Labor Day Weekend Events: Annual Smoky Mountain Folk Festival in Lake Junaluska NC

September 4 - 5, 2015  Annual Smoky Mountain Folk Festival   45th Annual Festival. Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center offers two nights of the finest traditional music and dance of the Southern Appalachian Region. 

The main shows begin at 6:00 PM,  both Friday and Saturday, on the grand stage of the Stuart Auditorium overlooking beautiful Lake Junaluska. Both nights will include a rich variety of the region's finest fiddlers, banjo players, string bands, ballad singers, buck dancers, and square dance teams as well as the marvelous sounds of dulcimer, harmonica, jew's harp, bagpipes, spoons, saws, and folk ensembles. 

Learn more about Lake Junaluska on the Lake Junaluska NC Visitor Guide. 

 

The Kruger Brothers Perform this Weekend for An Appalachian Evening Concert Series

August 29, 2015    An Appalachian Evening - The Kruger Brothers    This annual summer concert series offers an ever-changing schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists — quality entertainment for the entire family. Rich in cultural heritage, An Appalachian Evening continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. All concerts at 7:30 pm in the air-conditioned Lynn L. Shields Auditorium at The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. 

Before each 'An Appalachian Evening' concert, you can purchase a home-cooked Appalachian Dinner in the Schoolhouse Cafe from 6 PM to 7:30 PM.

This is the final concert in the Summer Series, but more entertainment will continue at the Center including the popular  Fall Harvest Festival. 

Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer Tastings and Events for the Week of 8/27/15

August 28, 2015 from 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store, 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC: "Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge" Benefit Wine Tasting. Maggie B's will be hosting a fundraising event this Friday in support of Anne-Marie Dany as she takes on the Make-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. We will be donating the amount equal to 10% of all sales that evening, whether it's from food, wine, beer, or even water.

The Trailblaze Challenge is a hiking challenge. On October 10, she will hike a 28.3 mile section of the Foothills Trail. But that's not all she has to do. She also has to raise a minimum of $2,500 for our local Make-A-Wish chapter. Hence the fundraising event. Each local chapter of Make-A-Wish is responsible for raising the funds needed to grant the wishes for their area. Our local chapter covers 51 counties in the Western and Central part of the state, from Burlington to the western border. They expect to grant over 250 wishes this year, with an average cost of $6,000 per wish. Please help her help them grant these wishes.

You can read more about the Trailblaze Challenge here.  If you can't attend Friday night but would like to donate to the cause, Dany's fundraising page is here.

Deal of the Week:  Ramos Vila Santa White 2013 "50% Rabo de Ovelha, 50% Roupeiro bright and refreshing with notes of mineral, citrus, and apple" WAS: $10.99 THIS WEEK: $8.99

August 27, 2015 - Asheville Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville NC: As of 8/27 Asheville Brewing will have a new brew on tap: Ground Score Saison. The first beer in the Ground Score series that features local ingredients scored from friends, farmers and family in the area.The first Ground Score is a dry and refreshing Saison with classic Belgian flavors of spice and earthiness. Local serviceberrries, a unique berry with flavors of a mellow blueberry, were added during fermentation to add a subtle sweetness and interesting berry aroma. ABV: 5.6 IBU: 25 SRM: 5 Malts: Pale, Pilsner, Flaked Wheat and Oats and CaraRed Hops: Aramis and Strisselspalt.

August 28, 2015 at 9 PM in the Millroom: 828 Throwdown @ The Millroom Empire Strikes Brass meets Push/Pull. $8 Cover This show will be a true treat for Asheville. The Asheville-based Empire Strikes Brass in collaboration with an amazing producer known as Push/Pull in what can be described as a unique fusion of carefully crafted Electronic Music layered with the incredible sound of a full horn section.

August 28, 2015 from 5 - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 in West Asheville NC: FREE Beer Tasting - Oskar Blues. Enjoy some favorite classics as well as great new selections with Oskar Blues rep Amy Rubin. These beers were brewed and canned right down the road in Brevard, NC:
Piner Throwback IPA - At 4.9% ABV and 35 IBUs, this drinkable IPA uses several varieties of hops to target the ever-evolving flavor. With tropical fruits, citrus juices, pineapple and spice berry up front in the aroma and flavor, the biscuit & toasted bread at the back balance out all the hops and make a great finish to go on to your next can of PINNER. It’s the perfect beer for a little sip, sip, give.
IPA Pskar Blues - Fresh from the Oskar Blues, this new IPA has quickly become one of our favorites. Packed with new varieties of Australian hops balanced against a solid malt body, this beer is dangerously drinkable and remarkably hoppy. Using Ella, Topaz, Vic Secret and Enigma, this beer imparts a huge tropical aroma and a bright but resinous hop flavor. This beer is sure to be one of the best hopy bears of the year.

