When the summer season winds down and kids go back to school, the Outer Banks vibe takes a definite turn. Visitors are still here, but it’s a different kind of visitor who seem to be more relaxed and easygoing. It’s fall fishermen, surfers and the windsport types, families with young children, golfers, couples, retirees, nature lovers and birdwatchers, wedding parties, honeymooners and the like. These are people who seem less rushed and hurried to pack everything in. They seem to have more time to linger and relish their experiences.
For laidback types who have time to sip and savor, Outer Banks wine bars are the perfect place. Whether you’re sharing a bottle, sipping a glass or experiencing a tasting, these wine bars will welcome you with a fabulous selection and expert recommendations from friendly staff. Cheers! Santé! Salud! Slainte! Prost! Cin Cin!
Photo: Sanctuary Vineyards proves you can create delicious vinifera wines in a coastal area.
Sanctuary Vineyards
7005 Caratoke Highway, Jarvisburg
If you love wine, you have to go to Sanctuary Vineyards. About 20 minutes west of the beaches, this is a 30-acre working vineyard and winery making award-winning wines. Sanctuary has even named North Carolina Wine Grower of the Year. Don’t expect sweet wines. Sanctuary grows European and Californian vinifera varieties like Pinot Gris, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Sangiovese and many more, and these are wines for a sophisticated palate. You can visit their tasting room at or attend one of the regular events they host at the vineyards, including Acoustic Sunset Wine Down every Thursday evening. You can also take the Vineyard Voyage, a boat trip across the sound from Duck to the winery and back.
Wild Goose Wine Bar
793 Sunset Boulevard, Corolla
This cozy space in Timbuck II Shopping Village is perfectly situated to enjoy an afternoon beverage after shopping or before or after dinner. They have self-serve wine-tasting machines, or can order by the glass or bottle. Wild Goose offers occasional live music and trivia events.
Photo: Sweet T's deck under an old live oak is a popular place to gather outdoors in Duck.
Sweet T’s Coffee, Beer & Wine
1211 Duck Road, Duck
Sweet T’s, a longtime favorite in Duck, is known for its great selection of wines and the wine tastings they host throughout the year. The owner has a wealth of wine knowledge, and it’s a fun place to hang out, indoors or out, right in the heart of all the action in Duck.
Eventide
1190 Duck Road
Eventide offers a sip and sunset experience right along Duck Boardwalk. They have a great selection of wine thanks to their sommelier owner and a nice selection of cheeseboards and snacks. There’s live music here occasionally too.
Photo: TRiO in Kitty Hawk is known for its expert food and wine pairings.
TRiO Restaurant & Market
3708 N. Croatan Highway, Kitty Hawk
The Outer Banks’ OG wine bar, TRiO is known for its selection of wines by the glass and bottle, and its market has the most extensive selection of wines on the Outer Banks. TRiO offers restaurant seating, outdoor seating and lounge seating. The restaurant serves chef-prepared appetizers and meals.
NouVines
105 Budleigh Street, Manteo
NouVines is Downtown Manteo’s wine bar, and it’s a popular town gathering spot. The wine selection is great, and they offer charcuterie boards for snacks. NouVines has weekly events like music, trivia and paint-along parties.
Photo: NouVines in Manteo hosts a wide variety of events and community gatherings.
Cape Cork & Bottle
40530 N.C. Highway 12, Avon
Cape Cork & Bottle is Hatteras Island’s first wine and beer lounge From the owners of the hattiebuilt lifestyle brand, the bottle shop offers copious amounts of wine by the bottle or glass and gourmet snacks in an indoor lounge area and on the pet-friendly deck.
Zillie’s Island Pantry
538 Back Road, Ocracoke
Zillie’s is a wine and beer retail shop selling wines by the bottle and glass. Their pet-friendly patio/deck is an Ocracoke Island hotspot, where locals and visitors gather in the early afternoon and evening. They offer gourmet snacks and offer weekly wine tastings.
This is a list of popular gathering spots for winos, err, oenophiles and is certainly not a complete list of all the places you enjoy a fabulous glass of wine on the Outer Banks. Find a more complete list here. And for a list of restaurants with an exceptional wine list, click here.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
