Gala Event in Highlands, NC

Last night I poured our wines at the 2nd annual Highlands Culinary Weekend’s Opening Gala, in Highlands, North Carolina. For those of you that haven’t had a chance to visit this part of the country (as I hadn’t) put Highlands on your list of places to see and plan a summer trip to this beautiful mountain resort town in southwestern North Carolina. Nestled among the hard woods and pines, at 4,100 feet, you can see why Highlands for years has been the summer play ground for folks escaping the sweltering heat of Atlanta, Charlotte and as far away as Birmingham, Alabama.

The opening nights Reception was held at the Pine Street Park, under the elegant big tent, or as elegant as they come! The weather was chilly, but that didn’t curb the enthusiasm for the 400 food and wine junkies attending. The reception was a combined event featuring a few excellent local chefs matched with equally excellent wines, wineries to the likes of Caymus, Nickel & Nickel, E. Guigal, Duckhorn, St. Supery, Rodney Strong and our boutique winery, Edward Sellers. Some of the more notable chefs preparing their cuisine were Chef Wolfgang of Wolfgang's Restaurant & Wine Bistro and Chef Kevin Paoletti of the fabulous Ristorante Paoletti, both prominent restaurateurs in Highlands. Their food was outstanding!

This event was every foodie’s dream; great wine, great food, amidst the splendor of fall in Highlands. I’ll be back…

Saturday, more pourings and a dinner at Cyprus in the Highlands.