Destinations2015 Fall

An Advertising Section

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CONTENTS Wine getaways...........................

There’s a chill in the air summer Thankfully, our Middle Tennessee temps drop lower and ily da the as d an ld, mi rly fai n bee has hts turn to fall road trips and the evenings become cooler, our thoug eresting wineries to visit, some holiday travel. We found several int to visit for the holidays. ces pla w ne d an t ou ck che to als tiv fun fes the ride; we think you’ll find for ng alo ing com joy en u yo e hop We ion. some great ideas for your next excurs Happy travels!

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Fall into a fun festival vacation...................

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Time to hit the holiday road..........................

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PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Laura Hollingsworth VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Dan Krolczyk ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Emily Daniel ADVERTISING WRITER/EDITOR Diane Hughes GRAPHIC DESIGNER Crystal Elliott

Steve Kaufman Guitar & Mandolin Workshops

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* Guitar Workshop (all levels) Friday, November 13th 7-9 pm & Saturday, November 14th 9:30 am- 3:30 pm- $95 per person * Mandolin Workshop Sunday, November 15 1-3:30 pm (beginner & intermediate)- $50 per person

Experience a luxurious vacation at North Florida’s AAA Five-Diamond Resort. Book the Fall Escape Golf Package and enjoy luxurious accommodations and unlimited golf on two challenging 18-hole courses. After an afternoon of golf, savor exquisite dining at one of our oceanfront restaurants or unwind at the award-winning spa.

Classes will be held at historic Fiddler’s Grove in Lebanon, Tennessee

Concert on Saturday, November 14, 7pm The Capitol Theatre

To book your vacation, call 844-232-1926 or visit PonteVedra.com *Rates subject to availability. Resort fee and taxes extra. Cart fees are

through December 15, 2015.

2 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

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For Tickets: www.capitoltheatretn.com Class Registration: 615-453-9655 terrimerryman@visitwilsoncounty.com

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Or call 270.522.3892 for more information DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | 3

Time to ‘wine’ down summer

As September slips away and we prepare to turn the page to October, it’s time to say goodbye to summer heat and hello to the crisp fall air. And what better way to do that than a weekend wine getaway?

Delta Blues Winery in Lakeland, Tenn. COURTESY OF JIM WILLIS 4 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

WINE DAY TRIPS

By DIANE HUGHES Tennessean Custom Publications

Whether you prefer the bouquet of a fullbodied red, the crispness of a dry white or the sweetness of a muscadine, there’s a Tennessee vineyard to make your cup runneth over. Just get thee to the Wine Trail of West Tennessee, where you’ll find a variety of wines — red, white, sweet, dry, fruity and more — to sate your taste for the fruit of the vine.

The Wine Trail of West Tennessee includes seven vineyards on a route that stretches roughly from Paris to Millington (near Memphis). There are a number ways to plot your route, visiting one or all of the wineries on the trail. Starting at the westernmost point on the trail in Millington, here’s a roundup of what you’ll find at each one.

No time for a weekend or weeklong wine excursion? You’re in luck, because there are a number of vineyards in Middle Tennessee that make for a pleasant fall daytrip. Plan an excursion to one of these nearby wine destinations.

ARRINGTON VINEYARDS

6211 Patton Road, Arrington 615-395-0102 www.arringtonvineyards.com Founded by Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn fame, this noted winery is situated south of Nashville in Arrington. Set among rolling hills, the vineyard is known for its “Music in the Vines” events that run from April through November. Open daily.

OLD MILLINGTON WINERY

6748 Old Millington Road Millington, Tenn.

(901) 873-4114 www.oldmillingtonwinery.com Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Offerings include: Sweet watermelon, award-winning blackberry, muscadine, port, dry whites, semi-dry whites and dry reds.

Located about 14 miles from downtown Memphis, this winery was founded in 2000.

Visitors may sample four wines for no tasting fee. The venue hosts live music outside on Sunday afternoons in spring and fall (small admission charge), but that usually winds down around mid-October. The Annual Winefest is set for Oct. 4. And you’re always welcome to bring a picnic to the vineyard and enjoy the view while you sip some Old Millington wine.

DELTA BLUES WINERY

6585 Stewart Road Lakeland, Tenn.901-829-4685 www.deltablueswinery.com Closed on Mondays.

Offerings include: chardonnay, chambourcin, sangiovese, muscadine and peach.