Dale's Pale Ale -This voluminously hopped mutha delivers a hoppy nose and assertive-but-balanced flavors of pale malts and citrusy floral hops from start to finish. Oskar Blues launched its canning ops in 2002, brewing and hand-canning Dale’s Pale Ale in the Lyons, ColoRADo, brewpub. America’s first-craft-canned mountain Pale is a hearty, critically acclaimed trailblazer that changed the way craft beer fiends perceive portable beer (6.5 percent ABV and 65 IBUs).

August 29, 2015 from 3 - 6 PM:  : FREE Wine Tasting - End of Summer Rose Tasting.  Summer isn’t over yet and we’ll be drinking our favorite Rose’s until they’re all gone! Come join us this Saturday to try some of our favorite selections from both France and Washington. These lovely rose wines are dry yet full bodied and complex, making the perfect warm weather treat..  10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

August 29, 2015 from 3 - 7 PM at Appalachian Vintner, Wine Tasting, free with the purchase of $10 or more. August 31 - $1 off all draft beer noon to 7:30 PM.  September 2 - Wine Wednesday. $1 off wines by the glass.  Almost twenty wines by the glass most of which are organic, sustainable or biodynamic. More flavor, less chemicals, try it your body will thank you.

September1 - 30, 2015 at Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC:  September is North Carolina Wine Month. Celebrate at Shelton Vineyards with a variety of special events, wine and dinner specials. Winery tours and tastings happening daily. Can’t make it to the vineyard? Shelton's website will feature wine specials throughout the month– so be sure to check back.

All September Long - Enjoy contests in the Retail Shop. Stop by the tasting room and enter to win a Case of Wine of your choice (excludes reserve wines) - with a winner selected each week. At the end of September,  one lucky winner will be selected for an Overnight Getaway Package that includes dinner for two at the Harvest Grill, 25% off one bottle of wine, two glasses of wine at the Hampton Inn Wine Bar and a tour and tasting for two at the winery. Also, enter the Facebook and Instagram Contest - show how you enjoy your favorite Shelton Vineyards wine for a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate.

August 28, 2015 at  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Live Music with Shelia Gordon performing piano and vocals, a Bonnie Raitt Tributes at 7 PM. August 29 at 7 PM - Joe Cruz piano and vocals performing music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel . Wine on Wednesdays - stop by every Wednesday from 4 PM to 8 PM to enjoy unique varietals, regional tastings and more. Free tastings with the purchase of $15 of food or $16 per person.

 

August 28, 2015 from 2 - 7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - FREE Tasting - The Wines of Talbott Vineyards.  For over 30 years, the wines of Talbott Vineyards have been wowing wine lovers. Their estate bottled Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, from their entry level Kali Hart line to their legendary Sleepy Hollow bottlings, are all exceptional wines and this is your chance to taste them all under one roof. For fans of classically styled, super classy California wines, this is a tasting you don’t want to miss.

August 29, 2015 from 2 PM - 5 PM: Free Wine Tasting – Small Vineyards Imports. Small Vineyards Imports works with the types of producers and wine farms that we love to support. These family owned and operated wineries make wines like your favorite chef cooks your food………low and slow and with great attention to detail. This careful and conscious approach to their craft results in wines full of heart and soul, and many of our top finds ever have come from these vineyards.

August 28, 2015 from  4 - 6 PM at  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings  every Friday.   The last Saturday of each month 4-8 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

August 29, 2015 from  2 PM - 5 PM at 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

August 28, 2015 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 West Main Street in Elkin NC - Live Performance by Classical guitarist Daniel Stanislawek. August 29 - Classical and jazz guitarist Larry G. Davis

performs live from 6 8 PM.

August 29, 2015 at Brusin' Ales, 66 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville NC  Broadway Block Party - arts organizations and businesses in the Broadway Arts District (B.A.D.), Asheville’s newest downtown cultural hub, will be hosting a free block party featuring exhibitions, installations, performances, hands-on activities, food trucks, and more. The Broadway Block Party will take place from 10 AM to 7 PM, spanning Broadway from the Masonic Temple to Mellow Mushroom with all-ages events open to the public throughout the day.

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. Tasting room open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended for tastings and tours.  Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items. Thursdays live music at 8 PM. 

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.  Tasting room summer hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 8:00. 

Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery,  170 Heritage Vines Way in Elkin NC - Open to the public for Tours and Tastings on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM to 6 PM and at other times by appointment – call (336) 366-3301 to schedule a time.

