Explore the Tastes of Tennessee
Local Wineries
During the late 1800's, vineyards were flourishing in Tennessee. However, in 1919 Prohibition put an end to Tennessee winemaking for many years. Tennessee winemakers did not recover as quickly as those in California and New York. In the 1978, the Farm Winery Act was passed, allowing Tennessee grape growers to make wine, sell up to 20,000 gallons (now increased to 40,000) on site, and allow taste testing at the wineries. We now have 23 wineries located throughout the state.
So, how does Tennessee wine taste? During the last decade, many Tennessee wineries have taken gold, silver and bronze regional and international awards for their wines. While sweet wines are most common in Tennessee, the wineries offer a wine for almost everyone, from champagne to dry wines to dessert wines. All wineries offer samples and many provide tours. Although I have had pretty good luck just dropping in, you may want to call in advance to verify hours or to make a reservation.
There are several wineries with tasting rooms in and near Nashville. There is also a full listing of Tennessee wineries.
Long
Hollow Winery Stu and Aldona Phillips (Yes,
THE Stu Phillips of Grand Ole Opry fame)
665 Long Hollow Pike, Goodlettsville, TN 37072
615-859-5559, Fax: 615-851-5656 Map to Winery
| The Long Hollow Winery
provides wine and cheese tasting daily. It is open Monday through Saturday,
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM and Sunday from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM. Long Hollow
Winery opened in 2001, it’s just a few miles from the Grand Ole Opry.
Wines: Vidal, Catawba, Roughon, Niagara, Chancellor, Chardonnay, Concord, White Muscadine, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Blackberry, and Riesling. Directions: From I-65, take Long Hollow Pike Exit 97. Go East for 1.2 miles. The winery is on your right. |
Sumner
Crest Winery & Vineyard
Ben O'Daniel
5306 Highway 52, Portland, TN 37148
615-325-4086. Fax 615-325-6360 Map
to Winery
| This is my favorite
local wine grower. Sumner Crest is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM
to 6:00 PM. Sunday 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Established June 1997, this tasting
room also sells antiques and has a 1929 Model A Ford fully restored on
display. Portland, Tennessee is well known for being the "Strawberry Capital"
of Tennessee. The winery is 30 minutes north of the Grand Ole Opry. Directions:
Take exit 117 off Interstate 65. Turn left off the exit ramp. Located
right of Shell Station. Wines: White Muscadine, Seyval, New Deal Sweet Red, Pioneer Blush, Steuben, Niagara White, Portland Strawberry Blush, Orlinda Gold (peach) Robertson King, and Sumner Queen. |
Beachaven
Vineyards & Winery
Louisa Cooke
I-24 at Dunlop Lane, 1100 Dunlop Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040
931-645-8867
| Beachhaven Vineyards
is open Monday - Saturday 9-7, Sunday 12-7, closed at 5:00 PM during the
winter. Tours are offered daily. Established in 1986, Judge Beach (who
pioneered legislation which allowed the return of commercial wineries),
Ed and Louisa Cooke founded Beachaven Vineyards & Winery LTD. This
winery is about one hour west of the Grand Ole Opry. Directions: I-24,
Exit 4, Clarksville; Turn R at the BP Station onto Alfred Thun Rd. Go
to end, then turn R into our drive. This is not one of my favorites, but
it is one of the best known Tennessee wineries. Wines: Estate grown award winning wines include: Seyval Blanc, Premier Blanc, Beachaven White, Peach Heaven, French Method Champagnes, Beachaven Red, Warioto Red, Golden Rose, Strawberry Fete', Beachaven Blush, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cumberland White, Muscadine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Blackberry, Port. |
Chateau
Ross Winery, Inc.
