Business Details
Open 24/7
always available
Your Trusted Transportation Partner for Tours & Events
Van in Black is a premier transportation service headquartered in Western North Carolina, serving the Carolinas with luxury and reliability. Established to provide exceptional on-demand transportation solutions, we specialize in wine tours, beer tours, wedding transportation, airport shuttles, and corporate travel. Our fleet of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans, meticulously maintained and equipped with modern amenities, ensures comfort and safety for groups of all sizes. Our team includes WSET-certified wine experts and experienced drivers committed to delivering personalized service. With a federal DOT number (3148254) and GPS-tracked vehicles, we adhere to the highest industry standards. We pride ourselves on being the highest-rated transportation company in the region, offering customizable itineraries and 24/7 availability to meet diverse client needs. Our dedication to excellence has earned us recognition as the 'Coolest Ride in the Carolinas,' reflecting our innovative approach and customer-centric philosophy.
Services
Wine Tours
Limousine Service
Airport Shuttles
Wedding Transportation
Beer Tours
Corporate Travel
City Tours
Scenic Tours
Prom Transportation
Passenger Van Rentals
Highlights and features
- We offer WSET-certified wine experts for elevated tour experiences.
- Our fleet includes GPS-tracked, 2021-2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans.
- We provide 24/7 service for urgent transportation needs.
- Customizable itineraries tailored to group preferences and schedules.
- Highest-rated transportation company in Western NC and Upstate SC.
Associations and certifications
- WSET
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
What people say
Highest rated
Safe and reliable
Knowledgeable guides
Luxurious vehicles
Customizable tours
Services
Wine Tours
Explore Carolina's premier wineries with expert-led wine tours. Our WSET-certified guides curate personalized itineraries for groups, offering tastings at award-winning vineyards. With spacious vans accommodating up to 14 guests, we ensure comfortable transportation between locations while providing insightful commentary on regional wines and terroir.
Limousine Service
Experience premium transportation in our Mercedes-Benz Sprinter limousines. Featuring salon-style seating, onboard refrigerators, and entertainment systems, these vehicles cater to special events like weddings and proms. Each van includes 20 USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a dedicated sound system for an elevated travel experience across Western NC and Upstate SC.
Airport Shuttles
Effortless airport transportation for large groups to Charlotte-Douglas, Greenville-Spartanburg, and regional airports. Our 14-passenger vans accommodate luggage with ease, ensuring timely arrivals and departures. Available 24/7, this service eliminates the need for multiple taxis while providing door-to-door convenience for travelers in the Carolinas.
Wedding Transportation
Comprehensive wedding transportation solutions for parties and guests. Our fleet handles remote venues with ease, offering luxury vans equipped for formal attire and equipment. We coordinate with venues like Biltmore Estate to ensure punctual service, including multi-stop pickups and late-night returns for receptions across Western NC's mountainous regions.
Beer Tours
Discover Carolina's craft breweries with guided beer tours led by certified Cicerone drivers. Our routes cover Asheville's bustling beer scene and Greenville's microbreweries, allowing groups to sample rotating taps without designated drivers. Vans include open-container compliance in NC, onboard refrigeration, and flexible scheduling for weekday or weekend excursions.
People
Ryan Watts
Founder
Certified wine expert (WSET 3, CMS 1) and tourism ambassador. Founded Van in Black to combine luxury transportation with curated wine experiences across the Carolinas.
Terri Watts
Owner
Manages daily operations with WSET 2 and CMS 1 certifications. Ensures seamless service delivery while maintaining the company's commitment to excellence in transportation.
Christine Vincent
Driver/Guide
WSET 2-certified guide specializing in Carolina wineries. Provides expert commentary during tours while maintaining the highest standards of customer service and safety.
Doug Whiteside
Driver/Guide
Retired airline pilot offering professional driving services. Brings aviation-grade precision to transportation logistics while sharing local knowledge of Carolinas' scenic routes.
Leon Godlock
Driver/Guide
Known for exceptional positivity, Leon creates memorable experiences through engaging storytelling and deep familiarity with regional attractions, from mountain vistas to urban landmarks.
Questions
What regions do your wine tours cover?
We service Asheville, Charlotte, Yadkin Valley, Hendersonville, Tryon, and Appalachian High Country regions with customized itineraries.
Can you accommodate large wedding groups?
Yes, our fleet transports up to 100 passengers with vehicles ranging from 11-14 passenger vans, including luxury options for bridal parties.
Are open containers allowed in vehicles?
Yes, in North Carolina we're licensed 'For Hire' vehicles permitting open containers during private tours.
