Nearwood Winery recently broke ground for a new winery and residence just south of Knoxville on November 22nd.

The groundbreaking is for a planned 2,688 sq. ft. winery and a 1,500 sq. ft. residence that will be built on property that currently supports an acre of grapevines which were planted in 2013. Joann Schissel with the Winery tells KNIA/KRLS News they wanted to build a new facility because they have simply outgrown the old one. Schissel says the owner Mike Van Natta wanted to make sure he could build a new facility in the Knoxville area. Located directly off Hwy 14 and less than two minutes south of Knoxville, the winery will house grape processing, bottling and Tasting Room facilities. The current Nearwood Winery Tasting Room in downtown Knoxville will remain open as well. The winery is expected to bring the growing agri-tourism industry dollars into the area as well as be a venue for parties and receptions for area residents. Completion of the project is anticipated in the spring of 2018.