According to organizers ,"Like a bold Tuscan red with a hearty marinara, some pairings are just a natural – like holding Cookeville’s first Tennessee wine-tasting festival as a fund-raiser for the Bryan Symphony Orchestra at Tennessee Tech University and the WestSide Business Association." 

Believing that symphonic music and fine wines make a good pairing, festival organizers created the 21-and-over June 25 event with a limited ticket base for Cookeville's West Side.

“Over the years, our volunteers have approached fund-raising in lots of different ways, with the Symphony Galas serving as our signature ticketed event,” says BSO Executive Director Gail Luna. “Wine on the WestSide is a real departure for us – and one we couldn't’t even consider until fairly recently. The concept has the potential to be a significant source of support for us – and not just in fund-raising, but in visibility – in putting the symphony in front of more people in a fun and novel way. That’s important for us on a number of levels.”

Cookeville’s never seen anything quite like this – a wine-tasting festival in the city streets showcasing the award-winning vintages produced by Tennessee wineries, as well as Tennessee artisans food and other wine-compatible products, said organizers.

Fifteen wineries representing 240 varietals and blends set up shop at the festival, which also included specials from WestSide eateries, live music, educational activities and art.  Patrons strolled from booth to booth on Broad Street between Walnut and Cedar, sampling wares and buying bottles of new favorite vintages and related products to enjoy on the premises or take home. To ensure a safe and enjoyable downtown experience, Broad from Walnut to Cedar was closed to traffic.

“From the beginning, we’we've focused on putting on an event that people will get excited about and feel comfortable with,” says Allan Stingley, president of the WestSide Business Association. “We like to think of the WestSide as a great neighborhood, as a section of the city that appeals to everyone in a fun and wholesome way. Wine on the WestSide is our chance to promote both our neighborhood and great music, while showing Cookeville off to its best advantage.”

A Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Association event, Wine on the WestSide was limited to Tennessee wineries and local restaurants and vendors representing the state’s independent producers of food and hand-crafted products. Tennessee permits only eight of these events to be held annually; this is the first year Cookeville joins Nashville, Knoxville and a handful of other cities hosting Tennessee wine festivals.

Major event sponsors for Wine on the WestSide were Derek and Diana Baranowski. Co-sponsors include Streamliner Creative Group, Regions Bank, Lenhart Design on the WestSide, Luna and Birdwell Investment Group, and Sweet Pea Boutique and Just for You of 39 West Broad. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, call 931-525-2633 or e-mail  

Participating wineries with clear Tennessee flair included Beachaven Vineyards & Winery, Stonehaus, Blue Slip, Apple Barn, Mountain Valley, Hillside, Grinder's Switch, Keg Springs, Holly Ridge, Tennessee Valley, Delmonaco, Bean's Creek, Chateau Ross, Amber Falls, and Arrington.

According to their Facebook page, the response was positive, Billie Stingley especially enjoyed the "great chocolate Cabernet cupcakes at Sweet Salliesand Willa's Shortbread had some awesome chocolate macadamia bites that were great with the cabs, wonderful with Beans Creek Port- truly a great paring! The chocolate bites are also very nice with the Amber Falls Cajun Festival - started with spicy shrimp tacos, ending w Willa's Chocolate shortbread - very nice pairings!"

Peggy Troupe posted that she enjoyed the event, the weather, the people and said "I really think this should be an annual event.  Very positive event for Cookeville."