No, it’s not Halloween just yet – we aren’t talking the spooky kind of spirits. We are referring to our neighborhood libation stop, the Berry Farms Wine & Spirits store in The Village. Fall is slowly creeping up on us and cool evenings on the porch sometimes call for a hot toddy to chase away the chill. You can find your favorite rum or whiskey for that toddy, along with some other unexpected delights to brighten your spirits, right on the corner across from Tito’s.
Berry Farms Wine & Spirits is owned by a local couple, Sonny and Alka Patel, who also own Harpeth Liquors on Hwy. 96 in Franklin. You may have seen their son working in the store this summer, but he is now back at school and Dennis and Kris are the day and evening managers with all the knowledge to help you find that perfect bottle of wine or just the right port or cognac for after dinner. They open at 9:00 a.m. Monday thru Saturday and close at 9:00 p.m. except on Friday and Saturday they are open until 10:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday.
Free tastings are one of our favorite delights when we stop by on Friday or Saturday evenings from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. It’s very informal. Kris chooses a few wines (and sometimes surprises us with other spirits like whiskey and rum) to set out and pour a small “taste” for customers looking to expand their libation repertoire. They also offer beer tastings from the Growler Station anytime. What? Don’t know about the Growler Station? Tucked in the corner to the left as you come in is a small bar with high gravity and local beers on tap ready to refill your Berry Farms Wine & Spirits Growler. It’s a local favorite!
Another pleasant surprise is the discount opportunities we found. Sign up for Spot On Rewards (it’s fast and easy at the little touch screen by the check-out counter) and receive a 10% discount on your entire purchase after 7 “Spot” check-ins. You can also receive a 10% discount anytime you purchase a full case – and you can mix-and-match most items in the store to make a “variety pack”. There are a few exceptions, like already discounted specials, etc. – but not many. What a nice surprise!
The last delight we came across is The Wine Well Chilling Service. This is so cool. It looks like a barrel of swirling water – which it is – but the water is actually very, very cold. Drop you bottle of choice in the swirling bath and it will be perfectly cold in 5 minutes – ice cold in 7 minutes. Really. It’s the coolest thing.
And if that isn’t enough to raise your spirits, we don’t know what will. Welcome Fall! Berry Farms is ready!
By Lisa Gregory September 14, 2016