Deborah McIntyre or Ross Proctor
5823 Fulton Road, Springfield, TN 37172
615-654-WINE (9463) Map
to Winery
| Chateau Ross is a
small private winery and vineyard in beautiful Robertson County, just
six miles from the Kentucky state line and forty miles north of Nashville
off Interstate 65. This should be about an hour drive from the Grand Ole
Opry. Chateau Ross uses French and American Oak along with minimal fining
and filtering techniques to produce full bodied red wines. Private tours
and tastings are made by appointment only. Wines: The varietals include Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Syrah, Sangiovese, Barbera, Nebiollo, and Chancellor. They also have a small block of Chardonnay that is sold only at the tasting room. Directions: Traveling I-65 Northbound, exit 112, go west on 25 for 6 miles. Turn right on Henry Road, go 3 miles to the end of Henry Road. Turn right on 49, go 1/4 mile; turn left on S. Lamont Road. Go 1 1/2 miles, turn left on Roy Pearson Road, go 1 mile, turn right on Fulton Road, go 1/4 mile. Look for vineyard on the right. If you decide to go, you will travel through the small historic town of Cross Plains (Robertson County's first settlement) on 25. Every June, Cross Plains hosts a town yard sale. |
Brew Pubs, Microbreweries, and Beer Bars
Brewpubs
Big River Grille & Brewing Works
111 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37201
615-251-4677
This is not one of my favorites, but I checked the PubCrawler.com website and the reviews of their beer and food have improved. Big River is a “brew pub chain” operated by the Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group. There are about 6 different beers available at any given time. You can get a sampler of 6 beers for under $5.00 which is a great deal if you want to try everything they have available.Blackstone Restaurant & Brewery
1918 West End Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
615-327-9969
Upon entering the restaurant you have a good view of the entire brewing process thanks to a large windowed area. The atmosphere is very dark and woody. There is a variety of seating, including a “library” room with couches, coffee tables and fireplace to enjoy (though it probably won’t be burning in June). Blackstone has about 10 taps, and all are devoted to the house draughts. They offer a sampler of 6 beers for $6.25. Blackstone also has a full-service menu, with standard bar offerings such as artichoke dip, shepherd's pie and individual wood-fired pizzas. Located close to Vanderbilt, Blackstone has a private lot so parking is not usually a problem. In 2003, Blackstone was nominated as one of the best places for after work drinks by Nashville.citysearch.com.Boscos Nashville Brewing Company
1805 21st Ave. South
Nashville, TN 37212
615-385-0050
Located in the hip Hillsboro Village area, the atmosphere of this pub is trendy. Service is friendly. This brew pub features six standard beers, seasonal selections and always a brew offered on cask. You will find the menu is creative but also includes your standard pub fare. In my opinion, this brewpub has the best beer.Market Street Grille / Bohannon Brewing Company
134 N. 2nd Avenue
Nashville, TN 37201
615-259-9611
You will enter a room with lots of the dark wood; there is also a sunroom that overlooks the river. The Market Street menu features traditional English pub fare (bangers and mash, French-dip roast beef sandwich) as well as Cajun and German specialties. As for the beer, their most unique flavor is the vanilla-crème. Market street beers can be found in local grocery and beer stores under the brand name Bohannon. The pubcrawer.com website reviews range from lousy to great for this establishment’s overall quality.Yazoo Brewing Company
1200 Clinton Street
Nashville, TN 37203
615-320-0290
This is a brand new microbrewery. They do have a taproom which is open three days a week: Thursday – Friday 4:00-8:00 PM and Saturday 2:00-6:00 PM. The taproom offers a changing menu of snacks which include cheese, fruits and fresh bread. They serve four standard beers. It is extremely likely that the brewer will also pour your beer.
Beer Bars
Beer Sellar
107 Church Street
Nashville , TN 37201
615-254-9464
The motto of Beer Sellar is "50 taps, 150 bottles, and 1 bitchin' jukebox". The array of beer options is impressive. You can find the usual macros, but also some more unique draughts like Arrogant Bastard, Young's Double Chocolate, and Spanish Peak. Honestly, I’ve walked into this place twice and never stayed. The atmosphere of this bar is like it sounds; you enter and go down a flight of stairs. It has a pool table and video games. From the reviews on pubcrawler.com, the recommendation is to enjoy the beer, but stay away from the food.Broadway Brewhouse/Mojo Grill
1900 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203
615-321-3363
This is a fun little establishment (read: dive bar). I’ve been here a few times to see live music. The bar /patio has a great open air atmosphere. The Brewhouse has 100 bottles of beer on the wall and countless taps. It stands in back of the Mojo Grill and there's a hallway connecting the two. This is very close to the Vanderbilt campus and parking can be trickly.Flying Saucer Draft Emporium
111 10th Avenue South
Located behind the Union Station hotel
Nashville, TN 37203
615-259-PINT (7468)
This is my personal favorite for an after work beverage. It is located in the renovated former baggage building of Union Station, it proudly boasts over 75 beers on tap and an additional 130 bottled selections from around the world. An enclosed large porch offers a comfy ambiance. The menu leaves something to be desired, it has Germanic leanings: sausage and cheese platters, brats and wonderful soft pretzels. They do make a good sandwich or wrap. If you get into town early, you might want to take a group and try the Tuesday night trivia contest.