SML Wine Festival Gets Revamped; National Acclaimed Bands to Perform

The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce (SMLRCC) today announced plans to revamp the SML Wine Festival, the area’s largest and longest-running annual event, which will take place Sept. 25-26 at Mariners Landing.

Tickets are on sale now and, according to SMLRCC Executive Director Andy Bruns, both days are expected to sell out.

“This will be the 32nd Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival and the organizing committee felt the timing was right to elevate the experience,” Bruns said. “For that reason, we’re bringing in three nationally acclaimed bands that will ensure the festival is a can’t-miss fall event at SML.”

Saturday’s headline band will be The SteelDrivers, a Nashville-based bluegrass group that has been nominated for several Grammy Awards and won for Best Bluegrass Album in 2015. On Sunday, eight-piece soul band St. Paul & The Broken Bones will perform in the headliner spot. A third nationally known band will also be scheduled.

“St. Paul & the Broken Bones is a super talented ensemble that’s performed at such acclaimed festivals as Coachella, Bonnaroo and Lollapaloza,” Bruns said. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome them to the lake along with several other talented performers.”

Other featured bands will include North Carolina-based brass funk band Empire Strikes Brass and Three Sheets to the Wind, a popular yacht rock band from Richmond. 

Bruns said Mariners Landing will provide a more intimate setting to enjoy the music, wine tasting, artisan craft vendors and incredible views of Smith Mountain Lake. General admission tickets are $65 and VIP tickets are $195. In addition, boat slips may be rented for $95 per day and private chalets for $895. 

“For the ultimate experience, patrons can upgrade to VIP tickets to enjoy a special viewing area, gourmet meals catered by The Landing Restaurant, complimentary drinks and access to an indoor, air-conditioned space with private restrooms,” Bruns said. “Chalets will also be available again this year so friends, families or companies may reserve private, shaded space with prime viewing of the music stage.”

Bruns said the Wine Festival is the Chamber’s largest non-dues fundraiser with proceeds used to grow and develop programs to promote tourism and business in the lake region. In addition to numerous Virginia wineries, festival visitors will be able to browse the booths of dozens of quality artisan vendors.

“We are so excited about the new energy being infused into this year’s Wine Festival,” Bruns said. “Attendance will be limited so we encourage people to purchase tickets as soon as possible. We expect both days to sell out.”

Tickets may be purchased securely online at smlwinefestival.com.

For more information, log on to smlwinefestival.com or contact Bruns at 540-721-1203 or [email protected].