White Squirrel Winery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2023

Contact: Bill Sanderson, Owner and Operator, White Squirrel Winery

White Squirrel Winery Earns Silver and Bronze Medals at International Wine Competition

White Squirrel Winery recently participated in the Finger Lakes, NY-International Wine Competition. White Squirrel Winery entered three wines using the family name, Sanderson Family Winery –  Enchantment (dry red), Opportunity (dry white) and Chardonel (dry white, oaked). The Enchantment earned a Silver award, while the Opportunity and Chardonel both earned a Bronze.

Over 1,700 wines from the United States, Canada and Australia were judged in the blind competition and placed by class with only non-specific information such as grape varietal, vintage, residual sugar and percent alcohol. The 50 judges are organized into panels of three or four that represent a mix of professions and geographic regions. The judges were diverse with sommeliers, wine makers, wine writers and wine educators evaluating the wines. 

Considering the competition, this is a significant achievement for White Squirrel Winery. 

“We are thrilled to receive this honor, ” said Bill Sanderson, owner of White Squirrel Winery. “While our sweet wines are great, I want folks to know Tennessee is more than sweet wine. We grow grapes and produce dry wines that can win competitions.”

“We ship truckloads of grapes to east and middle Tennessee wineries and we keep about 30% for ourselves. It’s my goal to grow grapes and produce a wine that will compete with the rest of the world.” Sanderson said. 

The wines were produced by Garrett Sanderson, Bill’s son and the winemaker at White Squirrel Winery. “This was my first wine competition and we received a silver and 2-bronze ribbons. It’s only going to get better.”

White Squirrel Winery

White Squirrel Winery was founded in 2014 by the Sanderson family to bring high quality wines to the northwest Tennessee region. Today, Sanderson and his wife, Marjie, own and operate White Squirrel Winery in his northwest Tennessee hometown of Kenton. Under his direction, three generations of Sandersons oversee the production and maintenance of the approximately 20-acre family vineyard.

White Squirrel Winery is the largest grower of high-quality Tennessee hybrid and vinifera wine grapes, producing 90-tons per year. The winery is best known for its success with “Enchantment” and “Opportunity” grape varieties developed at the University of Arkansas Fruit Research Station through the University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture. Because of its dedication to research and continuing education, White Squirrel Winery is the largest producer in the world of these two new varietals. Not only are the grapes grown locally but the wines are also made locally in a facility in downtown Kenton, Tenn. From Syrah to Cayuga wines, White Squirrel Winery creates bold tasting wines in small batches for maximum quality.

Feb. 11th, 2023 White Squirrel Winery will host it’s 8th annual Valentine Dinner and Wine Pairing. This event will feature live music and a 5-course gourmet dinner. Ticket sales will be announced in January.

Local keyboard artist, Roger Alexander and Barry Patrick will be performing at White Squirrel Winery, Saturday, March 6th. Know as the Kicking Keys, this keyboard duo bring great music with a mix of humor along with wonderful local vocal talent. At this event, Obion County native, Katie Thorpe Tohn will be the featured vocalist. “Katie is an undiscovered gem and is one of the best vocalist I have ever heard. We are lucky to have her accompany us”, said Alexander.

Kicking Keys has played at many area venues, but most recently, performing at Discovery Park’s Music on the Rail.

Fast Mac’s BBQ will be on site to provide wonderful, Tennessee BBQ and more to all those attending. Mac Sutton is known throughout the area and is famous for his delicious ” BBQ-baked potato.

We will be open Thursday, 12/31/20 from 2:00-5:00. So, stop by and pick up a bottle of our “spumante” It’s a wonderful champagne style wine, perfect for bringing in 2021.

Thanks to Brooke Coffey for visiting and doing the article.

https://www.obioncounty.org/blog/790-white-squirrel-winery

Lindsey Frilling (chamber director) and Brooke do a wonderful job promoting Obion County, securing grants and constantly pushing for Obion County businesses and industry. Thank you both.

This Thursday, Oct. 22nd from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Felicia Bella joins The White Squirrel Winery again for Food Fun & Fashion, not to mention the great WINE! We will be having an informal fashion show, so if you’re interested in modeling, please send Felicia a private FB message she will be glad to speak with you. Please RSVP by sending a private FB message or contacting: contacts@feleciabella.com and they will send you your leopard ticket. Please come and join us! We Are Going to have a blast!

If you have never seen “live” Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, this Saturday, October 17th is your opportunity.

Starting at 1:00 p.m. at White Squirrel Winery, under the pavillion, Dogwood BJJ from Dyersburg will be hosting a live charity event with proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.Join us!

Food vendor will be on site!

Come visit White Squirrel Winery and see the most up to date fashions, fresh from the market, as customers model and Flecia Bella broadcast “Live” on their weekly Facebook Live event.

visit Flecia Bella on the web: http://fleciabella.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feleciabella

TODAY, we have craft vendors set up at White Squirrel Winery from 1-6pm & MUSIC from 3-6pm! Come join us today & also don’t forget to wish BILL SANDERSON HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Saturday, 09/26/20 will be hosting our quarterly Wine Club pickup and music event. This year we are calling this our “Harvest Celebration” and we will be celebrating with friends and fellow wine club members while being entertained by Scott Myatt, Steve Short and the Rita Mack Band.

A complementary cheeseburger buffet will be offered to wine club members and 1-guest. Non members can purchase lunch for $10.

Also this year, we are allowing Arts and Crafts vendors to set up on the Grand lawn, free of charge for this Saturday Afternoon “pop up” event.

Due to the Covid pandemic we decided not to host our annual Arts and Music in the Vines event. So, this year’s harvest party will be a scaled down version of our annual event. Next year we will return back to our full scale Fall event.