A Vintage Affair is a non profit 501(c)3 organization that is dedicated to raising money for Williamson County charities benefiting women and children in need. In order to fulfill the goal of helping out neighbors in need, AVA hosts various events throughout the year which include: wine, spirit & food tastings, A Fashion Affair – our fashion show, and Stars, Stogies & Bogies – our night golf tournament.  Since its inception in 2001, AVA has contributed over three quarters of a million dollars to local non profit organizations.

Each year AVA chooses several deserving beneficiaries from the community to receive the proceeds for that fiscal year. Past AVA Beneficiaries include Mercy Children’s Clinic, BRIDGES, The Hundred Club of Franklin, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Williamson Medical Center, Williamson County Youth Incorporated, Williamson County Child Advocacy Center, My Friend’s House, Williamson County Library Foundation, High Hopes Inclusive Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic, and the A Vintage Affair Fellowship at O’More College of Design.

A Vintage Affair prides itself on the participation from the local community as well as businesses and individuals around the country. We are surrounded by willing and able volunteers that allow A Vintage Affair to continue to grow and achieve success.

Our 2010 Vintners:

Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards was founded in 2005 by country artist Kix Brooks, businessman Fred Mindermann and winemaker Kip Summers. Fred and Kip had been growing grapes at Fred’s Liberty Hill Vineyard in Brentwood, TN. Inspired by the success of Fred’s vineyard and Kip’s winemaking track record, they endeavored to create a first class winery near Nashville. Fred and Kip approached Kix with the winery idea in 2002. However, Kix decided against it because the plan included utilizing Kix’s Painted Springs Farm as the location.

Then in late 2003, Fred and Kip purchased a small farm near Arrington. They cleared the land and established Firefly Vineyards. Almost a year later, in 2004, the farm adjacent to the vineyards was offered for sale. Fred approached Kix with the idea of purchasing it, so that Firefly Vineyards could be expanded. Once Kix purchased the property (including the house that is now the Arrington Vineyards tasting lodge), he caught the “winery fever” and decided to form a partnership with Fred and Kip to create a first class winery. The original working name Firefly Vineyards – named for the millions of fireflies that appear in the vineyards each spring – was changed to reflect the local community nearby.

The vineyards were expanded in 2005 and 2006 – meanwhile – Arrington Vineyards worked with Williamson County in creating a whole new class of county zoning that would allow the winery to have a retail store. The first two vintages of wine (2005 and 2006) were made by Kip at Beachaven Winery in Clarksville, TN where he was winemaker for 13 years. Construction on the Arrington winery began in late 2006. By April 2007, the winery was officially licensed and the wine and equipment was moved in. Bottling of the first vintage began in June 2007. Arrington Vineyards opened for retail sales on July 1, 2007. A “Grand Opening” was held on August 14, 2007 – which included a concert by Pat McLaughlin. By the fall of 2007, it became apparent that Arrington Vineyards was quickly establishing itself as a first class operation – winning “Best of Show” at the Wines of the South competition for its Syrah and quickly selling out of most of its 2005 vintage wines in a few months.

In 2008, Arrington Vineyards continued to expand its vineyards and distribution. AV wines have been featured in NYC, New Orleans, and at fine wine shops in Oregon and Tennessee. Businessman John Russell joined the Arrington Vineyards partnership – adding his keen sense of business to an already strong partnership and management team.

Robledo Family Winery

In 1968 Reynaldo Robledo, Sr. learned how to prune a vine. He spent the following three decades working in several vineyards learning more and more about this unique type of farming. His experience grew until he was eventually managing vineyards with hundreds of acres and many men. In 1996 Reynaldo formed his own vineyard management business, Robledo Vineyard Management, LLC. As his skills in the vineyards continued to evolve so did his affection for the product he was cultivating.

During these years the family purchased fourteen vineyards, totaling approximately 200 acres, in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake County. Although they still sell most of the fruit from these three ranches to other wineries, they now produce their own estate wines.

We think every bottle of wine produced by Robledo Family Winery is a small triumph. The quality of our wine displays viticulturist Reynaldo Robledo’s skills of grape culture. He overcame his humble beginnings as an immigrant field worker to become one of the most successful vineyard consultants and winery owners in California Wine Country. More than anything, Robledo Family Winery is a success because Robledo shares his knowledge and passion with his children and his grandchildren.

Honig Vineyard & Winery

The Honig family donates wine to charity auctions all over the country, they host political and community events at their vineyard, and they are active in the sustainable farming movement. Today, with winemaker Kristin Belair, the family produces Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and Honig wines, which were once only available in one San Francisco restaurant, are now on the wine lists of hundreds of fine restaurants across the country. And Louis Honig’s vision of bringing his family together to share in the beauty and bounty of Napa Valley, while producing outstanding wines, has become a reality.

Meyer Family Cellars

Meyer Family Cellars is a small, family-owned winery situated in the picturesque Yorkville Highlands of Mendocino County in California.  At once a leading artisanal winery in one of California’s emerging viticultrual areas, Meyer Family Cellars blends establishing this new Appellation with the legacy of Silver Oak Cellars.

Today Meyer Family Cellars is in the capable hands of co-winemakers Matt and Karen Meyer.  Their approach to winemaking mirrors the unique position of their product.  While their wine incorporates “old world” balanced acidity and minerality with “new world” ripeness and forward fruit, similarly, Matt and Karen apply the wisdom gleaned from family history while welcoming new ideas into the process.