Mountain Spirits: NC Wine and Beer Tastings and Events for the Week of 11-5-15

November 5, 2015 from 5:30 - 8 PM at Maggie B's Wine and Specialty Store, 10 C South Main Street in Weaverville NC: Oak vs. No Oak Wine Tasting. Which do you prefer: the light, crisp, refreshing style of a wine that hasn't spent time in a wooden barrel, or the rich, woody, full body style that oak can impart? This week taste two different varietals; one that has been aged in oak barrels and the other that has not. Think you don't like wines aged in oak? You might feel differently after the tasting.

Deal of the week: Multi Cheddar Five single layers of traditional English cheese from five different counties in England, sweet aroma with a buttery texture. WAS: $18.99/lb. THIS WEEK: $12.99/lb.

November 5, 2015 - Asheville Brewing Company, 675 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville NC:  - Brews and Brains - Quiz for a Cause. Asheville Downtown Association Benefit Night in The Millroom. Farewell to the Mothership, Part III - Release date 11/5. The last brewed at the original Mothership brewhouse is the Shiva IPA. To make this final brew special, it was dry hopped with Columbus hops and fresh grapefruit was added. Citrus heaven! The beer that started it all is also celebrating the next chapter. Available on draft only at your favorite ABC location or at both the Merrimon Avenue and Coxe Avenue locations. November 6 - 12, Movies at 675 Merrimon: Minons 3D, Friday: 4pm Saturday-Sunday and Wednesday: 1pm and 4pm Monday-Tuesday and Thursday: 4pm; Mission:Impossible Rogue Nation - Friday: 1pm and 7pm Saturday-Sunday: 7pm Monday-Tuesday: 1pm and 7pm Wednesday: 7pm Thursday: 1pm. November 8 - Big Screen Football, Panthers VS Packers

November 6, 2015 from 5 - 7 PM at Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100 in West Asheville NC: FREE Beer Tasting - Lagunitas Brewing Limited.  Don't miss this opportunity to try these awesome limited beers from Lagunitas Brewing Co.: 
Born Yesterday is a newborn version of our re-born Pale, a Newer New Dogtown Pale with a fresh addition … We added some wet, Virgin, lupulin-drenched, un-kilned, whole-cone, fresh-picked-and-rushed-straight-from-Yakima hops for your immaculate reception. This wetter-than-wet beer has 11lbs-per-barrel of Amarillo, Equinox, Simcoe, Citra, Mosaic and Indigenous Catawampus. Whoa! 
Brown Sugga is our winter seasonal 6pk that falls into the realm of "Dangerously Slammable", this brew is especially irresponsible. Brown Shugga...How come you taste so good? 
SUCKS (Brown Shugga' Substitute Ale) This beer is a 'cereal medley' of barley, rye, wheat, and oats. Full of complexishness from the 4 grains, then joyously dry-hopped for that big aroma and resinous flavor.


November 7, 2015 from 3 - 6 PM:  FREE Wine Tasting - Featuring these three delicious reds form Argentina under $14, plus 10% off all wine from Argentina on Saturday. 

November 7, 2015 from 3 - 7 PM at Appalachian Vintner, Wine Tasting, free with the purchase of $10 or more. November 9- $1 off all draft beer noon to 7:30 PM.  November 11 - 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.  November 11 - Asheville Veterans Day Sale.

November 7, 2015 at Shelton Vineyards, 286 Cabernet Lane in Dobson NC:  Murder Mystery Dinner. A night of suspense, accompanied by a special meal prepared by Chef Paul. Come out and help solve the murder mystery during this interactive evening at the Harvest Grill. WThe event will be starting off outside with a glass of wine while the actors give the testimony for the evening. Then, participants will move inside to enjoy dinner and solving the mystery.

November 6, 2015  7 PM at  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Sheila Gordon performs with Piano, vocals - Pop, jazz, originals.  
November 7 at 7 PM -  Joe Cruz piano and vocals performing music of the Beatles, Elton John, James Taylor, Simon and Garfunkel.

