Just for fun - Blue Ridge Wine Festival April 6-9, Blowing Rock

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Sixteen wineries. Ten restaurants. Five seminars. Five bands. Three days. Two big tastings. Two winemaking competitions. One festival.

More than a year in the making, the inaugural Blue Ridge Wine Festival is coming to Blowing Rock the weekend of April 6 through the 8, spilling out of its home base at the Chetola Resort and hitting several spots between Chetola and the Green Park Inn.

With the establishment of this festival, the High Country will now be able to boast a major event focused on one the of the fastest growing industries in the state.

The festivities officially begin in high style on Thursday night, with the Reserve V.I.P. Tasting at Chetola from 4:30 until 6:30 p.m. Featuring many of the best wines of the festival, the V.I.P. event will provide a chance for attendees to rub shoulders with winemakers, celebrity chef Suzie Blanchard, judges and festival organizers.

Following the Reserve Tasting, ten of the area’s finest kitchens will be abuzz with activity as the five- to seven-course Winemaker’s Dinners get underway. Taking place between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m., the dinners will feature creative menus designed to accompany various red and white wines from participating vineyards.

One of the highlights of the festival is the all-day tasting at Chetola on Saturday, but Friday also offers a fun and educational experience for festivalgoers. Organizers have recruited chefs, winemakers and food critics among others to help make Friday a standout day.

http://www.blueridgewinefestival.com