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

Mountain Spirits: FREE Beer and Wine Tastings in Asheville

January 30th 5-7pm at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC: Alex Buerckholtz and Howard Brewing FREE TASTING - 2014 Pro-Am winner, Winter White Kolsch. This delicately balanced Kolsch style beer is the results of Howard Brewing Company's first Pro-Am competition. Homebrewer Alex Buerckholtz crafted this example and took home the Best of Show prize. With subtle maltiness and a crisp finish, White Winter Kolsch is proof that not every winter beer needs to be A "Quintuple Extra Imperial Bourbon beer".

The Winter White Kolsch is available only at Hops and Vines in West Asheville in 6 pack cans and on draft. Samples are free,  Pints are $4.  Jason Howard will be on hand to talk about the release of all his year round beers now available in Asheville.

January 31st, 3-6pm: Free Wine Tasting of 3 French Wines.
Dom Antugnac, Chardonnay, 2013 - This organic, uno-oaked Chardonnay is redolent of fresh apple and honey with herbal notes. With a round center, the wine finishes with a crisp acidity and would pair beautifully with shellfish. $14.99
Patience, Merlot, 2013- Forget everything you thought you knew about Merlot! This organic wine is a charmer full of chocolate, ripe plums, coffee and sweet herbs. Super ripe and mineral, this is a wine to turn heads! $14.99
Altitudes, Cotes de Rousillon, 2013- A blend of Carignan, Grenache, and Syrah. Made from roughly equal proportions of its three constituent grapes, this wine exhibits a blend of vibrant fruit, spicy undertones and firm tannins, with characteristic.

10% off all featured bottles on Saturday.

Mountain Spirits: FREE Beer Tasting in Asheville

June 20, 5 PM - 7 PM at Hops and Vines: FREE Green Man Ales tasting including their new seasonal Wayfarer Session IPA - 

Green Man ESB - A malty amber ale boasting rich toasted and caramel flavors, Green Man ESB is an award-winning signature brew. A blend of authentic British malts and hops creates a nutty aroma, full body, and a sweet finish. Prepare yourself for a truly exceptional interpretation of a traditional English style.

Green Man IPA - Delectably hoppy with a properly balanced body. Generous hop additions give it a wonderful bitterness and pleasant floral nose, while the combination of traditional British malts creates a rich, satisfying flavor and alluring copper color. This authentic English-style IPA is Green Mans flagship ale.
Green Man Wayfarer - A crisp, refeshing session IPA, great for warmer weather drinking.

June 21, 3 PM - 6 PM FREE Sake Wine Tasting.  Join Bill from Tryon Distributing to taste 4 unique takes on both American and Japanese sake.

Karatamba-

Ozeki Karatamba is the masterpiece of the Tamba Toji (brewmaster). Their unique brewing method and technique produce this superb, dry and crisp sake. Ozeki Karatamba has a full-bodied, rich taste that feels smooth on the palate. This is the perfect sake to indulge yourself!

Yamadanishiki-

Ozeki Yamadanishiki uses Yamadanishiki rice—the best sake making rice (saka mai). The Yamadanishiki rice has a larger kernel, so even at the high rice polishing rate the rice is left with enough starchy core essential to producing a natural full-bodied flavor. Ozeki Yamadanishiki tastes clean and refreshing with a dry aftertaste. It pairs very well with with dishes such as steak and Teriyaki chicken.

Hana Awaka-

Ozeki Hana Awaka (Sparkling Flower) is a refreshing, fizzy, low-alcohol sake. This light, pleasant bubbly sake is just perfect as brunch and after-work drinks. Ozeki Hana Awaka has a mild sweetness and acidity. Serve very well chilled.

Ozeki Dry-

Ozeki Dry is one of the three sake products that Ozeki first brewed in California in 1979. Ozeki Dry sake is a dry sake with a refreshing fruity flavor and tastes best when served chilled. This is an excellent choice for first time sake drinkers due to its lower alcohol content and smooth taste. It pairs well with chicken, light Asian dishes, sashimi, sushi, and it can be also poured over fresh or grilled oysters to add a flavor. 

