06 Feb Wined Up! 101: What to Expect at Nashville’s Ultimate Wine Tasting
Wine lovers are invited to experience Wined Up!, Nashville’s premier upscale wine-tasting celebration, at City Winery on Friday, February 27.
The second night of Pairings weekend brings together more than 30 acclaimed West Coast vintners for a lively night of exceptional pours, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a wine-focused Silent Auction.
Whether this is your first wine event or you’re simply new to Wined Up!, here’s everything you need to know before you arrive to sip and swirl your way through this walk-around tasting!
The Evening at a Glance
Wine novices and veterans alike will enjoy the freedom of Wined Up!, which is an elevated walk-around tasting that encourages conversation and fun. In addition to visiting premier wineries, guests will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and food stations throughout City Winery and in the main tasting room.
This tasting is a come-and-go event, meaning you can arrive any time after the doors open at 6:00 pm. Dress code for this event is snappy casual attire (think business casual or polished, comfortable attire).
Prior wine knowledge is not required to attend or enjoy this event. Wined Up! is designed for everyone — from first-time wine event guests to seasoned enthusiasts — giving you the chance to discover what you do and don’t like, ask questions, and learn directly from winemakers and winery representatives.
You’ll taste wines rated 91 points or higher—a benchmark for outstanding quality, character, and craftsmanship. The widely used 100-point rating scale helps compare overall wine quality, and scores in the 90s represent some of the best wines being made. At Wined Up!, you’ll be tasting from that top tier.
Plan your evening (or don’t!)
Every winery pours tasting-sized samples of wines. This allows you to taste a wide variety of wines throughout the evening. Pacing yourself is encouraged — enjoy what interests you most.
You don’t have to taste everything — and most guests don’t. Before the event, be sure to check out the wine list and map for Wined Up! at nashvillewineauction.com/wined-up/. This is your opportunity to preview participating wineries and create a loose game plan.
Pro tip: If you love Chardonnay (or Cabernet, Pinot Noir, etc.), find those wineries on the list and visit them first — then circle back to your favorites.
If you have questions when you arrive, stop by the Information Desk in the lobby. Our team can help you get oriented, answer questions, and point you in the right direction.
The Silent Auction
In addition to tasting decadent wines and enjoying delicious bites, guests are encouraged to participate in the Silent Auction. Lots will be on display at City Winery, and bidding takes place conveniently on your phone throughout the evening via Mobile Bidding.
Registered attendees will receive a link via text for Mobile Bidding on Tuesday, February 24. No app download is required – just click the link. The auction closes at the conclusion of Wined Up! and lots can be picked up that evening or the following week at the Nashville Wine Auction office.
Be sure to check out all the auction lots! Many guests say the Silent Auction is a highlight and placing bids is an easy way to help fund the fight against cancer.
To learn more about our auctions, be sure to read our Auction 101 blog here.
Look for chances to take wine home
When you’re in between glasses, look out for drawings around the room! Entering these drawings gives you a chance to win wine.
And don’t forget your complimentary wine glass — you’ll pick it up on the way out.
A note about the Collectors’ Showcase
The Collectors’ Showcase is a separate, upgraded experience designed for serious collectors. It features rare and limited-production wines in a more intimate setting, starting at 5:30 pm. Availability is extremely limited and is already sold out.
This evening truly puts the “fun” in funding the fight against cancer. Wined Up! is meant to be exciting, social, and memorable — with incredible wine, great food, and an important cause at its heart.
Tickets are on sale now for Wined Up! Purchase your tickets here.
About the 101 Series
This article marks the third installment in our 101 series, inspired by the internal “101 sessions” we’ve long used to onboard new interns and new team members at Nashville Wine Auction. Over the years, these informal trainings have proven invaluable in breaking down the inner workings of our events and helping first-timers feel confident and prepared. We realized all our attendees could benefit from the same insider knowledge. In the coming months, we’ll continue the series with additional 101 articles designed to demystify different aspects of our events — from event overviews to wine selection and beyond.