Three full days of events are on tap at Hendersonville’s cideries and wineries during the inaugural Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, April 20-22.
The weekend shines the spotlight on agritourism in the region. More than 40 events allow guests to tour cideries, meet winemakers, hike through orchards, listen to live music, and indulge in special dinners at wineries and tasting rooms.
“This is designed for people to experience our orchards, vineyards and farm country during apple blossom season,” says Michael Arrowood, event coordinator for the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority. “We want them to have conversations with the cider and wine makers, and discover the beautiful settings where these products are made.”
Participating venues include three cideries, Appalachian Ridge, Bold Rock Hard Cider and Flat Rock Ciderworks, and three wineries, Burntshirt, Point Lookout and Saint Paul. Saint Paul’s new Flat Rock tasting room will also host events.
The festivities begin Friday, April 20, with guided tours of Burntshirt Vineyards and a bottle signing with winemaker Preston Thomas. Folks can also hike the orchard at Appalachian Ridge Artisan Cider and tour the vineyard at Hendersonville’s newest winery, Point Lookout.
Friday evening kick-off celebrations include a low country boil with wine, cider, music and dancing at Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards, and a music event at Bold Rock Hard Cider’s taproom.
Saturday brings a food truck festival to Bold Rock with some of Western NC’s best mobile eateries. Visitors can tour the apple-pressing barn and listen to music while sipping cider made with local apples. Point Lookout Vineyards also hosts live music, as well as wine and mead tastings.
“We’ve always had a strong agriculture base,” Arrowood says. “The cideries and wineries have become a new way to bring that industry from our fields to your glass.”
Also Saturday, Flat Rock Ciderworks serves up barbecue and music in its downtown tasting room, and that night Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards hosts a sparkling-wine tasting under the stars.
Sunday caps the weekend with brunches at Flat Rock Ciderworks and Bold Rock. Saint Paul’s Flat Rock tasting room serves mimosas made with hard cider, and Burntshirt Vineyards allows visitors to blend their own white wine.
Weekend events are both free and ticketed. For a complete listing and lodging options, call (800) 828-4244 or go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org.
