Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer this week, 3- 2 -12

March 3, 5 - 7 PM Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC. FREE beer tasting: Nantahala Brewing Company Bryson City, NC - check out a favorite brewer in NC and taste these fine crafted ales that have made their way to Hops and Vines as one of their best selling growler line ups: Noon Day IPA; Bryson City Brown; Sticky Dog Stout.   March 4, 3-6 PM - FREE Wine Tasting: Li Veli Organic Wines from Italy & Raw Shakti Chocolate - taste three wines from Italian wine producers, Li Veli. Li Veli grows certified organic grapes and all workings within the cellar are environmentally friendly. Li Veli "Orion" Primitivo 2009: Primitivo is a wonderful, ancient grape from Italy, named for it early ripening; Li Veli "Passamante" Negroamaro 2009: Negroamaro is the main grape variety planted by Li Veli, and is named for it's deep purple-black color; Li Veli "Primonero" 2009- This wine is a blend of the two varietals previously mentioned, Primitivo and Negroamaro. Recieve 10% off these wines from 3-6 this Saturday.

March 3 , 7-10 PM,  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC -  A Special Night of original music  written and performed by Chris Minick. Enjoy a special Spanish Tappas menu and Mable Alice Rum Cake. 

March 3,  4-7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - Friday Winedown, 545 wine tasting - 5 great new wines from Italy from Barbera to Grisola! You get to sample 5 wines for $5, free for Grapenuts.  March 4, 2-5 PM - FREE Wine Tasting:    March 5, 7-9 PM   2010 Pinot Noirs From Patricia Green Cellars,  545 wine tasting. Winery co-owner Jim Anderson will be in-store to pour these wines which are always some of the highest rated Oregon Pinot Noirs.  RSVP and pre-payment required - limited to 40 participants.

March 3,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday.  Feb 25 - The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.


March 4,   2 PM - 5 PM  The Wine Guy, 555 Merimon Ave and 1200 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville NC. FREE Saturday tastings are a great way to sample new favorites in a casual setting. Sample 4 to 6 new wines. Light hors d’ oeuvres will be served and all wines poured will be specially priced.

March 4, 12 PM - 5 PM at Vino Vino Wine Market, 178 Weaverville Rd., Asheville NC. Every Saturday anytime between 12:00 and 5:00pm enjoy a sampling of wines from around the world. A 10% discount on each of the wines we are featuring.

March 4   , 3 - 6 PM   at Falderal Winery, 131 3rd Ave, Hendersonville NC.  Home Wine Making Class - Learn the ins and outs of home wine making. For beginners or experienced home winemakers wanting to brush-up on their skill. The event fee includes a tasting, bottle of wine and 10% off all wine making supplies.

Tasting Rooms:

Biltmore Winery, located on the Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC. Daily tasting and tours with Estate admission. Special events and tastings throughout the year.

Old North State Winery, 308 North Main Street, Mount Airy NC. Hours of operation are: Monday-Wednesday 11am-6pm, Thursday-Saturday 11am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm. Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items.

RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC Tours are "on demand" noon to six PM daily. Tastings are available noon to six PM daily and include up to 11 varieties of wine.

Calaboose Cellars, 565 Aquone Road, Andrews NC. Closed for the winter - re-open March 22, 2012Tasting room summer hours: Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 5:00. This week check out the "Warden's White".

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC

Daily Tastings at Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Tasting room hours: Monday - Thursday 4 PM - 10+ PM; Friday 3 PM - 10+ PM; Saturday and Sunday 2 PM - 10+ PM.

Daily Tastings at Greenman Brewery, 23 Buxton Ave., Asheville NC. The tasting room is open seven days a week at 4 o'clock, or maybe earlier