A Guide to Agritourism in the Triangle East Region of North Carolina
Right outside of the bustling Triangle, local farms provide a rural escape. From the largest muscadine vineyard in the state to a century-old family farm in Archer Lodge, agritourism offerings in the Triangle East region of North Carolina invite visitors to take part in deeply rooted agricultural traditions while making memories along the way.
Generations of Growth
At Pace Family Farms in Archer Lodge, a former tobacco farm made a recent transition into a thriving produce operation. For Michelle Pace Davis, a sixth-generation farmer, caretaking the land that has been in her family for over 100 years is a source of pride as well as humility.
“The generations before us have worked so hard for me to have this opportunity,” Davis says.
Along with her sister, Cara Pace Dunnavant, Davis planted the farm’s first strawberries in 2017. Pace Family Farms now offers a U-pick strawberry patch and community supported agriculture (CSA) boxes for over 300 customers in the region.
“The community was very supportive of us opening our farm up for locally grown, fresh produce,” Davis says. “That helped us transition the farm into the produce world.”
The strawberry patch is open to the public from mid-April through the end of May. In December, the Christmas Craft Fair brings together 70 local vendors selling artisan crafts alongside Pace Family Farms’ strawberry syrups, vinaigrettes, salsas and jams. For Davis, watching other families make memories on the farm makes her family’s hard work throughout the years worthwhile.
“Behind every farm is a family,” Davis says. “It’s really neat to be able to know whenever our customers walk in the door that this is their farm and we are their family. They’re able to trust us to grow healthy food for them.”
Carolina Vines
Triangle East is also home to another family-owned farm that happens to be the largest and oldest muscadine vineyard in the state. Starting as a small grape operation in the 1970s, Hinnant Family Vineyards now encompasses over 100 acres of grapevines, including a winery where visitors can sample from a wide selection of wines.
Hinnant Family Vineyards started as a family operation and remains one today; Willard Hinnant and his son, Bob, ran the vineyard together until Willard died in 2013, leaving Bob to carry on the tradition with support from the rest of the family.
Hinnant Family Vineyards has always included the public as part of its tradition; each harvest season, usually at the beginning of September, the vineyard opens to visitors who can pick muscadine grapes straight off the vine or purchase pre-picked grapes to take home. The sprawling vineyards provide a picturesque view for a day spent picking plump muscadine grapes.
After a day out in the fields, visitors can stop by the tasting room and enjoy a tasting experience accompanied by local jams, jellies and snacks from Ashe County Cheese.
Fun for All
Across the region, other local farms and markets offer even more agritourism experiences. The Wool Family Farm in Selma is home to Highland cattle, Nubian goats and Mangalitsa pigs. For an up close and personal experience with these friendly farm animals, visitors can try goat yoga or book a private farm tour.
At Crooked Row Produce in Selma, gardening supplies like mulch and hanging baskets are available alongside seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as Christmas trees in the winter months.
In the farms and vineyards of the Triangle East region, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained and well-fed throughout all seasons.
Get to Know the Triangle East
Want to learn more about living and working in Smithfield, Selma and the Triangle East region? Check out the latest edition of Livability Triangle East, North Carolina.