Elkin Creek Winery, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road in Elkin NC,  Open for tastings Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM and other times by appointment. 

Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, Tasting Room Drive off of Klondike Road, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC -  Tasting Room open Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. June through September: Saturdays open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks,   315 Thurmond PO Road in Thurmond NC - Tasting Room Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.

Round Peak Vineyard,   765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy NC - Tasting Room Open Daily: Sun–Thurs 12 pm–5 pm;  Fri 12 pm–8 pm;  Sat 11 am–6 pm (and until Sunset Jun–Aug); By appt. other times. The Tasting Room is also a cozy place to host your private event. With space for 20-40 people depending on seating, and the ability to cater any type of food or appetizers desired, we can create the atmosphere you'd like. Available any time except the normal business hours that the Tasting Room is open.
 
Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC. Regular tour and tasting is offered daily departing every half hour. This includes a guided tour of the 33,000 square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process, a tasting of five wines, and a souvenir wine glass. $5 per person.  Retail hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AN.-6 PM., and Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM (Daylight Savings Time); Monday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday 12 PM-5 PM (Standard Time). Tours and tastings are offered daily. The winery is open every day of the year except New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A variety of additional special tours are available - reservations are required, see the website for details.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC  Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM, Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM through the year until January 1st. Tastings include the glass & are $6, $7 or $10 depending on the wines you choose. Music events are rain or shine and provided to South Creek Customers at no admission fee, unless it is a stated ticketed event.

Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. in the River Arts District, Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:00 PM till 10:00 PM, Friday 3:00 PM till 10:00 PM. Live music on select dates and outdoor cinema. 

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

Slightly Askew Winery, 913 North Bridge Street in  Elkin NC - Hours of operation: Thursday - Friday 1 PM - 6 PM; Saturday 12 PM - 6 PM; Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM

Stoney Knoll Vineyards, 1143 Stony Knoll Road in Dobson NC -  Tasting Room Hours: Regular hours March through December - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Winter hours in January and February - Fridays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Wine tasting: $7.00, Wine by the glass: $5.00. 10% Case Discount on Regular Prices (includes free wine tasting and glass)

Other Wineries and Vineyards:

Olde Mill Winery and Vineyards,  2742 Simpson Mill Road in Mount Airy NC

Cherokee Hosts Qualla Arts and Crafts Open Air Indian Art Market this Weekend

August 29, 2015     Qualla Arts and Crafts Open Air Indian Art Market    Where our family traditions become your family heirlooms: the Open Air Indian Art Market showcases traditional, handmade Cherokee arts and crafts. 

Come to shop for authentic and unique gifts but stay for the music, food, storytelling, and craft demonstrations. This outdoor event is held in the Cultural District of Cherokee next to Oconaluftee Islands Park. A traditional Cherokee meal will be for available for purchase.

Learn more about local events and attractions on the Cherokee NC Visitor Guide. 

 

Take a Hike: Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock State Park

August 28, 2015    Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock Park    11 AM. Be amazed at the variety of fascinating fungi growing along the Park’s trails. Whet your appetite on this guided hike as you identify and learn about a dozen or so of the most common mushrooms among more than 1,000 species that could be growing in Western NC. 

Led by Karen Johnson, member of State Parks and the Asheville Mushroom Club. Limit first 15 people; meet at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den.  Included in Park Admission

Highlands NC Annual Village Square Art and Craft Show

August 29 - 30, 2015    Village Square Art and Craft Show   Sponsored by the Macon County Art Association, there are many works of art from which to choose. You will also find jewelry, pottery, weaving, metalwork, woodwork and other high quality crafts for the home and garden. 

70+ local and regional art vendors. The show is held in downtown Highlands NC at Kelsey-Hutchinson Park and neighboring Village Square, a block from Main Street.

Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer Tastings and Events for the Week of 8-20-15

August 21, 2015 from 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store, 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC: Portuguese Wine Tasting. Most people think of Port wine when they think of wine from Portugal. But, there are so many different wine styles which are produced. Maggie's will be pouring whites such as Vinho Verde, perfect for these sticky August days we have had, and rich red blends.

Friday and Saturday Sale: Maggie B's Famous Jalapeno Pimento Cheese -  WAS: $11.99/lb. SALE: $8.99/lb.

August 21, 2015 from 5 - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 in West Asheville NC: FREE Beer Tasting - Wicked Weed Releases. Join Evan Cruchfield of Wicked Weed and sample their the newly packaged IPA's from their new production facility. Evan will be also be sampling out a few sour beers from Wicked Weed's Funkatorium as well.:

Freak of Nature Double IPA - the hoppiest ale. The focus of this beer was to create a hop delivery vehicle. We dry hop this beer at a rate of almost 4 pounds of hops per barrel. The resulting blend of dank and citrus forward hops make for a palate changing experience. Hopheads, rejoice. This is your beer.

