Western North Carolina has earned its reputation as one of the country's great craft beverage destinations, and the good news for wheelchair users is that many of the region's most celebrated breweries and wineries have made real progress toward accessibility. Whether you use a manual chair, a motorized chair, or simply move at a slower pace, a relaxing afternoon of tastings and mountain views is well within reach. The welcome you receive once you arrive is rarely the obstacle. More often, the harder part is getting there comfortably and with your dignity intact.
That is where a little planning makes all the difference. This guide walks through three well-known Asheville-area spots that have invested in accessibility, then offers practical tips for a smooth visit.
Quick Summary
- Several of the Asheville area's most popular breweries and wineries are wheelchair accessible, including Sierra Nevada in Mills River, New Belgium in the River Arts District, and the Biltmore Winery in Antler Hill Village.
- Calling ahead about parking, ramps, accessible restrooms, and tour routes helps you match a venue to your specific mobility needs.
- Reliable door-to-door transportation removes the single biggest barrier to a great outing, letting you focus on the experience rather than the logistics.
- Loyal Lifts provides personalized, luxury transportation throughout Asheville and the surrounding communities for both residents and visitors.
Why Accessible Tasting Rooms Matter
A tasting room is about far more than the beverage in the glass. It is a place to gather with friends, mark a birthday or anniversary, and feel like a full participant in the social life of the community. For people living with limited mobility, those moments can become rare when transportation and venue access feel uncertain, and outings get postponed and then dropped altogether.
It does not have to be that way. The Asheville region has become noticeably more welcoming, and many local businesses now treat accessibility as a basic part of good hospitality rather than an afterthought. Pairing an accessible venue with dependable transportation gives you back the freedom to say yes to an invitation and to enjoy the day without worrying about every curb and threshold. That sense of true independence is something everyone deserves to keep.
Three Accessible Spots Worth the Trip
The following venues are favorites among locals and visitors, and each has taken meaningful steps to accommodate guests who use wheelchairs. Accessibility features can change, so it is always wise to confirm current details directly with the venue before your visit.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Mills River
Tucked into a wooded setting just south of Asheville, Sierra Nevada's East Coast home sits on a large, park-like property near Hendersonville. The taproom is spacious, the grounds are scenic, and the brewery is listed as wheelchair accessible with generous outdoor seating. A standout feature for visitors with mobility needs is the self-guided tour option, which lets you move through the brewing areas at your own pace rather than committing to a fixed walking group. The Back Porch and beer garden offer a comfortable place to take in forest views.
Because the property is large, planning your route from parking to the taproom in advance is helpful. The brewery is open daily, and arriving earlier generally means smaller crowds and easier navigation.
New Belgium Brewing, Asheville
Set along the French Broad River and parallel to the River Arts District, New Belgium's Asheville location is one of the city's most distinctive spots. The brewery is wheelchair accessible, with parking and entrance facilities available for guests with mobility impairments. Its Liquid Center tasting room and the deck perched above the river make for a memorable visit, and the relatively flat riverside setting is friendly for wheels.
New Belgium offers brewery tours as well, which can be a wonderful way to learn about the company's well-known sustainability practices. If you prefer a quieter experience, staff have historically suggested mid-week visits to avoid the busiest crowds, and calling ahead to confirm the accessibility of a specific tour route is always a smart step.
Biltmore Winery, Antler Hill Village
For visitors who want wine rather than beer, the Biltmore Winery in Antler Hill Village is a celebrated choice and one of the most visited wineries in the country. Antler Hill Village is described as fully ADA accessible, and the area is mostly flat and easy to move through. A complimentary wine tasting is included with estate admission, and the Wine Bar offers a relaxed spot to linger over a glass.
Getting around the larger estate is also manageable. Biltmore reports that all of its estate shuttles are accessible to wheelchair users, with accessible parking and ADA shuttle service available from designated lots. Keep in mind that the winery sits a few miles from Biltmore House, so building in extra time for parking, shuttles, and exploring will make the day feel relaxed rather than rushed. The Biltmore is one of the local landmarks Loyal Lifts clients ask about most often, and you can read more about real outings to the estate on our testimonials page.
