Tennessee Wine Tasting Toasts Foundation

Cool Springs Wines & Spirits in Franklin, Tennessee sponsored the first charity wine tasting to benefit the Tug McGraw Foundation this past Saturday, April 15, 2006. Local wine aficionados and Foundation supporters stopped in throughout the afternoon to sample limited production wines from the Landmark and Cedarville Wineries.

Criallo’s Bistro & Bar provided a home for the event, and visitors were treated to platters of cheeses and fruits along with an array of amazing wines and a sophisticated and relaxed atmosphere. Wine specialist Kim Hemby of Tennessee Wine and Spirits donated her talents behind the bar, sharing stories and backgrounds on each bottle that reached across the globe and back into history.

Jeff McMahon, Tim McGraw’s keyboardist and Foundation board member, stopped by and was especially impressed. “She was remarkable. Directing people to the perfect fruit to accompany a particular wine, or the one cheese that brings out the hidden character of another…all while explaining the geography of wineries in Northern Spain. It made for quite the charming afternoon.”

"Cool Springs Wines & Spirits has continually given back to our community through a variety of charitable organizations,” said Bryan Robbins, host for the event. “Teaming with the Tug McGraw Foundation allows us to help improve life for those with brain cancer and help researchers to eventually find a cure. Hopefully these seminars can become monthly events that allow us to donate to the foundation on a consistent basis.”

The Tug McGraw Foundation thanks Bryan Robbins with Cool Springs Wine & Spirits, Criallo’s Bistro & Bar, and Kim Hemby of Tennessee Wine of Spirits for their support.