Pernicious - the flagship India Pale Ale. This massively dry-hopped ale has minimum malt complexity and a combination of juicy, tropical fruit-forward hops with heavy resinous American hops. Pernicious is the epitome of a West Coast IPA, made right here in the Southeast..

August 22, 2015 from 3 - 6 PM:  : FREE Wine Tasting - Chilean Wines from Santa Luz Winery.  The grapes from the Alba range of wines come mainly from one of our first vineyard estates, which is situated in the idyllic Colchagua Valley. The grapes are carefully cultivated to enhance their fruit characteristics which give each variety a distinctive personality. These wines are a wonderful example of the exceptional variety and character of Chilean wines at an incredible price.  10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

August 22, 2015 from 3 - 7 PM at Appalachian Vintner, Wine Tasting, free with the purchase of $10 or more. August 24 - $1 off all draft beer noon to 7:30 PM.  August 26 - Wine Wednesday. $1 off wines by the glass.  Almost twenty wines by the glass most of which are organic, sustainable or biodynamic. More flavor, less chemicals, try it your body will thank you.

August 22, 2015 at Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC:  15th Anniversary Celebration. There will be case specials and new releases for the day. Also, Shelton be hosting the Merecedes Auto Show during the day, a FREE event. Check out the latest models along side vintage Mercedes. A great blend of the old and the new! Chef Paul will feature a special lunch menu on The Terrace at Shelton Vineyards.

Extending Sale - Madison Lee White and Madison Lee Red are $9.99 (regularly $12.99). Sale ends 8/23/25.

August 21, 2015 at  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Live Music, Mike and Don - Gypsy Jazz tribute at 7 PM. August 22 at 7 PM - Angela Easterling live at 7 PM. Guituar and vocals. Wine on Wednesdays - stop by every Wednesday from 4 PM to 8 PM to enjoy unique varietals, regional tastings and more. Free tastings with the purchase of $15 of food or $16 per person.

 

August 21, 2015 from 2 - 7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - FREE Tasting - The wines of Southern Italy often get overlooked in favor of the those from the more chic regions Tuscany and the Piemonte. That’s a real shame because this part of Italy produces some of the country’s most interesting wines and greatest values. Due to the warmer conditions in the south, the reds and whites tend to be on the richer, fuller side of thin.

August 21, 2015 from  4 - 6 PM at  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings  every Friday.   The last Saturday of each month 4-8 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

August 22, 2015 from  2 PM - 5 PM at 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

August 21, 2015 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 West Main Street in Elkin NC - Live Performance of folk music by Caroline Beverly. August 22 - Folk Artist Marie Reid performs live from 6 8 PM.

Brusin' Ales, 66 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville NC   Regular service this week.

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. Tasting room open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended for tastings and tours.  Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items. Thursdays live music at 8 PM. 

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.  Tasting room summer hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 8:00. 

Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery,  170 Heritage Vines Way in Elkin NC - Open to the public for Tours and Tastings on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM to 6 PM and at other times by appointment – call (336) 366-3301 to schedule a time.

Elkin Creek Winery, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road in Elkin NC,  Open for tastings Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM and other times by appointment. 

Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, Tasting Room Drive off of Klondike Road, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC -  Tasting Room open Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. June through September: Saturdays open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks,   315 Thurmond PO Road in Thurmond NC - Tasting Room Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.

Round Peak Vineyard,   765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy NC - Tasting Room Open Daily: Sun–Thurs 12 pm–5 pm;  Fri 12 pm–8 pm;  Sat 11 am–6 pm (and until Sunset Jun–Aug); By appt. other times. The Tasting Room is also a cozy place to host your private event. With space for 20-40 people depending on seating, and the ability to cater any type of food or appetizers desired, we can create the atmosphere you'd like. Available any time except the normal business hours that the Tasting Room is open.
 
Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC. Regular tour and tasting is offered daily departing every half hour. This includes a guided tour of the 33,000 square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process, a tasting of five wines, and a souvenir wine glass. $5 per person.  Retail hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AN.-6 PM., and Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM (Daylight Savings Time); Monday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday 12 PM-5 PM (Standard Time). Tours and tastings are offered daily. The winery is open every day of the year except New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A variety of additional special tours are available - reservations are required, see the website for details.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC  Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM, Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM through the year until January 1st. Tastings include the glass & are $6, $7 or $10 depending on the wines you choose. Music events are rain or shine and provided to South Creek Customers at no admission fee, unless it is a stated ticketed event.

Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. in the River Arts District, Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:00 PM till 10:00 PM, Friday 3:00 PM till 10:00 PM. Live music on select dates and outdoor cinema. 

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

Slightly Askew Winery, 913 North Bridge Street in  Elkin NC - Hours of operation: Thursday - Friday 1 PM - 6 PM; Saturday 12 PM - 6 PM; Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM

Stoney Knoll Vineyards, 1143 Stony Knoll Road in Dobson NC -  Tasting Room Hours: Regular hours March through December - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Winter hours in January and February - Fridays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Wine tasting: $7.00, Wine by the glass: $5.00. 10% Case Discount on Regular Prices (includes free wine tasting and glass)

Other Wineries and Vineyards:

Olde Mill Winery and Vineyards,  2742 Simpson Mill Road in Mount Airy NC

An Appalachian Evening Summer Concerts Series Features The Henhouse Prowlers

August 22, 2015   An Appalachian Evening - The Henhouse Prowlers    This annual summer concert series offers an ever-changing schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists — quality entertainment for the entire family. Rich in cultural heritage, An Appalachian Evening continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. All concerts at 7:30 pm in the air-conditioned Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.

The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is located at 121 School House Road in Robbinsville NC

 

Take a Hike: Naturalist Niche Series - Wild Edibles at Chimney Rock State Park

August 22, 2015     Naturalist Niche Series: Wild Edibles    ‘Wild edibles’ is always a popular topic among naturalists and enthusiasts. Let the Chimney Rock State Park team help you identify some local edibles that you might even find in your backyard. 

This hike will be moderate-to-strenuous. Important: collecting or removing mushrooms and plants from Chimney Rock and all NC State Parks is NOT allowed without a permit. Advance registration is required by calling 800-277-9611; limit first 20 hikers. 

Get links for more local information on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide. 

Asheville Wine and Food Festival - Craft Cocktails, Decadent Desserts and Samplings of Asheville's Best Foods

August 20 - 22, 2015   The Asheville Wine and Food Festival for 2015  will be held in various locations with the main events on Saturday at the US Cellular Civic Center in downtown Asheville NC. Now in its 7th year the Festival celebrates both the elegant and the artisan culinary offerings from the variety of restaurants and chefs which make the mountains a true "foodie" destination.

The festival begins with "Elixir", a craft cocktail experience and mixology competition. Amuse and Essence are what's trending now. Skilled bartenders mix the spirits from both local and national distilleries to present their most creative offerings. Attendees will enjoy an amuse bouche along with the theater of the mixology while the competition is concluded and the most creative cocktail is determined.  Elixir takes place from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the MHCC Event Center.

"Sweet" is a decadent evening of desserts, champagne, wine, spirits and shopping. Begin the second evening of the Festival with dinner at one of Asheville's excellent independent restaurants, but save room for those special "Sweets". From 8 PM to 10 PM participants collect at the historic Grove Arcade, am architectural wonder,  in downtown Asheville where local bakers, chocolatiers, pâtissiers, wine vendors, brewers and distillers will line the corridors of the Arcade. Shops of the Arcade will be open late for browsing and buying in between indulging in the sumptuous fair that is "Sweet".

The final day of the Festival at the Civic Center includes The Grand Tasting, offering a delicious celebration and sampling of a wide variety of Asheville's food and beverages. VIP ticket holders are allowed early admittance at 1 PM catered by Whole Foods and Wines by Biltmore. VIPs also are treated to special events and a their own seating area to enjoy the show along with access to all the vendors/Exhibitors, hundreds of wines, and dozens of breweries, distilleries, restaurants and food producers.

General admission tickets holders begin at 2 PM  with access to all the vendors/Exhibitors, hundreds of wines, and dozens of breweries, distilleries, restaurants and food producers. Enjoy the many sessions of Blind Wine Tastings, Culinary Demonstrations, Mixology Demonstrations and meet Culinary Cookbook authors.

3:00 - 4:30 PM - The Asheville Scene Chefs Challenge includes 4 chefs, 1 hour and a secret ingredient. The Challenge is the conclusion of an iron chef style competition in which over a dozen of the region’s finest chefs fought to the finish to earn the right to compete at the Asheville Wine and Food Festival finals. 

Additional scheduled events:
1:00 - 4:30    Festival Wine Competition
1:00-2:30     Culinary Demonstrations
1:30 - 3:00   Malaprops Culinary Authors Book Signing
2:00 - 4:15    Mixology Demonstrations
1:15 & 3:00  Blind Wine Tasting Event   2 Sessions with Limited Seating
2:15 PM       Blind Beer Tasting Event   1 session, limited seating 

Comfortable shoes are recommended as these events cover all three levels of the Civic Center.

