On the Circuit: Wined Up!

The twelfth annual Wined Up! — the second of three Pairings events — was just as bright and expressive as the wines being poured. Chaired by Gabriela Lira and Jonas Sjögren, and Rachel and Jeff Mitchell, the event is a staple of the Nashville Wine Auction — the nation’s longest running charity wine auction — and has been uniting Nashville’s wine community to fund the fight against cancer for more than 40 years.

On an unseasonably warm February evening, 380 guests gathered at downtown’s City Winery for a walk-around style tasting featuring 32 West Coast vintners. The selection of wines ranged from well-known labels, new-to-market names and small producers. What was brought into sharp relief for guests in the room as 58 wines were being poured was that this event is something special: a gathering of people spanning several generations and the spectrum of wine knowledge. Neophytes, enthusiasts and collectors stood side by side tasting an array of California classics like buttery chardonnays, bold cabernet sauvignons and delicate pinot noirs, as well as playful blends and varietals less prolific to the region. Visiting vintners offered guests unparalleled access to their wines with options to purchase bottles, many of which are not distributed locally or are so limited that they are otherwise offered only to members of their private wine clubs. 

City Winery did not disappoint in keeping thirsty guests well-fed. A display of hearty bites was the focal point in the Barrel Room where guests shared conversation and studied the tasting map to plot their next round of sips. Upstairs at the intimate Collectors’ Showcase, guests eagerly tasted vintages from exceptional wine makers like COLLATERAL, Lithology Winery and Pahlmeyer Winery, while enjoying passed hors d’oeuvres. A silent auction featured rare lots donated by local collectors and exciting packages from participating wine makers.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that Wined Up! once again proved the inimitable power of Tennessee’s wine community: good people united by great wine to raise critical funds for 12 local beneficiary organizations.