Just a couple of small towns helping out small wine makers.
That is how Davis Picklesimer describes his newest creation in the ongoing effort to make Highlands and Cashiers a destination for wine lovers.
Elevated Wine is a weekend event coming Nov. 12-14 that will feature more than 80 wines from 20 small wineries. There will be wine-related events throughout the three days in both Highlands and Cashiers.
“We want to do an event that appeals to anyone who enjoys wine and wants to learn more about the people behind the brand names,” Picklesimer said. “We have multiple local businesses that are partnering to make this event a success in its first year and hopefully carry that momentum into future years. Highlands and Cashiers have a great reputation in the wine industry and we want to showcase that and build on it.”
While guests are welcome from all destinations, Picklesimer noted that there will be plenty of opportunities for local residents to get in on the fun during Elevated Wine.
“We want to keep the tickets at a price point where local people can enjoy the events and just feel good about supporting small businesses in the wine industry,” Picklesimer said. “There will also be some tickets held back for our area first responders and people who work in the service industry to come free of charge. It has been an exhausting year for people who serve the public and we want to give back to those workers.”
In the future, Pickelsimer hopes to increase the reach of Elevated Wine and also increase the community giving. His goal is to build the event to a point where a wine auction would be feasible.
“When you look at the wine auctions in Naples, Atlanta and New Orleans, they raise tens of thousands of dollars for area nonprofits every year,” Picklesimer said. “Wine is meant to bring people together, to share something hand-crafted and special. If we can do that and be able to help out some good causes then I don’t see any downside.”
Having a family history that goes back eight generations in the Highlands and Cashiers area, it was important to Picklesimer to make Elevated Wine an event that can benefit both communities.
“Highlands and Cashiers are unique, but there are far more similarities than differences,” Picklesimer said. “The idea that there is an imaginary barrier at the county line is outdated. More and more we are seeing people come up the mountain and enjoy both communities.”
Helping wine makers
As general manager of Highlands Wine Shoppe, Picklesimer has built relationships with wineries across the United States. He described 2020 thus far as a very difficult year for wine makers.
“When you look at all that has gone on with COVID-19, that has been a challenge on its own, but then you throw in massive wildfires in the Napa Valley of California and it’s a double hit,” Picklesimer said. “We hope that we can showcase some of the smaller wineries in Napa and hopefully help them sell some wine and build their brands.”
One such small winery is Tate Cellars, owned and operated by David and Suzanne Tate in Napa.
“This year has been a tough one,” David Tate said. “With COVID-19 we had a ton of cancelled bookings in April, May and June, then just when we were getting a handle on how to operate safely and effectively, the wildfires started and shut everything down completely for a second time.”
Aside from owning his own Tate brand, David Tate also serves as the wine maker at Barnett Vineyards. He recalled just how close Barnett was to complete devastation during the wildfires.
“I got the call that the fire had just about reached Barnett and I jumped in the car,” Tate said. “By the time I got there we were driving through flames on both sides of the road. With the help of the owners, and their family, we were able to protect the main buildings using two pumps and a two-inch hose. We fought the fire back for two straight days.”
Despite their best efforts to save the winery and residence, Barnett Vineyards did lose roughly one third of their vineyard and a storage building.
“It was bad, but it could have been so much worse,” Tate said. “The neighboring winery lost its tasting room and its entire 2019 production that was in barrels on the property.”
Tate, who is hoping to attend Elevated Wines, said the connection between wine enthusiasts and small wineries is critical to ensuring that 2020 is a “blip on the radar” and not a catastrophe.
“The good news is 2018 was a banner year for wine makers in California, so there is still that stock available, and 2019 was solid,” Tate said. “Even if we lose 2020, hopefully we can survive long enough to get back to normal production in 2021.”
How to get involved
Elevated Wines will feature multiple events from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day Nov. 12-14 held at Main Street businesses at the Center for Life Enrichment in Highlands. Thursday and Friday will feature small production wines and Saturday will showcase international wines and local craft beers.
Elevated Wines will also host a Cashiers event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at The Village Green.
Tickets can be purchased for each day, or as a three-day pass to all of the events. The ticket price varies by day and event. All COVID-19 precautions will be followed during the Elevated Wines events.
For more information, a complete list of sponsors and participating wineries, or to buy tickets, visit highlandswineshoppe.com/elevated-wines or call 828-526-4080.