Name: Rain doesn't stop tasters at the SML Wine Festival
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Rain doesn't stop tasters at the SML Wine Festival

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Skip to main contentSkip to main contentYou have permission to edit this article.EditRead Today's E-edition© 2023 Lee EnterprisesTerms of Service Privacy PolicySubscribeRead Today's E-editionShare ThisRain doesn't stop tasters at the SML Wine FestivalShare thisStaff at the tent for Wine Vineyards from Tappahannock filled the glasses of eager tasters at Saturday’s Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.A steady downpour of rain soaked everyone who attended the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival on Saturday.AmRhein’s Wine Cellars from Bent Mountain Virginia provided tastings for the crowds at Saturday’s Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.MONETA — The remnants of Tropical Storm Ophelia made for a rain-soaked Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival on Saturday.Despite the weather, a crowd of eager wine tasters braved the elements to fill their glass.Attendees donned boots, raincoats and umbrellas as they made their way into the festival Saturday morning. The event experienced a steady downpour of rain throughout the day.The weather didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of many who attended. People continued to line up at each of the more than a dozen wineries.“I don’t mind it at all,” said David Oest who came to the festival from Winston-Salem with his wife. “It’s a good time.”Crystal Knuttgen of Moneta and Alicia Hodges of Roanoke attended the wine festival on Saturday to show their support for Crazy Horse Marina. They were excited to have it back at the marina after moving to Mariner’s Landing in Huddleston last year.The wine festival was last held at Crazy Horse Marina in 2019 before the event took a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.“We are glad to have it back at Crazy Horse,” Knuttgen said.Mary Smith, owner of The Homeplace Vineyard in Chatham, was also impressed with the number of people who came out on Saturday. While she said visitors to the winery’s tasting booth were low, she expected much less.“There are more people here than I thought there would be,” Smith said.While sales were slower Saturday, Smith expected to make up anything lost due to the weather during the second day of the festival on Sunday when better weather is forecast.Organizer Tim Reith with Hook, Lines and Singers estimated a few thousand braved the weather on Saturday. He said some ticket holders are likely planning to hold off until Sunday.“We are expecting between five and seven thousand people tomorrow,” Reith said of Sunday traffic for the festival.In addition to clearer skies, the second day of the festival on Sunday will feature a performance by country music artist Morgan Myles.Money raised at this year’s wine festival will go to several area nonprofits. Reith had previously said he would like to raise enough money this year to give $10,000 to each of the nonprofits. Those donations are expected to be handed out later this year.Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3324jason.dunovant@roanoke.comA Penhook man died after striking a tree while operating a boat on Smith Mountain Lake on Saturday.The body of a Roanoke man was recovered from water near Crazy Horse Marina at Smith Mountain Lake earlier Monday.&nbsp;Staff at the tent for Wine Vineyards from Tappahannock filled the glasses of eager tasters at Saturday’s Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.A steady downpour of rain soaked everyone who attended the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival on Saturday.AmRhein’s Wine Cellars from Bent Mountain Virginia provided tastings for the crowds at Saturday’s Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.

Skip to main contentSkip to main contentYou have permission to edit this article.EditRead Today's E-edition© 2023 Lee EnterprisesTerms of Service Privacy PolicySubscribeRead Today's E-editionShare ThisRain doesn't stop tasters at the SML Wine FestivalShare thisStaff at the tent for Wine Vineyards from Tappahannock filled the glasses of eager tasters at Saturday’s Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.A steady downpour of rain soaked everyone who attended the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival on Saturday.AmRhein’s Wine Cellars from Bent Mountain Virginia provided tastings for the crowds at...

Rain doesn't stop tasters at the SML Wine Festival

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