Local winery boasts award-winning wines, popular summer concert series

One of the most visited sites in Clarksville is Beachaven Vineyards and Winery. The winery's Jazz on the Lawn, a free summer concert series, attracts nearly 3,500 people to every concert.

The winery
Founded in 1986 by Judge William O. Beach, and Ed and Louisa Cooke, Beachaven Vineyards and Winery has continued to expand its production of award-winning wines and champagnes.

Beachaven has established itself as a prestigious winery with enough awards to fill a wall. Its wine list includes nine dry wines, six semi-dry wines, eight sweet wines and two champagnes. New for the summer of 2009 is strawberry wine made from berries from Milan.

In 2008, the winery won several awards from the Indy International Wine Competition:

* Gold medal: Classic White

* Silver medal: Barrelhead Red

* Bronze medals: Barrister's Red, Raspberry, Riesling, Tempo, Viognier and Seyval Blanc.

Jazz on the Lawn
The winery is known for more than just great wine.

"Jazz on the Lawn has become an event with a life of its own," states Louisa Cooke on the winery's Web site. "We have grown from a few hundred attendees in 1989, to thousands of picnicking guests. Couples, friends and families come to relax, listen to music and taste wine in a unique outdoor setting."

Free Saturday evening concerts begin in late May and continue through October. For a concert schedule, visit the winery's Web site (www.beachaven winery.com) or call 645-8867.

Jazz on the Lawn music begins at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 9:30. To get the best view of the stage it pays to arrive at the winery well before the concert.

"Rules of the Beach" include:

Bring with you your friends, a picnic, and a blanket and/or lawn chair.

Do not bring with you pets, grills and outside alcohol.

And, pick up your trash. Beachaven provides dozens of trash receptacles around the lawn.