Belle Meade Plantation hopes to open winery
Belle Meade Plantation announced Friday it has started the process of becoming an approved Tennessee winery.
The nonprofit hopes to use Tennessee grapes whenever possible and sell its first round of wine bottles by Christmas. The prices will be in the $15-$20 range, and the bottle labels will feature the plantation's rich collection of equestrian art.
"Working in conjunction with Keg Springs Winery in Hampshire, Tenn., most of our grapes will be grown in Middle Tennessee at their vineyards, and the grapes will be crushed and processed at their site," said Alton Kelley, the plantation's president, in a statement.
The filtering and bottling processes will take place at the plantation. Visitors will be able to observe both steps and taste the wine in a wine tasting room.
The winery adds to Belle Meade Plantation's list of ongoing farmlike ventures, including production of honey and hams.