Wineries, artisans showcased at Rhythm and Wine Festival

West Virginia wineries, quality craft vendors and a full day’s lineup of music will highlight the first-ever Rhythm and Wine Festival in Beverly. The Beverly Heritage Center will host the event Saturday, Aug. 17 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wineries include Forks of Cheat Winery from Morgantown and Vu Ja De Vineyards from Spencer. Local artisans will display their wares, and the public is invited to attend the festival and browse the variety of craft tents.
“This event will be the first time we have featured West Virginia wineries in Beverly,” said Darryl DeGripp, executive director of the Beverly Heritage Center. “We see this festival as a chance to enjoy wine, food, crafts and music from around West Virginia.”
Craft vendors will be set up outside of the Beverly Heritage Center, featuring the pottery of Scottie Roberts Wiest, along with jewelry, woodworking, antiques, and homemade soaps. There will also be food vendors selling fire-roasted pork loin sandwiches, and bread and cheese plates as a lighter option to complement the wine tasting. Admission to the craft and food vendor area will be free.
The wine tasting for Rhythm and Wine will be provided by two notable West Virginia wineries. Forks of Cheat Winery has been in operation for 23 years and is located on 16 acres of fertile hills in Morgantown. They offer award-winning red and white wines, as well as fruit and dessert wines.
Vu Ja De Vineyards is a small boutique winery from Spencer that utilizes sustainable and organic farming practices, including biodynamics and permaculture in creating their wines. Both wineries will have a variety of bottles available for purchase.
The musical lineup for Rhythm and Wine includes well-known acts such as the Dennis McClung Blues Band, Aurora Celtic, Jumpstart, Gerry Milnes and Friends, Caleb Karriker, and Falling Branch String Band. Music will begin at 12 noon and continue throughout the day, with the Dennis McClung Blues Band taking the stage at 6:30.
The wine and music area will open at 11 a.m. with a $10 admission for ages 21 and over, and $5 for guests under 21. Adult ticket holders will be given a wineglass and corkscrew for wine purchases, and are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the music. As a courtesy to other attendees, please do not bring any pets or outside food or drink.
Rhythm and Wine is sponsored by the Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau and The Inter-Mountain. The program is presented with financial assistance from the WV Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.
For more information, please call the Beverly Heritage Center at 304-637-7424, send an email to info@beverlyheritagecenter.org, or visit www.beverlyheritagecenter.org or the Rhythm and Wine event page on Facebook.