The Georgia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association will be the beneficiary of the Deep South Wine & Music Festival taking place August 26 – 28 at Deep South Farm in the scenic mountains of Ellijay in North Georgia. The festival will feature a weekend filled with wine tastings, nouveau mountain cuisine and live music at three picture perfect locations: Deep South Farm, Engelheim Vineyards and Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery.

The festival will begin Friday, August 26 with a Dinner in the Vines, a fine wine tasting and intimate dining experience at the Engelheim Winery, where the owner will guide guests through perfect pairings of their wine specialties and food crafted by Gerard Monte and Hector Rosano of Madeline's Coast 2 Coast Catering. On Saturday, VIP patrons and sponsors will experience an exclusive hour of culinary delights from chef Laura Rogers of C. Parks Catering & Events, as well as wine and a special live music performance in Deep South Farm's open and rustic barn. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., The Grand Wine Tasting will include sampling and sipping on local food and wine while listening to live music played on a festival stage from headliner Gretchen Peters, Athens, Georgia-based country group, LAUGHLIN, Nashville newcomer Taylor Loren and high-energy bluegrass band, The Accomplices. The weekend will conclude on Sunday with a Bluegrass Brunch at Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery.

"Research has shown that music enriches the lives of many Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers. The sound of music helps them remember and reconnect with the memories that have been lost to the disease," said Leslie Gregory, president & CEO – Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter. "The proceeds from this event will play a role in supporting the North Georgia region, helping to fund programs and services for local families who are facing the deadly disease," she added.

The owners of Deep South Farm have been closely affected by Alzheimer's disease and were happy to lend their name to an event hosted by the Alzheimer's Association. "This group have been long-time advocates for the Alzheimer's Association and are happy to have this event on their farm to raise awareness and funds to fight and end Alzheimer's," said Gregory. "We are thrilled to see this wine and music event come to life and know that the proceeds of such a fun event will be reinvested in the community to help those living with the disease."

The 2016 Deep South Wine & Music Festival Schedule of Events follows:

· Friday, August 26 – Dinner in the Vines
Engelheim Winery - 6:30 p.m.
Wine pairing with a four course meal
$125 per ticket

· Saturday, August 27 – VIP Tasting
Deep South Farm - 6:30 p.m.
Celebrity Chef, culinary delights, wine & music
$125 per ticket

· Saturday, August 27 – Grand Wine Tasting
Deep South Farm - 7:30 p.m.
Variety of wines, local food & live music
$75 per ticket

· Sunday, August 28 – Bluegrass Brunch
Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery Noon
Variety of wines, local food and & live music.
$50 per ticket

· Weekend Pass
Entrance to Dinner in the Vines, VIP tasting, Grand Wine Tasting & Bluegrass Brunch
$300 per ticket

To learn more about the Deep South Wine & Music Festival and purchase tickets, visit www.deepsouthfest.org.