Eat, Imbibe & Explore: Embrace the Experience

There’s no denying — as demonstrated by these pages — that the Williamson County dining scene is vibrant and diverse. That doesn’t only mean you can choose from a dive bar, a popular chain or a romantic tête-à-tête. You don’t even need to dine with a roof over your head. The area offers an abundance of ways to enjoy eating and drinking in unorthodox (and exciting) settings. Break free of the dining room and head further afield to dine in a creek, sip wine in a Tennessee vineyard, or snack on charcuterie with goats and live music. Read on for some food and drink experiences that won’t be found at your standard dining table.

Goats and Guitars at Noble Springs Dairy

You may already be a fan of Noble Springs Dairy’s creamy, tangy goat cheese that can be found throughout the area at restaurants and markets alike. But perhaps you didn’t realize that Noble Springs, located about halfway between Franklin and Leiper’s Fork, offers more than delicious cheese at their farm. Head over for Goats and Guitars, a Saturday night event with dates through October, to enjoy a sampler board of Noble Springs’ artisan cheeses alongside live music, and snuggles from baby goats. Tickets are $15 for music and snuggles, with optional cheese boards as an add-on for $28. There are many other opportunities for snuggling baby goats, as well as noshing on and shopping for cheeses during the day every Saturday as well.

Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards isn’t a secret. Some sunny days it is so crowded that they have to turn people away. But there’s more than just wine tasting to experience at this vineyard. The sprawling property offers ample space for picnicking while sipping bottles purchased from the winery. Yes, you can bring your own picnic supplies, but why bother when caterer Simply Living Life offers order-ahead gourmet picnics ranging from cheeses, jams and crackers ($25) to beef tenderloin and baby chocolate bundt cakes ($65) served in a woven picnic basket. Food Truck Friday draws vendors such as Cousin’s Maine Lobster and Mac Shack to enjoy while listening to free live music. Saturday and Sunday feature Jazz on the Hillside, with select food options. For those who come for the winery’s bottles, wine tasting is offered every day at a variety of prices and commitments, from a self-guided flight ($16) to a food and wine pairing every last Friday of the month ($65). In addition to being a choose-your-own-foodie adventure at Arrington, it’s also a great place for people-watching.

Bullbourne Bison

Tennessee bison are the star of the menu when dining at one of Bullbourne Bison’s farm-to-table dinners. The animals are raised on the property where you’ll be dining in a gorgeous setting in Cornersville. Chef Brian Grobleski prepares private dinners for 10-20 guests at The Reserve for any occasion, incorporating produce from Bloomsbury Farm and other local growers alongside dry-aged bison cuts that are rarely available, like filet mignon. The ranch also hosts ticketed wine dinners and other events on the property with legends like Carey Bringle of Peg Leg Porker and others.

Stop Along the Whiskey Trail

A lot has happened in the years since Jack Daniel started his distillery and cemented Old No. 7 in Tennessee history, and that includes the birth of many more excellent sources for spirits in this state. Take a trip on the Tennessee Whiskey Trail to acquaint yourself with the many styles and expressions that can be found throughout the state. In and around Williamson County, stop by these four spots for history, spirits and a range of experiences.

Wines in the Fork and Creek Dinner Series

Dipping your tootsies in the flowing waters of the creek that’s located behind Wines in the Fork and sipping on a glass of wine is probably one of Williamson County’s best drinking experiences, particularly when the weather is hot and the rosé is cold. The farmstead market offers snacks (cheese, crackers and the like) for snacking, and live music is often available on the weekends. Take it a step further by dining on a four-course menu in the cool water of the Harpeth River at one of their popular creek dinners. This fall, they’ll take place at Bell’s Reserve in Kingston Springs, and include a cocktail hour with live music, before dinner from Rambler Events hits the table.

Olive Oil Tastings and Cooking Classes at Olivia Olive Oil

Olive oil is an essential ingredient in many recipes and well stocked in most of our pantries. At Olivia Olive Oil you can shop for it, of course. And you can learn more about it, so you are picking the right one for your needs. Schedule private tastings for up to 20 people (great for a party or a team-building outing) or sign up for a cooking class featuring olive oils and vinegars.