News

Cider, Wine & Dine weekend returns April 15-18

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 7, 2021

After a year’s hiatus due to the pandemic, Hendersonville’s Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend, a four-day event that welcomes visitors to drink, eat and celebrate the area’s wine and cider scene, is returning April 15-18. 

Nearly 60 events take place throughout the weekend including tastings, tours, live music, special wine releases and more. Many events are outdoors to allow for social distancing.

On Saturday, Stone Ashe Vineyards hosts a winemaker-led barrel tasting of its two red blends, which will be released for the first time this winter. Also on Saturday, Marked Tree Vineyard combines its expansive outdoor setting with its wines for Yoga and Rosé in the afternoon and a Sunset Soiree in the evening. Throughout the weekend, Sawyer Springs Vineyard invites visitors to taste wines and enjoy outdoor seating with vineyard views and a food truck.

In the summer of 2019 Henderson County received federal designation as Crest of the Blue Ridge American Viticultural Area and is now home to six wineries.

In addition to Marked Tree, Stone Ashe and Sawyer Springs, weekend participants include Appalachian Ridge Artisan Hard Cider, Bold Rock Hard Cider, Burntshirt Vineyards (locations in Hendersonville and Chimney Rock), Point Lookout Vineyards and Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards (locations in Hendersonville and Flat Rock).

“We were actually closed at this time last year, so we’re excited to start spring with Cider, Wine & Dine,” says Holly Oakley, of Burntshirt Vineyards, which offers tastings and live music at both locations, as well as winery tours in Hendersonville.

For cideries, the weekend coincides with apple blossom season, signaling the start of another crop. Appalachian Ridge serves breakfast in the orchard, surrounded by trees imported from Normandy, France, specifically to make European-style cider. Bold Rock holds live music performances all weekend in the cider garden, where you can enjoy a variety of Bold Rock’s craft ciders and dishes from the cidery’s food truck.

“Cider, Wine & Dine Weekend helps bring attention to the cider industry here in Henderson County,” says Lindsay Dorrier of Bold Rock. “With the abundance of apples, crafting hard cider here makes sense and honors the area’s agricultural heritage.”

Events are both free and ticketed. For a complete schedule and lodging options, call (800) 828-4244 or go to www.VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/Cider-Wine-Dine-Weekend