Closer to downtown is the Christian-oriented Home Coming Bed & Breakfast (608 N. Bridge St., 336-526-7770, http://www.homecominghouse.com), in a restored 1920s Arts and Crafts bungalow made of stone. Rooms from $109. Grassy Creek Vineyard offers Klondike Cabins (Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, 336-835-4230, http://www.grassycreekvineyard.com) on the property, from $150.

WHERE TO EAT

At Twenty One & Main Restaurant and Wine Bar (102 E. Main St., 336-835-6246, http://www.twentyoneandmain.com), juicy pork loin and roasted lamb are winners. Entrees $11-$24. Since 1924, locals have congregated at Royall's Soda Shoppe (128 W. Main St., 336-835-3412, http://www.royallssodashoppe.com), famous for its $3 chili dogs. For a countryside romantic setting and fine dining (or stone-oven pizza), visit the Kitchen at Elkin Creek (318 Elkin Creek Mill Rd., 336-526-5119, http://www.elkincreekvineyard.com), open Thursday-Sunday. Entrees $24-$33, pizza $13-$16.

WHAT TO DO