Do you operate in remote mountain areas?
Our vans access 98% of venues with 10ft clearance requirements, including mountainous regions like Highlands and Sylva.
How does payment work for tours?
Bookings require a 4-hour minimum deposit. Final payments for additional hours settle directly with your driver post-service.
Can you help plan brewery tour itineraries?
Yes, our Cicerone-certified drivers recommend optimal routes based on group preferences and seasonal brewery offerings.
Reviews (11)
Amber True Marshall
Apr 26, 2021
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Ryan and The Van in Black are fantastic!! Absolutely top notch winery tour driver. Ryan helped us plan the day ahead of time, arrived on time, opened doors and carried bags for us and even took excellent pictures! Could not have had a better day.
Meghan Chaney Parris
Feb 08, 2021
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Ryan is amazing! He is on time and caters to you with any need you have! Anything you ask, he makes it happen. We had the perfect day!
Jordan Praytor Connelly
Oct 05, 2020
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We had the best day! Van in Black was on time, made great recommendations of wineries to tour and even set us up with a private tour! It was obvious that this business is well known and respected by other members of the community because all of the winery owners stopped by to visit with us!
Rene Allard
Sep 01, 2020
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Ryan is fantastic! He drove 6 of us girls around to 4 different wineries and took such good care of us! We will see u next year!
Lisa Mathley Schloeder
Jun 10, 2020
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Ryan and John were outstanding from start to finish! Very professional! Many thanks to John for allowing the girls to have some much needed fun!
Stefanie DeCillis
Mar 13, 2020
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So incredibly glad that we went with Ryan and the Van in Black for our bachelorette party wine tour! Ryan was an expert on the best wineries to visit based on our group's preferences and timeline and was wonderful to communicate with before and during our trip. I had no idea such beautiful vineyards even existed so close to Charlotte, but I will definitely be going back and booking with the Van in Black!
Sarah Whitaker Wetherbee
Nov 05, 2019
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Our experience with Van in Black was top-notch! We went on the Tryon Winery trail and Ryan's knowledge of the area, relationships with each winery (and willingness to be a stand in photographer all day for 8 ladies) was beyond wonderful service. At each winery we arrived at Ryan had called ahead and made sure they were ready for our group - which was not something requested or discussed - he just did it and it was an awesome surprise. I would recommend Van in Black to anyone!
Kristi Liddle
Oct 09, 2019
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We had a wonderful time touring vineyards with Ryan as our driver. He took us to some great places, he was very accommodating, it was a fantastic experience.
Cameron Watson
Mar 21, 2019
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Ryan is a class act and I recommend him and his business 100% He was on time to pick us up, provided easy transparent billing, had great communication throughout our adventures the entire day/night (little brother's bachelor weekend outing) and delivered top notch service the entire way! I would HIGHLY recommend him for any group larger than what can fit in a tiny car for transportation in and around Black Mountain and Asheville!
Just the convenience and time saved being able to ride together everywhere we went that Saturday (10 passengers) in addition to the camaraderie we were able to share during transit were worth every penny! Don't leave your next trip in this area up to chance with ride sharing services; hire Van in Black and you can thank me later!
Just the convenience and time saved being able to ride together everywhere we went that Saturday (10 passengers) in addition to the camaraderie we were able to share during transit were worth every penny! Don't leave your next trip in this area up to chance with ride sharing services; hire Van in Black and you can thank me later!
Michael Jimenez
Jan 04, 2019
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From the first communication via email to the drop off at the end of the day, Ryan was excellent. Great communication, excellent transportation, and a wealth of knowledge on the area and activities. Ryan recommended three fantastic wineries in the Tryon area that we thoroughly enjoyed. He let us play our music in the van and provided a waterfall side trip. We all especially appreciate the great photos he took of us at each spot.
Not having to worry about driving when wine tasting is always of great comfort, and we never felt rushed by him. We would recommend this to everyone whether you are wine tasting or just need a big van to move your family around town.
Not having to worry about driving when wine tasting is always of great comfort, and we never felt rushed by him. We would recommend this to everyone whether you are wine tasting or just need a big van to move your family around town.
Elizabeth T.
Oct 13, 2018
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Van in Black exceeded our expectations in every way. Ryan arrived early and had made our reservations ahead of time for the vineyards as we were a large group. He had music playlists at the ready, pillows and blankets in the van if we got chilly and waters (still AND sparkling) in a cooler. He even took pictures for us throughout the day, which were the best photos of the trip. I looked like a hero to my group for finding him. We all came from out of state and he provided a ton of information for us. We all highly recommend using Van in Black!