Franklin Wine Festival

FRANKLIN, TN (September 6, 2011) – New wine seminars, Vintner’s Dinners, and a Grand Tasting event featuring rare wines and local eateries entice wine aficionados from all across Middle Tennessee to the seventh annual Franklin Wine Festival, presented by Cool Springs Wines and Spirits and supported by Nissan, Friday, Oct. 21 at the Factory at Franklin. All proceeds from the event benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.

The Festival offers more than 300 wines and culinary tastings from the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Festival goers will enjoy delicious vintages rarely found at similar functions, such as Silver Oak, Domaine Serene, Truchard Vineyards, and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, as well samplings from Nashville dining staples, including Sperry’s, The Mad Platter, Saffire and The Cocoa Tree.

Wine lovers can also attend pre-festival events, including a Wine Tasting 101 seminar held at Cool Springs Wines & Spirits’ new tasting room; the Ultimate Grilled Cheese Pairing at Whole Foods Market in Franklin; a seminar of cooking savory and sweet delicacies with several wines and liquors at Viking Cooking School; a cigar and scotch seminar at Woody’s Smokes & Brews; and a chocolate and wine pairing with Nashville Chocolate Company held at Whole Foods Market in Franklin.

This year’s Vintner’s Dinners for the Franklin Wine Festival will be held at Sperry’s in Cool Springs on Sept. 29, Stoney River Legendary Steaks in Cool Springs on Oct. 4, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse on Oct. 13. Specific vintages and menu are still being determined for the fall. For information on seminar or Vintner’s Dinner reservations, visit www.FranklinWineFestival.com or call (615) 522-5659.

The funds raised by the Franklin Wine Festival will be used to serve more children with a mentor throughout Middle Tennessee through Big Brothers Big Sisters programs. Funding is used to conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety, and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee served 2,812 children in 2010 with a mentor.

"This event continues to grow every year, which reinforces what we already know—our neighbors here in Middle Tennessee will generously spend their time and money to support programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters—programs that help people overcome adversity and change their lives for the better," said event chair Andrea Stilwell. "We’re grateful for the support of our sponsors, Nissan North America and Cool Springs Wines & Spirits, and for the support of the community, which is how we’re able to recruit volunteers and reach more children."

Advance tickets to the Grand Tasting are $75, and are available now at FranklinWineFestival.com. If available, tickets sold at the door will be $85 each.

For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit www.mentorakid.org or call (615) 329-9191.