 

November 7, 2015 from 2 - 7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - BIG, FREE Tasting - Pre-Thanksgiving Tasting. Sample 10 different wines suitable for turkey and ham pairings and family friendly

November 6, 2015 from  4 - 6 PM at  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings  every Friday.  November 7 from 12 -7 Free informal beer tasting.

November 7, 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

November 6, 2015 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 West Main Street in Elkin NC - Live Performance by New River Drifters.  
November 7 - Sicker and Jones performs live from 6 to 8 PM. A fantastic Piedmont blues duo of Danny Wicker (guitar, vocals) and Mel Jones (harmonica, vocals) came together in musical partnership out of a love for the blues of the Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Blake, Blind Boy Fuller and Elizabeth Cotten.
September 13 - Listening Room Concert with Rae Hering. Meet and greet with a pot luck dinner at 6:30 followed by the show. $10 donation to the artist.

November 4, 2015 at 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: 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

Mountain Spirits: WIne and Beer Tastings this week, 6-7-12

June 8,  5 - 7 PM   Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC.  FREE beer tasting: four taps on for free sampling and for purchase or donation by the pint. Highlights include Mark and Alex's American IPA, Alex's Double IPA,(both homebrewed) and for the lighter beer drinkers we'll have French Broad Kolsch and Sierra Nevada Summer Ale. Homebrewers are encouraged to bring beer to this tasting. 

June 9  , 3-6 PM - FREE Wine Tasting:   Portuguese Wines Portuguese wines offer quality at a great price. Come taste three great bottles of wine, all under $10! Broadbent Vinho Verde 20- Vinho Verde is easily one of our most popular styles of wine during the summer months. Conde Villar Vinho Verde Rose 2011 -This new wine in the shop will be a fun new wine to try for Vinho Verde lovers. Cone Villar Tinto 2011 - This red blend from the Vinho Verde region in Portugal delivers a great value.

June 8, 4-7 PM at  Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC -  Friday Winedown -  Banshee and Rickshaw Wines - sample the entire lineup of wines from one of the hottest California-based producers in the US. Banshee Wines are absolutely blowing up all over the country.  Started by three friends, Banshee owns no vineyards of its own but works in lock-step with high-end vineyard owners and wineries to produce wines of depth, purity and balance.  They purchase really good fruit and sometimes finished barrels of wine and blend these lots together to create expressive wines that taste like they cost a lot more than they do.  $5 per person, free for Grape Nuts.

June 9,  noon to 6 PM, RagApple Lassie Vineyards, 3724 RagApple Lassie Lane, Boonville NC   Sample the estate grown wines including Kaleidoscope Red, enjoy the live music of Gray Matter, have lunch in The Back Door Café, tackle the new jigsaw puzzle, or just relax on the patio  June 10 - Open Mic, a benefit for Yadkin Christian Ministries and Surry Community College Student Emergency Fund. All entertainers, musicians, poets or comedians are welcome to share your talents on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. Registration will begin at 2:00 PM.

June 9,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday.  - The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

June 9,   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. A local distributor will pour a few new wines from their portfolio. No reservations required and there will be special pricing on the wines sampled.
June 13, 7 PM  Spanish Reds and Whites Tasting   Taste 3 whites and 6 reds from various regions in Spain. Spain continues to produce some of the most outstanding value wines in the world. $20.  Call 254-6500 to reserve a spot!


June 9, 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.

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

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

Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer this week, January 26

Jan 27, 5 - 7 PM Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC - Olde Hickory Brewing, Hickory NC Beer Tasting:  Death by Hops - Winner of the first Olde Hickory ProAm. Ruby Lager - A deep amber hue invokes a refreshing taste in this smooth brew; Appalachian Ale - Originally brewed for Peabody's bottle shop in Boone, NC this smooth drinking "American Blonde" has quickly become one of our favorites at the store.  Jan 28, 3-6 PM - FREE Wine Tasting: La Playa Wines from Chile. La Playa Chardonnay "Un-Oaked" 2011- La Playa's estate is found on the sandy beach-like banks of the Tinguiririca River in Chile's Colchagua Valley;  La Playa Cabernet Sauvignon 2010- La Playa is sustainably grown and committed to respecting the environment;  La Playa "Block Selection" Carmenere 2009 - Hand picked from La Playa's most selective block of grapes, and aged in French and American Oak for 12 months, this is a wonderfully rich and complex Carmenere.