Get 10% off all wines featured during this tasting.

Hops and Vines is located at 797 Haywood Rd., Suite 100 in Asheville NC

Mountain Spirits: Free Wine and Beer Tastings at Hops and Vines

January 10, 5 PM - 7 PM:  FREE Beer Tasting. Ballast Point Brewing Company - Happy days.  Fresh Ballast Point beer is back, so Hops and Vines is offering a tasting while they're fresh and still stocked, pun intended.

The Tasting includes:
Sculpin IPA is a great example of what got us into brewing in the first place. After years of experimenting, we knew hopping an ale at five separate stages would produce something special. The result ended up being this gold-medal winning IPA, whose inspired use of hops creates hints of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors, but still packs a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish. 7.7% 70 IBU's
Dorado Double IPA immediately hooks you with massive hops that never stop. Mash hopping, kettle hopping and dry hopping makes this beer a serious hop lover’s prize catch. It’s an amazingly drinkable, award-winning beer that’s as beautifully balanced as it is big. 10% 90 IBU's
Calico Amber Ale takes its inspiration from traditional English ESBs. Four types of malts give it a bold complexity, and our proprietary yeast strain lends it a fruity, madeira-like richness. However, it’s the American hops that give this ale a distinct bite and floral aroma that have earned it just about every major beer medal.

January 11, 3 PM - 6 PM:  A new selection of wines at Hops and Vines:
Jovino Pinot Gris -Excellent example of what Oregon’s finest cool climate white varietal and handcrafted wines can deliver. The nose waifs out of the glass with herbacious-ness and fresh-cut green grass. The body is medium-plus with a slight perception of effervescence, making it clean and refreshing. Obvious ripe premium fruit source finishing with crisp acidity.

Gascon Malbec - This hand-harvested Malbec displays aromas of blackberry, plum, and a hit of mocha. This elegant wine has dark fruit flavors framed by plush tannins. Finely integrated characteristics of black pepper and maple combine to create a long, velvety finish.

Sant'Evasio Barbera d'Asti - Cantina Sant' Evasio represents modern winemaking from long standing traditions. The name comes from the chapel on the hill built in the 18th century, later destroyed in WWII. Barbera is their trademark grape and continues to represent outstanding value in today's times. This version from the town of Asti, is a deeply colored, bright red wine showing classic black cherry fruit with light ash, juniper berry and classic flavors.

And 10% off all featured wines on Saturday.

Hops and Vines is located at 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC

Mountain Spirits: Beer Tasting in Asheville

February 22, 5 PM - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Street, Ste, 100, Asheville NC: FREE beer tasting of Pisgah Brewing Seasonal releases.  Meet Jearmy Austin with Pisgah Brewing for debut their seasonal releases, a great opportunity to try some special/rare beers from Pisgah Brewing.

Pisgah Brewing Company describes these beers as:

Red Devil - This 9% Belgian-style ale was originally brewed to commemorate Pisgah's 200th batch. Packed with over one pound of cherries and raspberries per gallon, the Red Devil balances delicately between tart and not-too-sweet.
Valdez - Adhering to the strict philosophy of the Pisgah brewers, this mouth watering coffee stout is brewed just miles downstream from America's most beautiful watershed. Brewed with coffee beans from Dynamite Coffee Roasters, and weighing in at a respectable 6.8% abv, the aroma of fresh coffee leaps from the glass, and finishes slightly dry.
Cosmos - This is Pisgah's tribute to the Belgian tradition and our home-brewing roots. A combination of the rich flavor of a Baltic porter with the subtleness of a special Belgian yeast strain. Bottle-conditioned and aged for months, the authentic organic beer will cellar for years to come.
Benton's Bacon Stout - This year's Bacon Stout was specially brewed with hand selected ingredients chosen by the friends at Blind Pig Supper Club of Asheville. Using Benton's Smokehouse Farms bacon, Riverbend Malts and Coates Family Farms Sorghum Molasses. This one-of-a-kind stout is chock full of Bacon flavor, from the smokey first sip to the rich bodied finish. Officially known as Benton's Bacon Snout! IN THE TANKS NOW. Re-released on January 24th!