At this festival you will see why Asheville NC is rated among the best food and wine experiences in the country. 

The Asheville Wine and Food Festival helps fund the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association.

Flat Rock Playhouse Presents "Crimes of the Heart" at the Hendersonville Playhouse Downtown

August 20 - September 6, 2015    Flat Rock Playhouse   presents "Crimes of the Heart" at the Playhouse Downtown  Meet Meg, Babe and Lenny, the Magrath sisters. Just your typical southern sisters who reconvene in their hometown of Hazlehurst, Mississippi at the home of their Old Grandaddy. Oh, but this is not your typical family reunion. Babe has just shot her abusive husband. And their mother has hung herself…and the beloved family cat. What unfolds is a beautifully rendered, often heartbreaking, often hilarious story of love, compassion and sisterhood.

Visit the Flat Rock Playhouse website for show times and tickets. The Playhouse Downtown is located at 125 South Main Street in historic downtown Hendersonville NC. 

 

Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer Tastings for the week of 8-13-15

August 14, 2015 from 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store, 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC: Bee & Bramble Mead Tasting. Bee & Bramble is a small winery located in the town of Fairview, NC (a suburb of Asheville). They make meads, or honey wine, metheglins, and melomels out of the finest local ingredients. "Our honey wines are quite different than the usual. Whereas most mead makers will aim for high alcohol and an overall “sweet” character, we opt for the “floral, dry and drinkable” end of the spectrum with alcohol contents in the range of the typical white-red spectrum." Stop in Friday, meet the owner, and taste his craft meads.

Deal of the Week: Atlantis White Wine 2012, Greece "90% Assyrtiko, 5% Athiri, 5% Aidani" "Crystal-clear yellow color, distinctively flavored with citrus overtones. The relatively high acidity of Asyrtico gives it a crisp freshness." WAS: $16.99 THIS WEEK: $9.99

August 14, 2015 from 5 - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 in West Asheville NC: Oktoberfest Beers FREE Beer Tasting. Oktoberfest beer is here. Come enjoy these fresh examples of an American take on a German Classic:

Festbier - Carefully crafted from German malts, decoction brewed for full flavor and carefully aged for depth of character. Gather with your friends for a festive moment of Victory.

Sierra Nevada -Working hand in hand with Brauhaus Riegele of Augsburg, Sierra Nevada created an authentic Oktoberfest beer. True to the roots of the festival, this beer is deep golden in color and rich with complex malt flavor from the use of traditional German Steffi barley.

Clawhammer Oktoberfest Lager - Working hand in hand with Brauhaus Riegele of Augsburg, Sierra Nevada created an authentic Oktoberfest beer. True to the roots of the festival, this beer is deep golden in color and rich with complex malt flavor from the use of traditional German Steffi barley. 

August 15, 2015 from 3 - 6 PM:  FREE Angeline Wines Wine Tasting: Angeline Pinot Noir; Angeline Chardonnay; Angelie Merlot. 10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

August 15, 2015 from 3 - 7 PM at Appalachian Vintner, 745 Biltmore Avenue Suite 121 in Asheville NC: Saturday Wine Tasting: Anne Kaufman, The Country Vintner. These wines are some of the grandest from the Italian countryside, each producer representing the best from their terroir. The Tasting Lineup: G.D. Vajra Langhe DOC Riesling;  Pètracine;  Cleto Chiarli Vecchia Modena Premium; Leyda Pinot Noir;  G.D. Vajra Barbera d’Alba DOC.

August 15, 2015 3 events at Round Peak Vineyard,   765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy NC. LAST Grillfest of 2015. Bring a picnic and enjoy a summer Saturday at the Vineyard. The grills are provided, you grill whatever you bring! Open 11 AM until sunset with tastings on the back deck, lawn games, and live music from 5-8 PM.  Jack's Crew Beer Club Party - If you also happen to be a beer club member, don't miss the summer beer club member party at the brewery in Elkin. Enjoy live music, food, and at least one special beer release. Not a member? You can join at the party...it is definitely worth it.   Vine & Dine Gala at BB&T Ballpark in Winston 5-9 PM. Lots of wineries, great food, and great music, all in a really cool place. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit www.surrywineries.com


Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Wine on Wednesdays - stop by every Wednesday from 4 PM to 8 PM to enjoy unique varietals, regional tastings and more. Free tastings with the purchase of $15 of food or $16 per person.

