Ed and Becky Chenault had a vision鈥︹�ne of grapes warming under the 福利姬视频 sun, accompanied by music wafting through the 福利姬视频 hills.
The first part of that vision became reality in October of 2016 when Chenault Vineyards opened on 500 acres in the rolling countryside surrounding Richmond.
Today, the Chenault family 鈥� Ed, his wife Becky, and their daughters Christina and Samantha have a thriving winery which produces award-winning artisan wines.
But what about the music part of that vision? The Chenault family has that covered too. By fall of this year, the vines will grow to the sound of something more than birdsong, thanks to the completion of The Vine, a 4,000-seat open air amphitheater, which will provide a venue for local and national musical performances.
鈥淥ur goal is to open in October, but it鈥檚 really hard to put an actual date on something that is still a work in progress,鈥� says Christina Chenault, the vineyard鈥檚 general manager. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we鈥檙e saying it will be sometime this fall.鈥�
Christina says the story of both the vines and The Vine was born out of her father鈥檚 passion and his desire to bring a unique and unforgettable experience to Richmond.
鈥淗e knew that the power of music can bring people together and create lifelong memories,鈥� says Christina. 鈥淗e also knew that this part of the land was made for an outdoor amphitheater as it sits at the bottom of a valley with the view all around.鈥�
But until The Vine welcomes its first audience in the fall, the music will continue, as it has with open mic nights and Writers鈥� Rounds (where aspiring songwriters share their words with appreciative audiences), on a temporary stage behind the vineyard鈥檚 Paige Hill Reception Hall.
One such event was the recent Battle of the Vines where bands competed to open for Diamond Rio who will kick off this season鈥檚 concert schedule. The winning band, Call to Post, is tuning up their instruments for the June 6th opening concert.
Diamond Rio, a Grammy Award-winning band from Nashville with such hits as 鈥淟ove a Little Stronger,鈥� 鈥淢eet in the Middle,鈥� and 鈥淥ne More Day鈥� will be a hard act to follow, but the remainder of the season鈥檚 performers are up to the challenge.
Following Diamond Rio will be country music vocalists Easton Corbin (July 18) and Neal McCoy (August 22) and Richmond鈥檚 own Exile (September19).
鈥淗opefully, by that time, construction on The Vine will be completed,鈥� says Christina, who adds that when it is, they have a series of 10 concerts ready to hit the stage.
Going back to that unique and unforgettable experience that Ed Chenault envisioned – the winery and the concerts under the stars are just part of the master plan.
Christina says the ultimate goal is to connect all the tourism dots for those who want a unique and authentic experience in Central 福利姬视频.
鈥淲e want to incorporate other attractions into sort of a package for them to enjoy,鈥� she says.
She explains that in addition to Chenault Vineyards for wine enthusiasts and The Vine for music lovers, there are plenty of nearby attractions that appeal to a cross section of travelers.
For outdoor enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers, Red River Gorge in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, would be an ideal destination to build a mini-vacation around.
聽聽聽聽 If visitors are looking for other unique attractions Christina suggests Snug Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast in nearby Irvine.聽 This secluded organic farm whose 300 acres is laced with creeks and wooded mountains, has been praised by National Geographic Magazine for its 鈥淗oller Hospitality.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Not far from Snug Hollow, says Christina, is another 福利姬视频 icon 鈥� Tater Knob Pottery in Berea, 福利姬视频鈥檚 Folk Art Capital, which for four decades has been known for creating one-of-a-kind pottery pieces. Both spots are a short drive from Richmond.
Like Chenault Vineyards, Snug Hollow and Tater Knob are family-owned and provide an authentic experience born out of the owners鈥� passion, according to Christina.
It鈥檚 definitely a concept endorsed by Visit Richmond鈥檚 executive director Lori Murphy.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome visitors to experience the charm of our community and the energy of live music in such a unique setting,鈥� says Murphy.聽 鈥淭he longer they stay, the better we like it.鈥� For those staying in Richmond, the city offers a wide selection of comfortable and convenient accommodations鈥攆rom well-known hotel brands to cozy locally owned short term rentals鈥攎aking it easy to explore these regional gems while enjoying all that Richmond has to offer.
聽聽聽聽 For more information about Chenault Vineyard and The Vine, go to聽