In the Field

The Blue Ridge Mountains Cheers Trail

A diverse craft beverage scene has taken hold in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Nearly two dozen wineries, breweries, and cideries (and one meadery) have come together to form the Hendersonville Cheers! Trail in a scenic locale about 20 miles south of Asheville.

Highlights of the trail include the palatial Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. in Mills River and nearby Bold Rock Hard Cider, the nation’s top craft cidery. Six wineries, including two mountaintop vineyards, anchor the newly designated Crest of the Blue Ridge AVA, an American Viticultural Area wine region, while pedestrian friendly downtown Hendersonville is home to six breweries.

Other highlights include a farmhouse brewery in the agricultural community of Etowah, an artisan cidery in the midst of an apple orchard, and a wine tasting room and bistro with scenic views of Chimney Rock.

A passport was launched last year to guide folks along the trail. The Cheers Trail Passport features twenty-three tasting rooms along this unique trail. There are eleven breweries, six vineyards, three cideries, and one meadery. Additionally, two of the wineries operate second tasting rooms off-premise.

The passport is $10 and available online. Once a passport recipient has their book stamped at twelve venues along the trail, they can redeem it at the Hendersonville Visitors Center for specially branded trail merchandise. Passport holders also receive a Hendersonville Rewards Card, which provides discounts on accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and retailers throughout the area.

The passports make neat stocking stuffers for family members this holiday season, as well fun gifts for neighbors, friends, and co-workers.

For more info about the variety of tasting rooms along the Cheers! Trail, or to order a passport online, go to www.CheersTrail.org.

Date Published: 10.17.21

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