Watauga Lake Winery

About

In addition to the tasting room and wine production area, the winery offers a full catering kitchen complete with GE monogram appliances and a meeting /dining room area which can accommodate over 100 people. The kitchen is used for weddings and other events, food and wine pairings, gourmet dinners and demonstration "hands-on" cooking events. Locally grown Tennessee farm products are featured whenever possible.

Location Description

Located in the heart of Butler, Tennessee.

Features

  • Watauga Lake Winery is the first farm winery in Johnson County, Tennessee.

Additional Information

  • Meeting / Conference Facilities:
  • Caves:
  • Wedding Facilities:
  • Picnic Facilities:
  • Dog Friendly:
  • Winery Tours:
  • Wine Tasting:
  • Art or Architecture:
  • Organic / Biodynamic:
  • Awards:
  • Wine Club:
  • Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:

History

Owners, Wayne and Linda Gay, "retired" to Johnson County, TN, in 2002 after spending 22 years in the Italian import business. During this time, Linda and Wayne, grew to love the mountains and vineyard covered slopes of Italy. When they discovered East Tennessee, they immediately felt as if they had been transported to the Italian Alps. They purchased 35 acres overlooking Watauga Lake and began construction of "Villa Nove", an Italian inspired farmhouse whose namesake is a small town in northern Italy where their import business began.

In 2005, as Wayne likes to tell it, they decided to plant a few grapevines on the property as landscaping and it simply got out of hand!! The result is "Villa Nove Vineyards" which consists of over 4000 wine grape vines. Wayne made his first wine in 2006 and found that he enjoyed it. He enrolled in viticulture and enology course in Santa Barbara, CA, Washington State, Cornell University, Surrey Community College and other locations.

Wayne and Linda, who had purchased the historic Johnson County Big Dry Run Schoolhouse began renovations and the winery permitting process in 2010. Watauga Lake Winery opened to the public in November, 2012. Their mission is to grow quality fruit, make exceptional wine from local fruit, and develop a venue where customers can enjoy "la doce vita" - the good life.

The Team

Wayne and Linda Gay - Owners

Practices & Techniques

We are members of the Tennessee Farm Wine Growers Alliance (TFWA) and the High Country Wine Growers Association (HCWGA). The HCWGA include Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties of North Carolina and Johnson County, Tennessee. All HCWGA members vineyards are at 1500 feet or higher. Our area is also recognized by CERVIM (Center for Research Environmental Sustainability and Advancement of Mountain Viticulture). This organization is based in the Aosta valley of Italy, which promotes high country grapes in Europe and around the world.

Estate Vineyards / AVA

Villa Nove Vineyards overlooks Lake Watauga and is about 1 1/2 miles from Watauga Lake Winery. Grape varieties include Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Sangiovese, Concord, Chancellor, Baco Noir, Steubin, Golden Muscat, Niagara, Traminette , Seyval, and Chardonell.

Mountain View at Villa Nove Vineyards Villa Nove Vineyards is classified as a mountain vineyard and sits at an elevation of 2350 feet. Our varietals were selected for their hardiness against late frosts and a limited growing season. Our soils are well drained and consist of clay and rock. This unique pairing of altitude and soil produces a well balanced fruit with excellent characteristics.

Awards

Watauga Lake Winery produces wine for every palate. From a dry Seyval and Merlot wine to a sweet dessert wine. Watauga Lake Winery won two silver medals last year. Their "Laurel Creek Surprise" a raspberry, chocolate dessert wine received this award in competition at Finger Lakes, New York, and also in "The Wines of the South" competition. A Concordance Gold was won for their "Doe Mountain Red", a dry, full-bodied Cynthiana wine, at "The Wines of the South" competition.

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Hours

Thur Sat: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Sun: 1:00 – 5:00 pm

Address

6952 Big Dry Run Rd.
Butler, Tennessee 37640
United States

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