Wine Over Water Festival

Wine Over Water Festival is a grand tasting wine festival held annually in Chattanooga, Tennessee — set on the historic Walnut Street Bridge, a 2,376-foot pedestrian span crossing the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. The event draws around 3,000 attendees and features over 50 wineries pouring more than 300 different wines sourced from regions across the globe, including producers such as Napa Valley's Robert Mondavi and France's Louis Jadot.

The festival's defining characteristic is its venue: guests sample wines while walking the length of the Walnut Street Bridge, with views of the Tennessee River, Lookout Mountain, and the Chattanooga city skyline. Local restaurants — including Easy Bistro, St. John's, and Public House — serve gourmet small plates alongside the wine pours. Live jazz and acoustic performances from regional artists accompany the tasting experience throughout the event. Wine Over Water Festival features over 50 wineries and more than 300 wine selections, held annually on the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The Wine Over Water Festival serves as the signature fundraiser for Cornerstones Inc., a Chattanooga-based historic preservation organization, meaning ticket purchases directly support local preservation efforts. The festival has run for over two decades, establishing a consistent tradition in the Chattanooga events calendar. Specific ticket prices and dates for the upcoming edition have not yet been announced; prospective attendees should check official sources for current pricing and scheduling details before planning travel.

Chattanooga sits at the edge of Tennessee's emerging wine country, with the broader state home to a growing number of wineries producing varieties suited to the southeastern climate. The Walnut Street Bridge itself — one of the longest pedestrian bridges in the world — adds a layer of local heritage to the tasting format that few wine festivals can replicate. For visitors combining the festival with a Chattanooga trip, the bridge connects the North Shore neighborhood to downtown, placing attendees within walking distance of the city's riverfront dining and cultural attractions.