 

August 15, 2015 from 2 - 5 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - Classic French Wines Wine Tasting. Made by hard working farmers with traditional, artisan techniques, these are wines of immense appeal, heart, and soul. You drink them, they taste great, they don’t cost a ton of money, and you can feel good knowing that you’re helping a small farmer continue.

August 14, 2015 from  4 - 6 PM at  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings  every Friday.   The last Saturday of each month 4-8 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

August 15, 2015 from  2 PM - 5 PM at 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

August 15, 2015 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 West Main Street in Elkin NC - Live Performance by The Happy Ones. The Happy Ones are an Acoustic, Americana Rock Trio. They bring warm, smooth three part harmonies and add a rhythm section that you can move your feet to. Expect to hear creative originals and a great cover song selection ranging from The Eagle to Mumford & Sons from this North Carolina grown music Trio.


Brusin' Ales, 66 Broadway Street in downtown Asheville NC   Regular service this week.

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. Tasting room open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended for tastings and tours.  Sample wines and browse the gift shop featuring wine related and gourmet gift items. Thursdays live music at 8 PM. 

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.  Tasting room summer hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from Noon to 8:00. 

Carolina Heritage Vineyard and Winery,  170 Heritage Vines Way in Elkin NC - Open to the public for Tours and Tastings on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 PM to 6 PM and at other times by appointment – call (336) 366-3301 to schedule a time.

Elkin Creek Winery, 318 Elkin Creek Mill Road in Elkin NC,  Open for tastings Thursday through Sunday, 11 AM - 5 PM and other times by appointment. 

Grassy Creek Vineyard and Winery, Tasting Room Drive off of Klondike Road, 235 Chatham Cottage Circle, State Road, NC -  Tasting Room open Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays open 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. June through September: Saturdays open 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

McRitchie Winery and Ciderworks,   315 Thurmond PO Road in Thurmond NC - Tasting Room Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 10 AM to 5 PM, Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM.

Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC. Regular tour and tasting is offered daily departing every half hour. This includes a guided tour of the 33,000 square-foot winery with an overview of the winemaking process, a tasting of five wines, and a souvenir wine glass. $5 per person.  Retail hours are Monday-Saturday 10 AN.-6 PM., and Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM (Daylight Savings Time); Monday-Saturday 10 AM-5 PM and Sunday 12 PM-5 PM (Standard Time). Tours and tastings are offered daily. The winery is open every day of the year except New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. A variety of additional special tours are available - reservations are required, see the website for details.

South Creek Vineyard and Winery, 2240 South Creek Road, Nebo, NC  Open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 5 PM, Sundays from 1 PM to 5 PM through the year until January 1st. Tastings include the glass & are $6, $7 or $10 depending on the wines you choose. Music events are rain or shine and provided to South Creek Customers at no admission fee, unless it is a stated ticketed event.


Wedge Brewing Company, 125 B Roberts St. in the River Arts District, Asheville NC. Micro-brewery regular Hours: Monday to Thursday 4:00 PM till 10:00 PM, Friday 3:00 PM till 10:00 PM. Live music on select dates and outdoor cinema. 

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

Slightly Askew Winery, 913 North Bridge Street in  Elkin NC - Hours of operation: Thireday - Friday 1 PM - 6 PM; Saturday 12 PM - 6 PM; Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM

Stoney Knoll Vineyards, 1143 Stony Knoll Road in Dobson NC -  Tasting Room Hours: Regular hours March through December - Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Winter hours in January and February - Fridays 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Wine tasting: $7.00, Wine by the glass: $5.00. 10% Case Discount on Regular Prices (includes free wine tasting and glass)

Other Wineries and Vineyards:

Round Peak Vineyard,   765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy NC
Olde Mill Winery and Vineyards,  2742 Simpson Mill Road in Mount Airy NC

Brevard Music Center Welcomes Garrison Keillor and A Pairie Home Companion on the America the Beautiful Tour

August 15, 2015   Brevard Music Center Performance: A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor.  7:30 PM. Enjoy Garrison on the America the Beautiful Tour. A Prairie Home Companion, the beloved National Public Radio program hosted by Garrison Keillor, returns to Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium. 


As one of only a few cities across the country that will feature Keillor and company during his 2015 “The America the Beautiful” farewell summer bus tour,  Brevard NC and the Music Center performance marks one of the LAST opportunities for the public to experience A Prairie Home Companion with its original cast before Keillor's retirement. 

This event will also conclude the season's popular BMC Presents series, featuring non-classical programming that delights and inspires new audiences.  Tickets $25 - $85. 