This vineyard is the brainchild of two couples who’d traveled the wine country of Sonoma and Napa and decided they wanted to bring that experience to Tennessee. The $5 tasting fee for five wines is applied to your purchase. Bring a picnic and take a tour (time permitting). The venue features live music on occasion, from rock to blues to bluegrass, in addition to festivities like “Vampires in the

FILE / TN MEDIA

BEACHAVEN WINERY Vineyard” (for Halloween) and their “Wine, Women and …” series of events.

DE TERRA VINEYARD & WINES

605 Joyners Campground Drive Somerville, Tenn.

901-606-3390 www.deterrawinery.com Closed on Mondays.

Offerings include: cabernet/chambourcin blend, cayuga/chambourcin blend, both red and white muscadine.

The Claxton family began farming this land in the early 1800s. Since 2014, Jerry and Teresa Pentz have been growing noble, muscadine and other grapes to create wines like Lucy Red and Polly White, named for Thomas Jefferson Claxton’s granddaughters.

CENTURY FARM WINERY 1548 Lover Brownsville Road Jackson, Tenn.

731-424-7437 www.centuryfarmwinery.com Open seven days a week.

> > WINE, 6

1100 Dunlop Lane, Clarksville 931-645-8867 www.beachavenwinery.com Established in 1986 by Judge William O. Beach with the help of his son-in-law, Edward Cooke. Since the judge’s death in 1991, the Cooke family has carried on the family’s business legacy. Open seven days a week. Free “Jazz on the Lawn” events through October.

BEANS CREEK WINERY

426 Ragsdale Road, Manchester 931-723-2294 www.beanscreekwinery.com Opened in 2004, this winery is operated by nine local families and led by Tom Brown — who began his winemaking career in his mom’s kitchen in 1976 after deciding he’d rather not let his parents’ heavy-laden grapevines “go to the birds.” Open daily. Red, white, sweet and fruit wines, port and sparkling.

NATCHEZ HILLS WINERY

109 Overhead Bridge Road, Hampshire 931-285-2500 www.natchezhills.com Located southwest of Nashville and just west of Columbia, Natchez Hills hosts music events into November. There’s also a painting class scheduled. The winery will host the Vines & Vintage Wine Festival at Rippavilla Plantation in nearby Spring Hill on Oct. 24. Visit their satellite tasting room at Fontanel, north of Nashville in White’s Creek.

DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | 5

PARIS WINERY

>> WINE, FROM PAGE 5

Offerings include: chardonel (a blend of Seyval and Chardonnay), traminette (a blend of seyval and gewürztraminer), muscat, blackberry, peach and more.

This vineyard sits on a family-owned Tennessee Century Farm (that means it’s been in the same family for at least 100 years). While making wine started as a hobby for the owners, it soon turned into a business.

If you hit them this coming weekend, you can enjoy the season’s last installment of Music in the Vineyard on Sept. 26. Whenever you visit, be sure to bring a picnic, and pick up some locally made cheeses and meats to enjoy while you’re here.

CROWN WINERY & HRH VINEYARDS

3638 East Mitchell St./Highway 152 E. Humboldt, Tenn.

731-784-8100 www.crownwinery.com Open Thursday through Sunday.

Closed on Mondays.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays by appointment only.

Offerings include: medium-bodied reds, semi-dry whites, strawberry and their own sangria blend.

Set in a Tuscan-style villa, this vineyard is a beautiful backdrop for special events, weddings and private parties. The building is eco-friendly and solar-powered. There’s also an outdoor fireplace, patio, pavilion and amphitheater. Stop in for Wine Down & Beer Up on Fridays through Oct. 2; there’s also a Wine Down event set for Halloween.

Century Farm Winery in Jackson, Tenn. COURTESY OF

CENTURY FARM WINERY

WHITE SQUIRREL WINERY

4385 45 W. Kenton, Tenn.

731-796-1713 www.whitesquirrelwinery.com Open Friday, Saturday & Sunday only.

Offerings include: Blush, chardonel, chambourcin, Norton, peach and muscadine.

This winery no doubt takes its name from Kenton’s claim of being home to “the largest colony of albino squirrels.” After years of growing grapes for Tennessee wine makers, the Sanderson family decided to open their own winery. They opened their tasting room in 2014. The venue is available for special events and also hosts a “Music in the Vines” series.

