Love, like wine, is a powerful potion. It can move mountains and make dreams come true. The wine festival, Vintage901, was born from love — love for a husband, a city, and the desire to gather all Memphis folk in the spirit of good times.
Ten years ago, when pondering the possibility of a tribute to her late husband, Chuck Ferreira, Stephanie Ferreira recalled Chuck’s dream to organize a wine and music event like the festivals they had enjoyed together in Santa Fe, Martha’s Vineyard, and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
By profession, Memphis native Stephanie Ferreira is a florist and event planner, a dream whisperer when it comes to bringing clients’ ideas to life. But when it was time for Stephanie to execute her late husband’s vision for a wine festival, she felt unsure of her capabilities to make the affair as marvelous as he’d described it during their 18 years of midnight conversations. After all, Chuck was a world traveler, cultured, curious, and constantly basking in the discovery of new food, music, and wine.
For two years after his death, Stephanie brooded. She spoke with family and friends about the wine festival idea. She prayed until her love for Chuck inspired her to take the leap.
Remembering Chuck, Stephanie says, “Wherever we went, the magic was the same. He was always laughing, learning, and sharing stories over food and wine.” Chuck believed with all the love in him that Memphis deserved the same magic that he and Stephanie experienced during their travels. He envisioned a festival where community wasn’t just welcomed but celebrated, where wine and food were the glue sticks to establishing deeper connections with disparate groups across race, religion, roots, and regions.
Stephanie’s first Vintage901 tasting popped off in 2016, with several hundred Memphians convening at the former Fairgrounds’ Pipkin Building for a sampling of national and international wine varieties along with tapas, wine talks, and culinary demonstrations. Though Chuck passed away in 2013, Vintage901 is the realization of his dream. The wine and food are still the accoutrements, while the soul of the festival remains the people.
As Vintage901 grew bigger over the years, so did the vision. Today, proceeds from the event are invested in what Stephanie calls “vinlanthropy” and “culanthropy,” supporting Memphis students through scholarships in viniculture and culinary arts. Vintage901 also proudly supports and uplifts groups such as the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis, the Mid-South Food Bank, Choices, Overton Park Shell, Hope House, Literacy Mid-South, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
In February, Vintage901 will host wine tasting events to celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Sparkling Brunch will be held Sunday, February 8th, at The Lobbyist, a Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant in Downtown. With food served by chef Jimmy Gentry, the featured wines will be “sparklers” from France, Italy, California, and Oregon. Early bird tickets are $125 until December 31st.
Wine and good vibrations don’t stop there. In the spring, Vintage901 will host a Grand Tasting on Saturday, April 18th, at the Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center. This event will include an exclusive selection of old- and new-world wines with sommelier Laurie Forster, the “Wine Coach,” serving as host. Steve Lee’s Memphis Jazz Workshop will bring the music. The Grand Tasting VIP ticket will allow guests to attend a VIP reception, take a wine education class, and receive a delicious serving of signature cocktails, bourbons, and wines.
In 2026, Vintage901 invites you to show up, not only for wine, but for each other. Make a toast to life, love, and light. Come together. CHEERS!
For more information and tickets, visit vintage901.org.