AVA_Staff
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 The Grape Stomp at Animalia. Since its inception in 2001, AVA has contributed over one 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 2012 Vintners for the April:

AVA_Arrington_Vineyards

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.

AVA_Robledo

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

A VINTAGE AFFAIR’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ralph Drury - AVA Founder

Ashley W. Roberts - Managing Director

Dr. Mike Burgdorf

Robert Cook – Board Attorney

Meghan Guffee – Secretary

Michael Giammalvo – Board CPA

Al Gregory

Cynthia Himmelfarb

Janna Landry

Tracey Little

Adrien Lynch

Berkeley Nance

Lori Orme

Steve Smith

Luanne Wagner – Chairman

Stephanie Williams

Kate Yeager
Non-Profit Documentation
501(c)(3) Document
A Vintage Affair Charter
2008 Form 990
2009 Form 990

Bellaterra Ranch Winery and Cigars

 

Bellaterra Ranch, founded in 2001, is a family owned and operated ranch spread out over two picturesque farms located in historic Franklin, TN.  Our wine making is done in California, where grapes are sourced from highly respected vineyards and bottled at Bellaterra Ranch in Sonoma to produce rich, balanced Bellaterrawines with structure and depth to age gracefully. All of our cigars are produced in Nicaragua, made from cuban seed tobacco grown all over Central America. Providing the “finest things in life” is our passion, livestock is our peaceful therapy; livestock breeding is conducted in Tennessee where the weather and pasture growth is best for horses and longhorn cattle.

Bellaterra, “beautiful earth”, is the name of our 30 acre farm that fulfilled our dreams of creating a wonderful family life surrounded by horses, cattle and great wine. On the ranch we breed livestock with gentle dispositions and world class conformation. Our horses and cattle bring great joy and peace to our lives (as they will to yours too).

Our affection for wine started over 30 years ago when Mike spent time in the wine cellar with Catherine’s grandfather, an Italian wine maker, learning his craft. It was her grandfather, Dominic, who gave Catherine the stamp of approval to begin courting Mike when Grandpa approved and said “he’s a  good a boy!” in his strong Italian accent. While continuing to date through college, Mike also worked in a wine warehouse during the offseason of baseball.

After more than 40 trips to Napa/Sonoma during our marriage, finally Bellaterra Wine was created.  Cigars were a natural progression because the entire family enjoys them. Our wine customers asked us to create cigars that compliment wine (although it didn’t take much to convince us)…after three years of intense research and blind smoke tests, the first Bellaterra cigar was born.  Over the years, hardwork, love and passion have blessed our family and now the same traits bless our wine, cigars and our livestock.

“Our family is a circle of strength and love…Every joy shared adds more love…Every crisis faced togetherMakes the circle grow stronger.”


As you will see, our wine & cigar making philosophy is heavily influenced by the types of products that we enjoy sharing at our family events. At Bellaterra you will experience wines that are intensely flavored, richly textured, distinct as well as wines that taste great on their own but, when paired with food and a luxurious cigar, have the ability to transform a good meal into something truly memorable. We would be proud to have you share our wine with cherished family and friends. Welcome to our family, welcome to Bellaterra Ranch.