The Walnut Street Bridge provides the setting for one of the city's most fun fundraisers. Wine Over Water, scheduled Saturday, raises money for Cornerstones, an organization that focuses on historic preservation in Chattanooga.
According to cornerstonesinc.org, guests should "do a little homework" before coming to the event.
ENTERTAINMENT* 5 p.m. Amber Fults (Stage 1), Mark Holder (Stage 4)* 6:30 p.m. Concerning Lions (Stage 2), Gabriel Newell (Stage 3), New Binkley Brothers (Stage 5)FOOD VENDORS* Plates for purchase: 212 Market, The Acropolis, Bluewater Grille, Broad Street Grille, Easy Bistro, Food Works, La Cabriole, Niko's, St. John's, Table 2.* Complimentary breads: Niedlov's Breadworks, Bluff View Bakery.Wine-tasting tips* In addition to sampling wine, drink a lot of water and try to keep some food in your stomach.* Because wines do temporarily impair judgment and slow the reflexes, it can make driving extremely dangerous. Plan an exit strategy and find a safe way to get back home. Either establish a designated nondrinking driver, call a cab or take advantage of special downtown hotel rates.Source: cornerstone.org
"Wine Over Water is fun, but tasting wine can also be a valuable learning experience, one that can greatly enhance your knowledge of wines and the pleasure you derive in drinking them," the website noted.
There will be about 30 wine stations serving 300 to 500 wines. The wines represent nearly a dozen countries and a number of states including California, Washington, Idaho and Tennessee.
Among the wineries represented at the event will be Tennessee Valley Winery in Loudon, Tenn. Owner Cameran Birkholz said the Chattanooga market is perfect for her wines.
"Chattanooga and Knoxville are sweeter markets than Nashville, for example," she said. "Chattanooga is a nice fit for us. We're definitely not a California winery, and I think Nashville is a drier market because of all the outsiders who have moved there."
Birkholz said that though her winery, which opened in 1984, offers a wide selection of sweet wines, there is something for everyone. "We accommodate all palates because we do dry, medium, sweet and fruity wines -- a little bit of everything."
Because the wine selection from all the wineries will be great, event officials suggest choosing your wines and testing destinations beforehand at cornerstonesinc.org. By clicking on "2010 Wine Program," you can see what country or state each wine is from and the winery that produced it.
IF YOU GO
* What: Wine Over Water.
* When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday.
* Where: Walnut Street Bridge.
* Admission: $70 (must be at least 21 years old and show ID at gate).
* Website: www.cornerstonesinc.org.