money New vineyard to open just in time for the Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend coming in April
Sip wine and cider, savor delicious food pairings and explore the Blue Ridge Mountain countryside during Hendersonville’s Cider, Wine and Dine Weekend, which is set for April 22-24.
The three-day celebration welcomes people to vineyards and orchards where artisan craft beverages are produced in this thriving agricultural region. Almost 60 events take place throughout the weekend, including specialty tastings, dinners, tours and lots of live music.
“Visitors enjoy spending the weekend hopping from one winery and cidery to another,” said Amy Boswell with Visit Hendersonville. “They have favorites, but the weekend also encourages them to check out new locations they haven’t experienced.”
Souther Williams Vineyard holds its grand opening Friday, April 22. It becomes the seventh winery in the Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, which received federal designation in summer 2019. Souther Williams sits on land that’s been in the same family since 1800. The vineyard has eight acres of grapes, including well-known names like cabernet franc, riesling and vidal blanc, and unexpected varieties, such as blaufränkisch, regent and saperavi.
“Part of the joy of wine drinking is learning and educating others and developing your palate,” said Ken Parker, owner of Souther Williams. “We want to educate people about different wines and bring a different winery experience to this part of the state.”
During Cider, Wine & Dine, Souther Williams invites visitors to check out the 35-acre estate with a hike-and-sip tour and a vineyard picnic with live music by the Stormin’ Norman Band.
Marked Tree Vineyard, which opened in spring 2020, hosts a Vintner Dinner at sunset on April 22. The seasonally-inspired, four-course meal features wine pairings with each dish.
Explore Stone Ashe Vineyard during a hiking tour of its hillside property, or bring the whole family to Sawyer Springs for a cornhole tournament with barbecue and live music.
Returning favorite Point Lookout once again hosts its Celtic Festival, featuring mead tastings and Irish music. And live music stars at Burntshirt and Saint Paul with bands all weekend.
On the cider side, Appalachian Ridge hosts orchard breakfasts and guided farm tours, while Bold Rock welcomes families to its kid- and dog-friendly cider garden for live music all three days, cider tastings and food from the Bold Bites food truck.
Events are both free and ticketed. For a full schedule and weekend lodging options, go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/cider-wine-dine-weekend or call (828) 693-9708.
2022 Cider, Wine and Dine Participants
► Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider – The taproom is in a repurposed barn, surrounded by family-owned apple orchards – specializing in Normandy-style hard cider, brandy and pommeau, 749 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-699-7507
► Bold Rock Hard Cider – the North Carolina facility of one of America’s leading hard cider producers – in the heart of the scenic farm country of the Mills River Valley, located at 72 School House Rd., Mills River 828-595-9940
► Burntshirt Vineyards Chimney Rock – This new tasting room and bistro has views of both Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls, Located at 438 Main St., Chimney Rock, 828-436-2490
► Burntshirt Vineyards Hendersonville – An estate winery and event center that overlooks their celebrated vineyards, 2695 Sugarloaf Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-2402
► Flat Rock Cider Company – Flat Rock Cider Company creates its hard cider in a variety of flavors – from apples grown right here in Henderson County – location to be determined. 828-595-2992
► Marked Tree Vineyard – Offers 10 wine varieties made with European vinifera and French-American hybrid grapes in a picturesque setting, surrounded by panoramic views, 623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock, 828-513-3773
► Point Lookout Vineyard & World’s Edge Meadery – Take in 30-mile views from an elevation of 3,000 feet atop Point Lookout Mountain while you taste a variety of wines and mead, 408 Appleola Road, Hendersonville, 828-393-5793
► Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards – The winery and tasting room are nestled between orchards and vineyards, 588 Chestnut Gap Rd., Hendersonville, 828-685-4002
► Sawyer Springs Vineyard – Enjoy award-winning wines grown and processed right on the same location as the rustic tasting barn at this laid-back, family-run winery, 124 Sandy Hill Lane, Hendersonville, 828-698-4383
► SoutherWilliams Vineyard – Located on land that has been in the same family for more than 200 years, SoutherWilliams cultivates well-known varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cynthiana, Reisling and Vidal Blanc, along with lesser-known grapes from Austria, Germany and eastern Europe, 655 Hoopers Creek Rd., Fletcher, NC 28732, 828-483-6070
► Stone Ashe Vineyards – this state-of-the-art tasting room rests on a bluff overlooking a pond surrounded by vineyards, 736 Green Mountain Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28792, 828-551-5643
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: New vineyard open just in time for Hendersonville Cider, Wine & Dine