Jan 27, 7 PM until,  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Friday Night Live music with Michael Pilgrim and his friends performing with his jazz mandolin

Jan 27, 4 - 7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC -First Winedown of the year welcomes Sour Grapes Distributing and company co-founder and partner Devon Price to the store for a sampling of nine wines from all over the world.  Cost is $5/person or free if you're a Grape Nut.  Jan 21, 2-5 PM - FREE Weekly Wine Tastings: Sample Four Artisan Wines - a "Try Before You Buy" tasting featuring 4 great and affordable wines.  February 9 - There are 20 spots left for the wine and chocolate tasting, featuring six wines (average retail of $30) paired with six different handmade truffles from Blue Moon Chocolatier.  RSVP and pre-payment are required, and this one is filling up fast, so call  at 828.505.8588 to reserve your spot for this seated tasting.

Jan 27, 6 PM - 8 PM, at Divine Wine, 1011 Tunnel Road East Asheville NC . Friday Wine Tastings - It’s not just a tasting, it’s a party and you’re invited. Complimentary tastes of special wines, along with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres. Be sure to try the weekly special wines by the glass, or a cold, frothy, draft brew from the bar.

Jan 27,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday. Jan 28 - The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

Jan 28, 3 PM   RagApple Lassie, 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane Boonville NC - Wine and Cheese Pairing: Chef Jeff Taylor, formerly of the Homestead in Timberlake, will tantalize your taste buds. Enjoy sampling  six Ragapple Lassie wines  each paired with the perfect cheese!   Awesomely good, plus wonderfully educational. Call 1-866-RagApple for reservations. $20.00 per person; Wine Club members, $15.00.

Jan 28,   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.

Jan 28, 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.

Jan 28  , 11 AM - 5 PM  PM at Falderal Winery, 131 3rd Ave, Hendersonville NC.  Free tasting -  Regular Saturday Wine Tasting with all wines made on the premises.

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

Mountain Spirits: Wine and Beer this week, January 19

Santé Wine Bar, The Grove Arcade, Asheville NC - NOW serving wine on tap. Stop in Santé Wine Bar and ask what's on tap.  Santé has joined a growing number of restaurants and drinking establishments that have kegs of wine behind their bars and are pouring wines by the glass from a tap.  The trend is not a new one, but its time has come as wineries, restaurants and consumers discover that the wines are good and there are economic and environmental benefits to kegs.  Keg wines are fresh and delicious - try them for yourself. Jan 20, 5-8 PM - Live at the Grove Arcade: a new series featuring free local music taking place the third Friday of January, February and March with Motownblue performing this Friday.


Jan 19, 5 - 7 PM, Brusin' Ales, 66 Broad Strteet, Asheville NC - Pale Horse Brewing - get a little taste of the Pacific Northwest. Hillbilly Blonde: A crisp, refreshing, light ale suitable for any occasion.; Hopyard Dog IPA: Brewed with a well balanced blend of malts and Cascade hops, Hopyard Dog IPA has an authoritative but pleasant bite; Pale Horse Export Stout: Obsidian in color with deep garnet hues, aroma and flavor carrying hints of coffee and chocolate, Pale Horse Export Stout is a carefully crafted balance between smooth sweetness and smoky hop bitterness.; Pale Horse Winter Seasonal (Heavy Scotch Ale): A deep lustrous brown with hints of woodsmoke, cedar and dark fruits such as raisins and plums in the aroma.