Two music events are scheduled for the month of October, including a Halloween party. Stop in to sample their wines and check out the line of jams, salsas and sauces.

White Squirrel Winery in Kenton, Tenn. COURTESY OF KARY PARCHMAN 6 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

2982 Harvey Bowden Road Paris, Tenn.

731-644-9500 www.pariswinery.com Open seven days a week.

Offerings include: strawberry, peach, blackberry, green apple, sangria, muscadine, plus a variety of whites (including pinot grigio) and reds (including merlot and malbec).

Opened in 2008, this winery offers beautiful views from its Venetian-style tasting room. Set in what was once a cornfield, Ruggero and Lisa Ciarrocchi transformed their acreage by planting 5,500 grapevines and now offer 26 wines. The site is a perfect setting for weddings, receptions, hen parties and other special events. ___________________________________________ It may not be Napa, Sonoma or Willamette, but West Tennessee has much to offer the curious oenophile.

So we invite you to pack your sense of adventure and discover some new wines — along with some parts of Tennessee you might not have seen before. This trail is perfect for a gals’ getaway or a romantic weekend with your significant other. And if you guys out there are game for a Sideways-type adventure (with the wine but not the drama), you might enjoy it, too.

IF YOU GO

Learn more about the West Tennessee Wine Trail at www.winetrailofwesttn.com. As always, please drink responsibly. It’s wise to appoint a designated driver and/or allow plenty of time between tastings.

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Fall festivals are a great vacation starter

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALPINE HELEN-WHITE COUNTY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

By DIANE HUGHES Tennessean Custom Publications

We all have our passions. Whether it’s music, beer, food or some other object or pastime that holds our fascination, what better way to celebrate our passions than attending a festival devoted to the thing we love.

Our research turned up a few fall festivals that might strike your fancy. Some celebrate things you might expect (beer and food, for example), but we also uncovered some events dedicated to atypical pursuits. Consider this an opportunity to indulge in a current passion or discover a new one. And while you’re there, take a little time to explore the area around the festival.

Here’s a sample of our festival harvest.

10 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

OKTOBERFEST Helen, Georgia Daily through Nov. 1 Break out your Lederhosen and come prepared to dance the Polka. This festival, which claims to be “the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States,” includes everything a lover of German beer and culture could ask for. Enjoy all the beer and brats you can put down, along with German-style music performed by bands from across the globe.

It’s all set in the charming town of Helen, Ga.,

which is modeled after a Bavarian village but set at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia. This small Alpine-themed town is filled with shops, restaurants and dining opportunities.

Also in the area: Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia and Hardman Farm (known for its gazebo-topped Indian mound). $8 admission Monday-Friday, $10 on Saturdays, free on Sundays.

www.helenga.org, www.helenchamber.com

COURTESY OF GEORGIA APPLE FESTIVAL

2015 APPLE FESTIVAL/ ARTS AND CRAFTS SHOW Ellijay, Georgia Oct. 10-11, Oct. 17-18 Georgia may be famous for its peaches, but at this festival, the apple is king. The 44th annual Apple Festival will feature more than 300 vendors with handcrafted and other items. You’ll also find craft demonstrations, an antique car show, a parade and a pie contest.

Also nearby: Celebrate another fruit while you’re in the area — the grape. There are a few vineyards in the vicinity, plus a number of orchards with fresh produce. Other activities in the area include ziplining, fishing, hiking, biking. $5 admission for adults; children under 10 free.

www.georgiaapplefestival.org www.exploregeorgia.org/city/ellijay

COURTESY OF SOUTHSIDE SENTINEL

URBANNA OYSTER FESTIVAL Urbanna, Virginia Nov. 6-7 While you’ll find plenty of oysters on the menu here, you can also feast on crab, shrimp, clams, hot dogs and more. Organizers expect more than 50 food vendors to be on hand for this event. You can shop for fine goods at the Festival Village, where you’ll see everything from stained glass to sculptures to jewelry. There’s an oyster-shucking contest, a parade, an

antique car show, craft demonstrations (baking, candlemaking, weaving, etc.) plus a wine tasting featuring local wines. While you’re in this historic seaport, be sure to soak up some of the local history with a selfguided walking tour or a visit to the historic Colonial county courthouse, one of just 11 that still remain in the state of Virginia.

