Discovering Tennessee Wine: Arrington Vineyards
Located about 30 minutes south of Nashville, Arrington Vineyards highlights the idea that great wine doesn’t exclusively come from California. Co-founders Kip Summers and winemaker Chase Vienneau have dedicated nearly 20 years to showcasing the unique flavors derived from Tennessee’s soils, and now they’re sharing that experience with a broader audience.
Summers recalls a pivotal moment: “I toured a winery in Napa and thought, ‘Wow, I think I’m in the wrong job. I need to figure out what to do.'” This realization led him to meet Vienneau while they were both at a small family-owned winery north of Nashville.
Eventually, Arrington Vineyards was established in Williamson County, with Kix Brooks, part of the famous country music duo Brooks & Dunn, coming on board as a partner. “We started a winery here to give people the feel of wine country right in the heart of middle Tennessee,” Summers explained. But, of course, it hasn’t been without its hurdles.
Tennessee’s climate poses challenges for grape growing. Summers mentioned, “At this time of year, we often have cool nights, warm days, and dry weather. Summer’s more humid and tropical, so we have to choose which grapes are best suited for our area.” Vienneau agreed, noting, “It’s almost impossible to grow classic varieties here in Tennessee. We’ve had to transition to hybrids that tolerate our unique climate better.”
This local approach has led to wines now featured in the Fox News American Wine Club, such as Antiquity, a red blend aged in former Tennessee whiskey barrels. “This wine comes from a grape called Chambourcin, which is popular in places like Virginia and New York,” Summers stated, sharing pride in its consistent quality year after year. “That’s one reason we wanted to include it in the wine club; it truly represents what we’ve been creating.”
Vienneau chimed in, saying, “We even make a ruby-style port from Chambourcin. It’s quite versatile; we’ve crafted everything from a dry rosé to a nice French-style sparkling wine.” The ambiance of Arrington Vineyards, he pointed out, adds to its attractions.
“When we talk about Nashville wine country, we’re one of the few accessible spots for those in Nashville looking to spend an afternoon in a vineyard with some wine and a cheese platter,” Summers noted. The proximity to Nashville offers a convenient getaway for those wishing to enjoy both music and wine.
With Kix Brooks as co-owner, music plays an integral role at the vineyard. “We’ve been hosting live music on weekends since we opened. Here, you can indulge in both wine and the musical experience,” Summers said. Vienneau added, “It really brings everyone together.”
The wines available through the Fox News Wine Shop are also an opportunity to introduce Tennessee’s wine scene to a wider audience. Summers expressed excitement about sharing these wines, “It’s not nationally renowned like Tennessee whiskey, but I believe it deserves to be recognized.” He hopes to give more people the chance to discover the character of Tennessee wines.
