Sip, sip, hooray! Ardenwoods Wine Explorers

Roughly once a month, Ardenwoods’ resident wine lovers meet to adventure through vineyards and vintages across the globe — all without leaving the community. Each gathering of the Wine Explorers club focuses on a theme, from New Zealand whites to Napa reds, with members (and local experts) sharing bottles, research and stories behind the selections.

Born from casual conversation and a shared appreciation for good wine, the Wine Explorers club began around 2017 when a few like-minded residents got to talking.

“We were just kind of like birds of a feather,” resident Janet Mitchell, one of the group’s founding members. “It wasn’t part of Ardenwoods’ official activities program at first — just a bunch of people getting together to enjoy wine and learn more about it. But we’ve learned a lot throughout the years. It’s been fun. I look forward to it. I think a lot of people do.”

In the early days, they called themselves the Wine Scouts. Each person brought their own glass, someone volunteered to select the wine and share what they’d learned, and the rest was a relaxed, resident-led tasting. “We chipped in ten dollars, met once a month, and that was about it,” Mitchell explained.

Then came COVID. The club paused, regrouped, renamed — graduating from mere scouts to explorers of wine — and re-emerged stronger than ever as an official Ardenwoods activity program, open to all residents. A sign-up sheet went out with a 20-person cap, which keeps things manageable for the dining staff, who help with setup in Grille, and the Wine Explorers resumed their regular after-dinner meetings.

Every gathering typically begins at 7:30 p.m. and has a curated theme, often highlighting a wine region or style. One recent evening focused on South African wines. “We had a map of the regions and three wines — a white, a rosé and a red,” Mitchell said. “We try to do at least two whites and two reds when we can, but it always depends on what the hosts choose.”

That’s the unique thing about the Wine Explorers: Everyone takes a turn. “That’s part of the deal,” Mitchell explained. “You do your part to investigate, choose the wines, and share the knowledge.”

One of Mitchell’s favorite tastings featured a selection of hors d’oeuvres paired with wines chosen by her daughter, Merit Wolff, who owns Wine Sage Merchant and Wine Bar in Hendersonville. In fact, Wolff has helped with selections for several of the gatherings — and has even attended in person to impart expert advice. For the Wine Explorers family, it’s a great connection to have.

Though the core group has stuck together through thick and thin for much of the last seven years, newcomers are always welcome to attend. “We encourage people to come,” Mitchell said. “You’re not committed to it every month — so you’re welcome to just come and see how you like it.”

These days, the process to attend is simple: A calendar listing announces the next tasting, and interested residents pay a small fee to confirm their spot, help cover the cost of the wine, and give the hosts an idea of how many bottles to order.

After taking a brief hiatus for the summer, the Wine Explorers plan to reconvene around August for their next tasting. Mitchell said she and other members have discussed planning more pairing events when they return — more hors d’oeuvres, a dinner or a perhaps a potluck — in addition to their usual cheese and cracker spread.

But at its heart, the club remains what it’s always been: a gathering of neighbors with a shared curiosity, a willingness to learn and a fondness for good wine and good company. “Anybody can learn about wine if they want to,” Mitchell said. “The information’s all out there — you just have to explore it.”

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