Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Wine, Dine and Feel So Fine

Blowing Rock Readies for the Second Annual Blue Ridge Wine Festival

Story by David Brewer

Nothing could be finer than to be in the mountains of North Carolina, especially if those mountains happen to be hosting the second annual Blue Ridge Wine Festival.

From Thursday, April 12, to Sunday, April 15, the town of Blowing Rock will again roll out the red carpet, so to speak, becoming the place to be for wine lovers in search of a wide array of wines to taste, ponder and savor.

Once again, festivalgoers will be treated to a unique series of enticing events including the Grand Cru Wine Tasting, Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge, Winemaker Dinners, VIP Charity Reserve Gala, wine seminars and much more.

Additions to the High Country’s biggest wine weekend include a much larger tent for the Grand Cru Tasting at Chetola; the High Country Writers Book Fair at the Green Park Inn; the Friday night gallery stroll; Sunday’s Champagne brunches at Canyons, the Blowing Rock Grille and the Broyhill Inn’s Jackson Dining Room; and Sunday’s commemorative performance at the Hayes Performing Arts Center featuring Fred Germann and the Jazz Y’all Stars.

Perhaps the most exciting addition to the Blue Ridge Wine Festival is the addition of a half-dozen new wineries joining the esteemed field, bringing the grand total to 19 participating North Carolina wineries.

For those looking to mix, mingle and schmooze while sipping their favorite new glass of vino, make plans to attend Thursday night’s VIP Charity Reserve Gala at Chetola. With a backdrop of live jazz by the Todd Wright Quartet, political heavyweights Virginia Foxx and Cullie Tarleton will be among the list of local dignitaries, winemakers and chefs on hand to uncork the festivities. The event is a black tie-optional affair.

If in addition to wine, you also thirst for knowledge, the Blue Ridge Wine Festival will again offer Johnson & Wales faculty-led seminars on pairing wine with chocolate, fruit and cheeses and on evaluating the scents and flavors of wine. Faculty members from Surrey Community College will lead seminars on viticulture at Hillwinds Inn.

Prior to the seminars, celebrity chef Suzie Blanchard will get Friday morning started with two cooking class sessions at Crippen’s Restaurant.

According to Charles Hardin, executive director of the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, the seminars will likely fill up quickly. Those wanting seats should make their way to the events early to guarantee a spot.

Wineries love nothing more than to see their wines come out on top at festival competitions. With a bigger field of wineries entering their prized vintages, blends, odds and ends, this year’s Thursday afternoon commercial competition will be hotly contested. Amateur winemakers will get their chance to shine on Friday afternoon. Both competitions will be held at the Meadowbrook Inn.

Fine dining spots in Boone, Blowing Rock and beyond will again team with winemakers for one-of-a-kind winemaker dinners on Friday night. Local chefs have created incredible, mouth-watering, multi-course meals to pair with a different wine for each delectable dish.

The Hayes Center will also get in the food activities this year, opening its 350-seat auditorium on Saturday afternoon for the second annual Fire on the Rock Chef’s Challenge. Styled after the famous Iron Chef TV show, the Chef’s Challenge will feature a handful of the High Country’s finest chefs in head-to-head cooking combat at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture is sponsoring the event.

Perhaps the biggest attraction of all is Saturday’s Grand Cru Wine Tasting at Chetola. According to Hardin, organizers are expecting close to 2,000 people for the five-hour event. Once again, live jazz will be provided by the Todd Wright Quartet as representatives from all 19 wineries pour their hard work by the glass for all to enjoy.

Artist and Blowing Rock regular Bob Timberlake will appear at the tasting from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., signing copies of his latest book in front of his 1930 Model A roadster.

If festivalgoers simply can’t get enough great wine and live jazz, the Hayes Center will host swinging drummer Fred Germann and the Jazz Y’all Stars on Sunday afternoon. Even more live jazz will be on tap at Meadowbrook later in the evening.

For out-of-towners making their way to the High Country for the Blue Ridge Wine Festival, several local inns are offering special wine festival packages including lodging, tickets to a winemaker dinner and other festival happenings.

Tickets for each festival event will be sold separately and can be purchased on site, in advance at the Blowing Rock Visitor’s Center or online at www.blueridgewinefestival.com. For more wine festival info, call the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce at 828-295-7851.