www.urbannaoysterfestival.com www.urbanna.com

COURTESY OF CUCALORUS / ANDREW BUNTING

COURTESY OF KITES UNLIMITED

CAROLINA KITE FEST Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Oct. 24-25 Whether you’d like to fly a kite yourself or just enjoy the view, this free festival is definitely a way to reconnect to the kid in all of us. In addition to seeing more than a hundred kites lofting on the breeze above the beach, you can also catch kite-flying demonstrations or participate in a night fly. Mass ascensions of box kites, deltas, dragons and skimmers make for quite a show. Be sure to bring a camera — and your childish sense of won-

der. Candy drops and kite-building at the event are designed to appeal to the real kids who attend.

With beautiful Atlantic Beach as a backdrop, you’ll enjoy more than the view in the sky. Located on the barrier island of Bogues Banks, Atlantic Beach offers plenty of opportunities for fun and recreation.

Visit Fort Macon Park. Go fishing. Book a parasailing adventure. Take a hike or rent a bike. Or … just go fly a kite.

www.emeraldisle-swansboro.com/carolinakite-festival.html, www.crystalcoastnc.org

CUCALORUS FILM FESTIVAL Wilmington, North Carolina Nov. 11-15 If you’re that person who always hosts an Oscar party, someone who frequents art-house theaters or are a lover of indie films, this is the festival for you. For four days in November, Wilmington becomes an epicenter for independent films, documentaries and shorts.

Films are screened at several venues within walking distance, all in the downtown historic district. Topics of this year’s films range from rural poverty and college hazing to romantic comedy and the search for long-lost first love. Jengo’s Playhouse, a quirky, pastel-painted

multimedia art center, serves as headquarters for the festival. Before, in between or after your film viewing, there’s a lot more to see in Wilmington. Visit the Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River where you’ll find riverboat cruises, waterfront dining and boutique shopping. Tour the World War II battleship North Carolina, visit historic homes, the maritime museum, the Cape Fear Museum of Science and History or the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design. By the way, Cucalorus is Greek for “the dance of the shadows.”

www.cucalorus.org www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | 11

Time to hit the HOLIDAY ROAD

By DIANE HUGHES

Tennessean Custom Publications

If you’ve lived in the Nashville area for a while, at some point you’ve probably ventured over to Gaylord Opryland Hotel to immerse yourself in the lights, decorations and holiday festivities (bit.ly/ACountryChristmas). It’s a great way to spend time during the holiday season. If you enjoy Opryland at Christmastime — and if you’re game to travel during the holiday season — we found a few other locations you might want to visit.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HUNTSVILLE BOTANICAL GARDEN

12 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

GALAXY OF LIGHTS Huntsville Botanical Garden Huntsville, Alabama

Experience this light extravaganza by car or on foot.

There’s a magical icicle forest, animated light displays, Santa in flight and other seasonal decorations. It’s a fun holiday experience for the kids and for the young at heart. Walking Nights are Nov. 13-16 and Nov. 20-24. Driving Nights start on Thanksgiving Day and continue through Jan. 3 (except Nov. 30 and Dec. 1).

While you’re in Huntsville, be sure to visit the EarlyWorks Children’s Museum, billed as “the South’s largest hands-on history museum.” There are plenty of opportunities here for kids to learn while having fun.

The museum is also home to Santa’s Village (at Alabama Constitution Village) from Thanksgiving through Dec. 23. Visitors can decorate gingerbread cookies, visit the home of Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy snow flurries every evening and explore an entire village decorated to mimic a long-ago Christmas.

Get tickets to the Sanders Family Christmas (Dec. 16-20), a down-home stage production set on Christmas Eve in 1941 and performed at Burritt on the Mountain, a unique venue that includes a mansion, exhibits, a park, hiking trails and more. It’s the former home of Dr. William Burritt, a doctor and inventor who donated his estate to the city. The site is also host to Kris Kringle’s Candlelight Christmas (Dec. 4-5).

The house and grounds are decorated for the season, with hot cider, figgy pudding and other treats available. Kids can string popcorn, make ornaments or craft cards. And, of course, there’s a visit from Kris Kringle himself.

www.hsvbg.org, www.earlyworks.com www.burrittonthemountain.com. > > HOLIDAY, 14

Alpharetta and Roswell, Georgia invite you to join us in our towns this FALL between September and November for the ultimate getaway of festive fun and adventure.

