Our Story

Stony Knoll Vineyards is steeped in history, with roots running deep, much like the vines that now line our fields. This North Carolina Century Farm began back in 1896 when the ancestors of Kathy Coe bought a tract of land in Southern Surry County. The farm was a means of survival, in a time when nothing came easy. In the early 1940’s the vineyard area was cleared with hand tools and domesticated animals and put into cultivation. During this time, tobacco was the claimed cash crop. This caused an immense effort to care for the land and give back to it, much as it was giving to the family. Tobacco remained dominant until the early 1980’s. The farm remained in production, but switching from tobacco to cattle and hay. Then in the late 1990’s, Van Coe had a dream of putting the farm into a new cultivation, with the driving force being future preservation and continuation.

In April of 2001, 5.25 acres of grape vines lined the very landscape that had once been tobacco. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Niagara began establishing themselves, giving way to the tasting room and winery opening in 2004. Today, Stony Knoll Vineyards tends 10 acres of vines, with Merlot, Chambourcin, Viognier, Arandell, and Corot Noir being in addition to those previously mentioned. We strive to grow quality grapes, produce exquisite wines, and most of all, maintain the “cultural preserve” of our family farm and business.