Assorted array of JOLO wine bottles

About JOLO Winery & Vineyards

Did you know Pilot Mountain is one of the five oldest mountains in the United States—including Hawaii and Alaska? This billion-year-old landscape plays a vital role in the character and complexity of our wines.

Nestled in the picturesque, geologically ancient setting of Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, JOLO Winery & Vineyards is a testament to the passion and dedication of JW and Kristen Ray. Founded in 2010, JOLO was born from their vision of creating a multigenerational family legacy rooted in exceptional winemaking that reflects the distinct character of the Yadkin Valley’s unique, billion-year-old terroir. From the first vine planting, their journey has been defined by an unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and hospitality.

Named after their sons, Joey and Logan, JOLO has flourished into a premier wine destination, offering world-class, award-winning wines and unforgettable dining experiences at the nationally ranked End Posts Restaurant. The addition of the Tasting Lodge and restaurant in 2014, the acquisition of Hutton Vineyards in 2020—now serving as JOLO’s production facility—and the expansion with Rayson Winery & Vineyards in 2023, have all contributed to the winery’s continued growth and excellence.

At JOLO, every visit is designed to be extraordinary. Guests can enjoy curated tasting experiences, exquisite indoor and outdoor dining, and elegant private events in our newly renovated Event Center, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Pilot Mountain. As a veteran-owned, family-run business, JOLO is committed to delivering an unparalleled experience, ensuring every guest feels welcomed, valued, and part of our story.

Join us as we continue our journey of crafting world-class wines, celebrating community, and building a legacy that will endure for generations. Reservations are required to ensure each guest enjoys the best JOLO has to offer.

We welcome you to experience the world-class hospitality of JOLO Winery & Vineyards—where every sip tells a story.

A Note from the Ray’s

At JOLO Winery and Vineyards, we’re more than just a winery — we’re a family, dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences. From our vineyards to our wines, every detail is crafted with love, and we take pride in sharing that passion with you. Our sons, Joey and Logan, are at the heart of everything we do, and their names are proudly featured on every bottle as a symbol of the legacy we’re building.

Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where friends, family, and fellow wine lovers can come together, relax, and enjoy the simple joys of life. Whether you’re here for a wine tasting, a meal at JOLO EndPosts, or one of our special events, we hope you feel the warmth of our community. We can’t wait to share our story with you and make your visit to JOLO an experience to remember.

Warmly,
JW and Kristen Ray

Did You Know?!

The soil beneath JOLO Winery is more than 1 billion years old — making it geologically older than every major wine region in France, Italy, and California. That means when you sip JOLO wine, you’re tasting grapes rooted in some of the oldest exposed rock on Earth — even older than the Alps and the Atlantic Ocean!

EndPosts Restaurant

Indulge in a one-of-a-kind dining experience at End Posts Restaurant, where exceptional cuisine meets award-winning wines in a stunning setting. Our seasonal menu offers a perfect balance of contemporary and classic dishes, crafted from the finest local ingredients.

Whether you’re savoring a leisurely brunch or enjoying a romantic dinner, each dish is designed to pair perfectly with our wines and elevate your experience.

End Posts has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Brunch Spots in the US and Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the US by OpenTable and Most Beautiful Restaurant in North Carolina by LoveFood.

Terroir

Varieties we grow in order of acres under vine, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Cynthiana, Merlot, Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Marquette.

The fruit varietals being grown in JOLO vineyards have been carefully selected based upon the rain, sun, temperature and soil type found in and around the Yadkin Valley and of course, the capriciousness of the spring time weather here in the Yadkin Valley.

We predominantly grow Chambourcin and Cynthiana on our property, located at the base of the historically ancient Pilot Mountain—an area rich with quartzite steins deposited through over 800 million years of erosion. Chambourcin is used for our award-winning Crimson Creek and Cynthiana is used for our award-winning Pilot Fog.

As European winemakers learned throughout the centuries, certain varieties thrive in certain climates. When properly paired, they provide a mesmerizing terroir that can only be duplicated in that area, with that variety.

This isn’t just terroir. It’s time travel in a glass. With every pour, you’re tasting the story of a land that has weathered continents colliding and mountains rising — and now, it’s producing some of the finest wines in the United States.

Raise a glass to the ancient foothills and the Yadkin Valley. Raise a glass to JOLO!

Wine as Old as Time

The Ancient Terroir of JOLO Winery & Vineyards

Long before the hills of Tuscany or the valleys of Bordeaux gave rise to winemaking, the foothills of North Carolina were already telling a story — one etched not in vines, but in stone.

At JOLO Winery & Vineyards, our grapes are grown in soils that rest atop some of the oldest exposed rock formations on Earth. Parts of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont, including the Yadkin Valley where our vineyards flourish, trace their geologic roots back over 1.0 to 1.8 billion years. These rocks — part of the ancient Grenville basement complex — predate the Alps, the Andes, and even the Atlantic Ocean.

To put that in perspective:

– Burgundy’s limestone is around 150 million years old.

– Napa Valley’s terrain? Between 5–200 million.

– Tuscany’s soils emerged from the sea just 20–200 million years ago.

North Carolina’s foothills? They were ancient before most wine regions were even born. Not only does the iconic Pilot Mountain lend our landscape its signature silhouette, but it is also recognized as one of the five oldest mountains in the United States, even when factoring in geological giants from Alaska and Hawaii.

A Global Comparison

While many renowned wine regions grow from volcanic or sedimentary layers formed in more recent geologic eras, our terroir is defined by age, depth, and resilience. The stony soils near Pilot Mountain — a majestic quartzite peak formed over 750 million years ago — give our wines a distinct minerality and complexity that can’t be replicated.

Our grapes are harvested by hand, with the utmost respect for the land beneath our feet. We farm both onsite and across select nearby vineyards, carefully managing each vine in tune with the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of the land. Every cluster we pick is a product of a billion-year-old journey — nurtured by sunlight, shaped by time, and delivered to your glass with purpose.

A close up of a person holding Uncork magazine

Uncork JOLO Magazine

Your behind-the-scenes look at JOLO Winery and Vineyards, including insights into our winemaking process, new vintage releases, and the vision of our owners, JW and Kristen Ray.

More Information

Rayson Winery & Vineyards

JOLO’s Sister Winery in Mocksville, NC

As part of our family’s growing legacy, we’re proud to introduce our sister location, Rayson Winery & Vineyards, located in Mocksville, NC. At Rayson, we grow, harvest, and produce all our wines on-site, ensuring every bottle reflects the unique character of our terroir.

In 2024, Rayson opened Bistro Europa, a full-scale restaurant offering an elevated dining experience with stunning vineyard views from the Veranda Patio, two private dining rooms, and a Chef’s Counter Wine-Paired Dining Experience.

At Rayson, we believe that wine is best enjoyed with food and shared with those closest to your heart, which is why each wine is crafted to beautifully complement the exceptional dishes served at Bistro Europa.

Whether you’re exploring award-winning wines or hosting a special event, Rayson Winery promises an extraordinary experience of food, wine, and hospitality.

Visit Rayson Winery

Rayson dining room