Planning an Accessible Brewery or Winery Visit
A little preparation turns a good outing into a great one. Here is a simple sequence to follow as you plan your day.
- Choose your venue and confirm access. Call the brewery or winery to verify accessible parking, entrance ramps, restroom availability, and whether the tasting room and any tour route can accommodate your chair.
- Check the hours and crowds. Mid-week visits and earlier arrival times usually mean shorter waits and more space to maneuver.
- Plan for the full property. Larger destinations like the Biltmore or Sierra Nevada involve some distance between parking and the tasting area, so ask about shuttles or the shortest accessible path.
- Arrange reliable transportation. Book a door-to-door service that can help you from your home to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the entrance, rather than a standard rideshare that stops at the curb.
- Bring a companion if you wish. Tastings are a social activity, and many guests find the day more enjoyable with a friend or family member along.
Questions to Ask Before You Go
When you call ahead, a short checklist keeps the conversation focused. Consider asking about:
- Accessible parking spaces and their distance from the entrance.
- Ramps, automatic doors, and any steps or thresholds at the entry.
- Accessible restrooms and their location relative to the tasting room.
- Table heights and seating that can accommodate a wheelchair comfortably.
- Whether tours follow an accessible route, and if a self-guided option exists.
How Loyal Lifts Helps You Get There
The most accessible tasting room in the world still requires a comfortable, dignified way to arrive. This is where Loyal Lifts comes in. As a family-owned, local company, we know the Asheville area well, including its traffic patterns and the best routes to popular destinations. We carry premium insurance that allows us to go beyond a simple curbside drop-off, assisting you from your door to our vehicle and from the vehicle to your destination.
Read our guide to maintaining autonomy with limited mobility.
Through our personal transportation service, we help area residents visit tourist attractions, meet friends and family for dining, and run errands across the region. For visitors staying at area hotels, our tourist and hotel transportation service can act as your personalized tour driver for sightseeing and day excursions, including stops at well-known points of interest such as the Biltmore, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, and downtown Asheville. We provide estimates for full-day excursions or for specific stop-and-pickup points, so you can build the day that suits you. If you are planning a longer regional adventure, our summer travel guide for wheelchair users offers additional ideas.
We serve Asheville, Hendersonville, Weaverville, Black Mountain, and the surrounding communities, and we genuinely enjoy helping people live life beyond the boundaries of home. When you are ready to plan a brewery or winery outing, contact us to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Asheville breweries and wineries actually wheelchair accessible?
Many of the area's most popular venues have made accessibility improvements. Sierra Nevada in Mills River and New Belgium in the River Arts District are both listed as wheelchair accessible, and Antler Hill Village at the Biltmore is described as fully ADA accessible. Features can change over time, so confirming current details with each venue before your visit is always recommended.
Can I book transportation to a brewery or winery if I do not own an accessible vehicle?
Yes. Loyal Lifts provides door-to-door transportation throughout the Asheville area and can take you to local attractions, dining, and sightseeing destinations. We assist you from your door to the vehicle and from the vehicle to the entrance, which goes well beyond a typical curbside rideshare.
What should I confirm with a venue before visiting?
Ask about accessible parking, entrance ramps, accessible restrooms, table heights, and whether any tour follows an accessible route. For larger destinations, ask about shuttle service and the shortest accessible path from parking to the tasting area.
Do I need a companion to enjoy an accessible outing?
Not at all, though many guests find tastings more enjoyable with a friend or family member. Loyal Lifts drivers are happy to assist throughout the trip, so you can visit with confidence whether you travel alone or with company.
Conclusion
A great afternoon among the breweries and wineries of Western North Carolina is not a luxury reserved for the able-bodied. With a welcoming venue, a short planning checklist, and dependable transportation, the experience is open to everyone. Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, and the Biltmore Winery each show how thoughtful accessibility can turn a beautiful destination into a place where all guests feel at home.
Contact Loyal Lifts today to schedule your first ride and experience the difference that personalized, professional transportation can make.