Wine Over Water
First steps being taken to make annual benefit a premiere wine and food festival
Wine Over Water is one of Chattanooga’s most anticipated fundraisers not only for the chance to sample any of more than 200 wines at one event, but also its enviable location on the Walnut Street Bridge with river and mountain vistas from all sides.
But Ann Gray, executive director of sponsoring nonprofit Cornerstones, says organizers are setting plans into motion with this weekend’s wine festival to ramp up its reputation even further.
“We really want Chattanooga to get to the level of having a food and wine festival like other big cities,” says Gray. “This year Cornerstones approached Benwood Foundation and asked for grant money to shift the emphasis to food
and wine. Cornerstones matched Benwood’s $10,000 grant. Food will be part of this year’s ticket price,” says Gray.
Gray explains that in addition to 287 wines from 50 wineries, there will be four local chefs on the bridge performing food demonstrations and offering samples. Look for chefs Erik Niel of Easy Bistro, Charlie Loomis of Feed Co. Table & Tavern, Buck Oglesby of Back Inn and Eric Pippert of Alleia. Complimentary charcuterie from Publix and complimentary bread from Bluff View Bakery will be served while supplies last.
In addition, on-site food vendors will include Root Kitchen, Two Ten Jack, Riverside Foodworks, 212 Market, Blue Water Grille, Walden Club, Easy Bistro & Bar, The Acropolis and St. John’s Restaurant.
Guests can savor their food and wine while enjoying the music of talented regional musicians playing everything from jazz to bluegrass.
It is tradition that money from Wine Over Water helps fund renovation and preservation of Chattanooga’s historic landmarks. Gray says this year’s profits will be spread a little further.
“We have just started a Cornerstones Professor in Residence in Historic Preservation at UTC. Andy Smith, a local architect, is already teaching classes through the Department of Interior Design. We are aware of the need to reach the younger generation and being more specific about local preservation, preservation ethics as well as the city’s’ architectural features.”
Smith’s three classes offer on-site and handson experiences for graduate students. Field Documentation of Historic Structures holds meetings at buildings that are listed on or eligible for the National Register. Urban History and the Development of Chattanooga has a lecture component addressing the city’s cultural evolution and a seminar component on the relationships between residential, commercial, institutional and industrial growth.
A Survey of Architecture is an elective in the interior architecture curriculum addressing the evolution of Western culture from pre-history to the present.
“There are two essential areas that I believe represent important opportunities for the future of historic preservation,” says Smith. “What buildings and sites built in the second half of the 20th century should become national historic treasures? And recognition that traditionally African-American neighborhoods are national treasures, and their eligibility should be determined.”
In addition to Smith’s curricula, funds from Wine Over Water will be funneled into restoration happening between M.L. King Boulevard, Sixth Street, Chestnut Street and Georgia Avenue.
“There is so much activity happening there. Some are preservation projects; some are redevelopment. We feel if we can work with them, we could get historic tax credits and we are working on that,” says Gray.
A limited amount of tickets remain for Friday night’s Best Cellars premium wine-tasting at The Chattanoogan at 5:30 p.m. Tastings from 150 premium wines, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction are included in the $110 ticket.