Jan 20, 5 - 7 PM Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd, Ste 100 in Asheville NC. Duck Rabbit Brewing: The self proclaimed "Dark Beer Specialist" is the featured brewery with tastings of their new Limited Release Baltic Porter along with some favorite year round offerings. Duck-Rabbit Porter is very dark in color. This robust porter features a pronounced flavor of roasted grains reminiscent of dark chocolate; Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout is a traditional full-bodied stout brewed with lactose (milk sugar); Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter is deep, rich and velvety soft. A full blooded roasty character is balanced by complex alcohol notes. Jan 21, 3-6 PM - Affordable, Fine Rhone Wines: Ferraton Cote du Rhone Blanc 2009- Many of us drink less white wine in the wintertime, but this white wine from the Rhone Valley in Southern France has enough body and depth to cozy up to on a cold evening;  Domanie Couroulu Vin de Pays de Vaucluse 2009- Domaine Couroulu owns vineyards just outside the Vacqueyas appellation in the Southern Rhone Valley; Saint Cosme Cote du Rhone 2010- Saint Cosme is located north of the village of Gigondas. Its wine intensely aromatic with notes of smoked meat, wild raspberry, and black peppercorn, is a structured powerhouse with finesse.

Jan 20, 7 PM until,  Classic Wine Cellar, 20 Church Street, Waynesville NC - Friday Night Live music with Ed Kelly and Chris Minick performing popular music and original compositions.
Jan 20, 4 - 7 PM at Table Wine, 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC - 545 Tasting - Blind Grenache Tasting: From France to Spain to California, Grenache is one of the most prolific grape varieties in the world.  4-7 PM - Friday Winedown - With Sour Grapes Distributing: Sample 8 wines from all over the world with light palate cleansers. Sour Grapes' focus is on naturally made wines from small family owned and operated wineries. $5 per person, free for Grape Nuts.  Jan 21, 2-5 PM - FREE Weekly Wine Tastings: Every Saturday a"Try Before You Buy" tasting featuring 4 great and affordable wines.

Jan 20, 6 PM - 8 PM, at Divine Wine, 1011 Tunnel Road East Asheville NC . Friday Wine Tastings - It’s not just a tasting, it’s a party and you’re invited. Complimentary tastes of special wines, along with an assortment of hors d’oeuvres. Be sure to try the weekly special wines by the glass, or a cold, frothy, draft brew from the bar.

Jan 20,  4 PM - 7 PM  LaBouteille, 10 N Trade St, Suite A Tyon NC - Complimentary Wine Tastings every Friday. The last Saturday of each month 3-5 pm is a 10 beers for $10 beer tasting. Bring a dish of food to share.

Jan 21, 4-8 PM at Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville NC - Free wine tastings Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Jan 21,   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.

Jan 21, 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.

Jan 21  , 4 PM - 8 PM  PM at Falderal Winery, 131 3rd Ave, Hendersonville NC.  Free tasting -  Regular Saturday wine Tasting from 11 AM - 5 P. From 3-6 PM Home Wine Making Class - learn the ins and outs of home winemaking plus a free tasting.  5:30 - 7:30 PM -  Hoops n Wine: Hooping Hearts, an Asheville-based nonprofit hoola-hooping company promoting heath hearts. Falderal will provide the wine as participants "hoop". Limited clas size so RSVP. $10 cost with some proceeds benefiting Hooping Hearts.
Jan 23, 6 PM at  The Purple Onion, 16 Main Street, Saluda NC - An exploration of some of California's most affordable cuvée: begin with three whites which include blends of Gewürztraminer, sauvgnon blanc and chardonnay as well as some of the Rhône's exotic white varieties, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. The four reds which follow feature the Rhone varietals grenache, syrah and mourvedre and the fab five Bordeaux varieties. (That's cab, merlot, cab franc, petit verdot and malbec not King, Rose, Webber, Jackson, and Howard). The price for the tasting will be $45 and includes a taste of seven wines listed below and a buffet of hors d'oeuvres and artisan cheeses chosen to pair well with the wines. Reservations can be made by calling the Purple Onion at 749-1179.

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