NEWS RELEASE, Thunder Road Wine Trail
Aug. 31, 2015
Rebecca Williams
865-483-9124

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
New Wine Trail in East Tennessee
Thunder Road Wine Trail offers wild, sophisticated ride
 
East Tennessee - In a state perhaps better known for its whiskey, a new wine trail offers a playful nod to moonshine history, but serves sophisticated, award-winning Tennessee wines.
 
Thunder Road Wine Trail, opening Sept. 1, 2015, follows the old Thunder Road and Copperhead Road moonshine smuggling routes, winding 140 miles from Knoxville to Butler, Tennessee. It includes six wineries and more than 60 different wines. Most wineries have been open for less than three years, and two are brand new in East Tennessee.
 
"We are proud to announce the opening of Thunder Road Wine Trail," said Rick Riddle, founder of the trail.
 
"In history, Thunder Road represented escape from the poverty of rural Appalachia, provided by the running of 'White Lightening.' Thunder Road Wine Trail takes you across those very roads. You'll discover wonderful Tennessee wines as you experience the real East Tennessee - wild, beautiful, friendly, yet sophisticated."
 
This wine trail includes six wineries close enough to visit in about three days: Blue Slip Winery in Knoxville, Eagle Springs Winery in Kodak, The Winery at Seven Springs Farm in Maynardville, Spout Spring Estates Winery in Blaine, Goodwater Vineyards in Mosheim, and Watauga Lake Winery in Butler, Tennessee.
 
The wine trail has a free passport program. Pick one up and have it stamped at any winery. Customers who visit five of the wineries will receive a free wine glass, and be entered in a drawing for a Winemakers' Dinner for Four. Those who visit all six wineries will also be entered in a drawing for a two-night Bed & Breakfast stay. 
 
Kick-off events for Thunder Road Wine Trail will be held at each winery in October and are listed below. There is no admission charge and free wine tastings, music, celebrity guests and door prizes, will be offered at each event.
 
For more information about Thunder Road Wine Trail, or to sign up for its newsletter, blog, or connect through social media, please visit   www.ThunderRoadWineTrail.com. 
   
Kick off Events
Thunder Road Wine Trail
  • Friday, Oct. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eagle Springs Winery, 119 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak.
  • Saturday, Oct. 3, 12 to 5 p.m., The Winery at Seven Springs Farm, 1474 Highway 61 East, Maynardville, TN. Double Celebration!  This is also the Grand Opening of The Winery at Seven Springs Farm.  Ribbon cutting by Legislators Frank Niceley and Dennis Powers at 1 p.m. Vintage cars, music, farm to table fare for purchase, and free wine tasting.
  • Friday, Oct. 9, 6 to 9 p.m.: Blue Slip Winery, 300 W. Depot Ave., Knoxville.
  • Saturday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Watauga Lake Winery, 6952 Big Dry Run Rd., Butler, TN. Yellow ribbon cutting by Legislator Timothy Hill at 11 a.m. Vintage cars on display. Guest celebrity "Tiny" the owner of "Moonshiners" will be there. Evening sock hop and dinner, evening.
  • Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 to 7 p.m., Goodwater Vineyards, 1865 Goodwater Rd., Mosheim, TN. Outdoor event, rain date is Sat., Oct. 24. 1950s muscle cars, live music, barbecue for purchase, free wine tasting.
  • Saturday, Oct. 24, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Spout Spring Estates Winery and Vineyard, 430 Riddle Lane, Blaine, TN. 

Media Partners - 

If you would like an interview with Rick Riddle, President of Thunder Road Wine Trail, or any of the experienced wine makers of the trail, please contact Rebecca Williams, at 865-483-9124, or  MediaContact@ThunderRoadWineTrail.com.
 
We would love for you to attend a Kick Off Event in your area! All media will receive a press packet, but if you RSVP HERE at least five days before each event, you'll receive a complimentary wine glass, and a bottle of our famous Thunder Road Moscato!