34

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We look forward to seeing you soon!

Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau Phone: 770-640-3253 | toll-free: 800-776-7935

Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau Phone: 678-297-0102 | toll-free: 800-294-0923

Visit fallinnorthfulton.com for a complete up-to-date list of events, activities, attractions and dining options to enjoy during your visit this FALL! DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | 13

>> HOLIDAY, FROM PAGE 12

MAGIC CHRISTMAS IN LIGHTS Bellingrath Gardens & Home Mobile, Alabama

From Nov. 27 through Jan. 2, Bellingrath Gardens & Home in Mobile is transformed into a wonderland of lights and displays that extend throughout the house and across the 65 acres that make up this estate. Events include photos with Santa and nightly choral performances on the terrace.

The estate is the former home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. The couple actually opened their gardens to the public — free of charge — in 1932.

When Bessie died in 1943, Walter dedicated himself to preserving and sharing Bessie’s gardens with others. By the time he died in 1955, Walter had established the Bellingrath-Morse Foundation to oversee the estate and preserve it for the public.

There are plenty of other things to see and do while you’re in Mobile.

Tour the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, all dressed in its holiday finery, from Dec. 1-31. Visit the historic Richards DAR House Museum or Oakleigh House. There’s also the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, Mobile Museum of Art and the Battleship USS Alabama.

If you happen to be in town for New Year’s, be sure to check out Moon Pie Over Mobile. Think of it as Mardi Gras meets New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, with a Mardi-Gras-style parade, throws, marching bands, Moon Pies and lots of fun. The evening culminates with a giant metal Moon Pie being dropped 34 stories from its perch on the RSA BankTrust building.

www.bellingrath.org, www.braggmitchellmansion.com www.richardsdarhouse.com, oakleighhouse.publishpath.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME

Land Between The Lakes NATIONAL RECREATION AREA

Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee www.LandBetweenTheLakes.us 1-800-525-7077 Scan for our website

Bike • Boat • Camp Drive • Explore • Fish Hike • Hunt • Learn Listen • Picnic • Play Relax • Ride • Swim Teach • View • Walk

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14 | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | DESTINATIONS

CHRISTMAS AT BILTMORE Biltmore Estate Asheville, North Carolina

Christmas this year at the Biltmore Estate will look much like it did on Christmas Eve 1895 when the Vanderbilt family invited family and friends to celebrate the holiday at their stunning new home. From Nov. 6 to Jan. 10, you can tour the country’s largest home all dressed in seasonal elegance. See the spectacular 35-foot-tall tree in the banquet hall. Listen to the choirs, carolers and musicians throughout the grounds.

Walk through the special displays in the conserva-

tory. Evenings are the perfect time to experience the Biltmore, with its twinkling lights, flickering candles, roaring fires, lit trees and glowing luminaries. There are plenty of trees, decorations, garlands, greenery and poinsettias throughout the grounds.

But there’s more to Asheville than the Biltmore. Take a tour of Asheville’s oldest home, Smith-McDowell House.

From Nov. 19 to Jan. 3, the house is decked out in Victorian Christmas décor for the annual celebration of Carolina Christmas. Check out the amazing creations at the National Gingerbread House Competition at Grove Park Inn Resort (Nov. 18-Jan. 3). At the North Carolina Arboretum, Winter Lights offers the opportunity for nightly walking tours through 3 acres of festive displays.

And for a quirky offbeat adventure, take a short drive from Asheville to Brevard, N.C., and visit the Aluminum Christmas Tree Museum (open Nov. 29-Dec. 20). The exhibit has been featured in noted publications like Southern Living and The New York Times and includes everything from revolving color wheels to an Elvis-themed tree. This homage to the often-denigrated Christmas tree of yesterday is housed at the Transylvania Heritage Museum, a site that serves as a living history museum honoring the early founders of Brevard and Transylvania County.

christmas.biltmore.com www.wnchistory.org, ncwinterlights.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE BILTMORE COMPANY

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For Encampment & Hotel information visit www.MetropolisTourism.com or call 618-524-4712 TN-0001073290

DESTINATIONS | Sunday, September 20, 2015 | 15

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