Who We Are

The Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association

The Appalachian Region Wine Producers AssociationThe Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association was formed in 2015 to promote the common interest of its members in the grape and wine industry of the Appalachian region of East Tennessee.

Our work centers on the following:

  • Establishing identity for our wines – For the wine industry, a sense of place is crucial to brand identity. We believe the Nine Lakes Region of East Tennessee qualifies to be its own American Viticultural Area (AVA).  If we succeed in establishing a strong identity for our wines, we have the potential to attract investment, encourage production, and increase awareness of the wines offered to customers.
  • Promoting Quality and Teamwork – ARWPA is committed to increasing the quality of our regional wines, and we require our winery members to demonstrate quality through participation in competitions, and a lab-run Quality Assurance Program. Teamwork is fostered through participation in regional wine festivals and wine trails.
  • Promoting long-term investment – The wine industry is a long-term investment, like the vines themselves, and is more accurately viewed as the legacy of region, not the product of a vintage or year. ARWPA is committed to a long-term investment in the grape and wine industry of East Tennessee. Members of the Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association understand this and seek to work toward a vibrant and thriving industry here in the Nine Lakes Region of East Tennessee.

Benefits of membership

  • Members of ARWPA have the benefit of exposure at sponsored events, on the ARWPA website, in brochures about Nine Lakes Wine Country, and in all press releases, social media and other marketing venues produced by ARWPA.
  • ARWPA works closely with our regional Destination Marketing Organization, 9Lakes East Tennessee, to provide marketing exposure for our member wineries and wine trails.
  • Members work with a team dedicated to growing the wine and grape industry in East Tennessee.
  • Members are part of a larger effort to make East Tennessee a premier wine and cider destination.

How to become a member of ARWPA

Wineries and cideries must agree to participate in the following:

  • Be a member of a wine/cider trail in East Tennessee.
  • Enter your wines or ciders in at least one competition per year.
  • Participate in at least one Association-sponsored festival each year.
  • Attend one wine or cider education seminar per year.
  • Participate in the Association’s Quality Alliance Program (QAP).

Grower Members 

Grower membership includes wine grape growers within the Nine Lakes region including wineries with vineyards.

Associate Members

Associate membership is designed for businesses or individuals who benefit from the success of Nine Lakes Wine Country and its wine industry members including wine industry suppliers and community businesses. Associate members do business with wine industry members and therefore benefit indirectly by the added strength the region provides. Associate membership offers various marketing and networking opportunities.

Hospitality Members

Hospitality membership is designed for businesses and individuals offering hospitality related services for wine consumers visiting the Nine Lakes Region including Restaurants/Caterers, Lodging, Breweries/Distilleries, Specialty Foods, Wine Shops/Bars, Transportation services, Recreational Activities, and Olive Oil Tasting. Hospitality members are an integral part of the Nine Lakes Region allowing the organization to represent all businesses benefiting from the growing wine industry. Dues are assessed annually and are dependent on the level of membership you choose.

 

Thank you for your consideration for joining the Nine Lakes Wine Region community. If you have any questions about membership, please contact our Membership Manager to set up a call or meeting to discuss membership details:

Contact us about membership

 

ARWPA ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ARWPA Accomplishments

  • 2015 – The Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association was formed and the Great Valley Wine Trail was established.
  • 2016 – Established a marketing relationship with the Middle East Tennessee Tourism Council to begin investment in reputation capital, leading to a strong regional brand for Nine Lakes East Tennessee. Nine Lakes refers to the nine TVA-made lakes in the 16-county region surrounding Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • 2016 – With support from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, work began on a project to petition to the U.S. Tax and Trade Bureau to establish the first single state American Viticultural Area in Tennessee.
  • 2016 – With support from the United States Department of Agriculture, work began on a project to expand markets for rural wineries in Appalachia.
  • 2017 – Sponsored the first Nine Lakes Wine Festival, on Melton Lake in Oak Ridge.
  • 2017 – Established The High Country Wine Trail and the Foothills Wine & Cider Trail in East Tennessee.
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