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Around The Vineyard
What winemakers have done for centuries is work Southern vineyards. Another unique sweet blend
with what they have. Whether it be the scarci-ty is the Cab Berry, a beautiful marriage of red wine
of materials or challenging terrains, they made it and blackberry wine. It is also worth mentioning
work. Even with small but mighty vineyards, the the combination of flavor profiles found in each
Tennessean winemaker’s hard work is apparent. signature wine. For example, the Southern Blush,
Wineries span the state from east to west, and to a dessert wine, is delicately infused with peach.
date, there are approximately 40 wineries. The The wines produced at this winery imbue a relaxed
wine produced here ranges from a smooth Merlot, sophistication that complements the easy going
rich flavored Cabernet Sauvignon and refreshing Southern sensibility.
Chardonnay to popular signature homegrown
blends Muscadine, Traminette, Catawba and Grinders Switch Winery
Chambourcin. Muscadine is a well-known wine
made from the oldest grapevine planted in the U.S., Sometimes a hobby can become more than you
and its grapes are also used to make jams and jelly. could have imagined. Grinders Switch owners Gail
and Joey Chesser describe their decade long suc-
Tennessee Wineries — a Southern Blend cess at their 7 acre vineyard as “a hobby out of
control.” The winery is located in Hickman County
Highland Manor Winery in middle Tennessee, a quaint and serene coun-
tryside. The winery holds up to 15,000 gallons of
If you are going to Tennessee to experience wine. If you cannot make it out to the country, the
Southern-made wine, you must start at the first Chesser’s opened up a location in Marathon Village
li-censed winery in this wine region, Highland amongst all the live music in downtown Nashville.
Manor Winery, near Jamestown. The array of Here you can enjoy wine in between a few live
wine produced at this winery is due to the varia- shows while exploring this vibrant city.
tion in microclimates and nutrient-dense soils that
al-low vines to grow with ease. It is family-owned
by Rhonda and Frederick Moody, who acquired it
from Frederick’s aunt and uncle Gertie and Butch
Campbell, who devoted a fortuitous 17 years to this
historic vineyard.
Aged for three years in an oak barrel, their
2015 Sintra, a silky sweet ruby wine with notes of
smokey caramel, will have you singing high notes.
The 2020 Vidal Blanc is a citrusy dry white wine
For a mid sized winery that has only been running with notes of tangerine and grapefruit. It is an
for 40 years, there is a vast selection of wines to excellent accompaniment for fresh caught grilled
enjoy. Their best seller, Muscadine, is made from fish. Grinder’s Switch also makes a Muscadine
the white Muscadine grape grown through-out called General I.
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