By Jessica Isaacs
Ready to kick back with a cold drink in your hand? Then plan to visit Banner Elk Winery from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday for the annual Avery County Wine and Beer Festival.
Hosted by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce, this popular summer event features live music, great barbecue, local beer and wine and a chance to meet brewmasters and winemakers from across the High Country.
Buy your glass at the door for $8 ($5 if you purchase in advance) and make your way around the gorgeous grounds of Banner Elk Winery to try drinks brought to you by these establishments:
Avery Chamber Executive Director Melynda Martin Pepple said the area has a lot to offer folks who are interested in the craft beer and wine industry, which is gaining popularity across the country and especially across our home state.
“One of the hottest trends right now is people coming from all over to try out wineries and breweries,” Pepple said. “We are just saturated here in our counties and the surrounding area with some great ones, so we’re excited to offer up some sampling and a festival like this right here in our back yard.”
Additionally, the High Country offers a multitude of opportunities to enjoy the summer for folks coming in from out of town to the festival.
“First of all, it’s the weather — I know it’s hot right now, but we’re still at least 10-20 degrees cooler than anywhere else, so they can come here to get out of the heat,” Pepple said. “Then, our spectacular views and these beautiful mountains … it’s just not like any other place.
“They can fish, zipline, canoe in the rivers, visit Grandfather Mountain, ride the chairlift up to Beech Mountain — so many different things. Plus, we’ve got major attractions here like Tweetsie Railroad. Our area offers something for everybody — that’s what makes us so unique here.”
Call the Avery Chamber at 828-898-5605 to purchase your glass in advance at a discounted rate.
Check out each of the participating wineries and breweries online for more information about their products.
Banner Elk Winery is located at 60 Deer Run Road in Banner Elk.
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