Arrington Vineyards

Kix Brooks, half of Brooks & Dunn, the best-selling country duo behind “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” co-owns this winery in the Williamson County hills, 25 miles south of Nashville, with winemaker Kip Summers.

The first vines went into a 25-acre former hog farm here in 2003. Brooks added the adjacent cattle farm in 2004, and its small farmhouse became the tasting room.

Bottling began in April 2007, and the doors opened on July 1, 2007. When Tennessee legalized direct wine shipping in 2009, the partners launched Kix’s Wine Club.

Summers was running Beachaven Vineyards in Clarksville when he signed on to make the wine here. The operation now covers about 95 acres and draws about 200,000 guests a year.

Brooks traces the idea to a wine club membership Tim McGraw and Faith Hill gifted him. Touring Napa wineries, he started asking why Tennessee could not regain its old wine industry.

The 2004 Syrah took Best of Show at the Wines of the South competition, and the winery sold out its entire 2005 vintage within months.

Music in the Vines fills weekends from April to November: free jazz on the hillside, bluegrass at the barn, plus a songwriter series. No reservations, and the picnic areas are shaded.