 

NC State Annual Blue grass Festival this Weekend in Marian NC

August 13 - 15, 2015    41st Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival   Featuring dozens of bluegrass musicians.. Tickets are available at the gate or in advance by calling 706-864-7203. The event is held  "rain or shine" with performances under covered pavilion. 

The cafe will be serving breakfast and lunch, with hot food and other concessions also available. Bring your lawn chairs - no alcohol, smoking or pets in the performance area.

Monday Night Street Dances in Hendersonville NC

August 10. 2015       Street Dances   This weeks featured Band: Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition; Dancers: Lake Lure Cloggers   Hendersonville's Street Dances have been a tradition for 92 years.

The Street Dances feature   mountain heritage music and dance on Monday evening during the summer. Bring a chair and sit back, relax and enjoy mountain heritage music and dancing from 7:00-9:00PM. Seating area opens after 5:30.

Get links for lodging, attractions and dining on the Hendersonville NC Visitor Guide.

Mount Mitchell Craft Fair a Favorite Annual Mountain Arts Event

August 7 - 8, 2015     Mount Mitchell Craft Fair   Hundreds of vendors and thousands of visitors will participate in the 59th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair. The event takes place on the Town Square and surrounding streets. Handcrafters from all over the United States come to sell their wares including baskets, candles, kettle corn, pottery, stained glass, and so much more. 

Quilt squares appear not only on local barns and buildings but are for sale by some of the best quilters since Betsy Ross. Handmade clothes, purses, and vests, are just some of the items that adorn the beautifully decorated booths. There will also be homemade jams and jellies as well as Barbeque and Southern tea. 

The event is free to the public with bluegrass and cloggin entertainment throughout the day.

FInd links for complete local information on the Burnsville NC Visitor Guide. 

 

Art Walks this Friday in Asheville and Waynesville

August 7, 2015      Art After Dark   Downtown Waynesville NC galleries remain open for Art after Dark featuring demonstrations, artist receptions, and special music. Enjoy the Gallery Stroll from 6 PM - 9 PM with live music and great food. Free admission. Art After Dark happens the first Friday evening of each month from May until December.

August 7, 2015  Asheville Downtown Gallery Association Art Walk   Enjoy the fine art and craft of the Asheville Downtown Gallery Association and see on  of the reasons Asheville NC has been voted #1 small city in the country by the readers of American Style Magazine 2 years running. 20+ downtown venues participate with a complete  Downtown Gallery Guide and a map available at any participating downtown gallery, the Chamber of Commerce, or Pack Place.

 

88th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville NC this Weekend

August 6 - 8, 2015    88th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival   The nation’s longest running folk festival. The 88th annual edition of this three-day event showcases the best of the region’s old-time and bluegrass musicians, mountain dance groups, cloggers, and ballad singers. A different show is presented every night, beginning at 7:00 PM at Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place in downtown Asheville NC.

The Mountain Dance and Folk Festival showcases performances by hundreds of the Southern Appalachians' best traditional mountain musicians and dancers. Bound by the tradition of "Along About Sundown" these gatherings call to mind, and continue the tradition, of the era when local folks of all ages regularly gathered at the end of the day on front porches and the like, with fiddles, banjos and guitars in hand and dancing feet at the ready. Celebrate the treasured cultural heritage of Western North Carolina throughout the weekend, organized by Asheville's Folk Heritage Committee.

ICF Junior & U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships Begins Today At NOC in Bryson City BC

August 2 - 7, 2015    ICF Junior & U23 Wildwater Canoeing World Championships    The International Canoe Federation's wildwater canoeing world championships provides juniors and young adults with the opportunity to compete internationally in the wildwater discipline. Wildwater racing consists of indiduals and teams racing from one point on the river to another point. 

Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is a complete outdoor Outfitter. Opened in 1972, NOC has endeavored to share the wonders of the Nantahaloa River and the surrounding trails and forests through rafting, hiking, pedaling and paddling.

The Center now offers:

• Whitewater rafting on seven Southeastern rivers.
• World-class paddling instruction in whitewater and flatwater
• International paddling adventure travel
• Shopping for outdoor gear, apparel and souvenirs at the Wesser Outfitter's Store,  NOC Gatlinburg, and NOC at The Grove Park Inn
• A leadership institute for wilderness medicine and river rescue
• Fully-customizable group adventure programs
• Three distinct restaurants at our Nantahala Resort
• Guided activities like fishing, hiking, biking and climbing
• Bike rentals and repairs at our Bike Shop
• Lodging options for all tastes and budgets
• Festivals and events throughout the outdoor season

NOC operates trips on 8 different rivers and each of the rivers has a dedicated outpost with the "home base" located at 13077 Highway 19 West in Bryson City NC