This October, Southall welcomes back renowned author and cider maker, Diane Flynt for a weekend dedicated to celebrating the rich history of crisp and delicious apples. Diane has an extensive history with Southall, playing a large role in the resort’s orchard growth at its conception and will be returning to the property to bring her love and knowledge of apple varieties to Southall’s guests and locals alike. Timed to her book launch for “Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South,” Flynt will join Southall’s Orchardist Josh Martin, to host a weekend full of fun apple-themed activities, paired with digestible and educational moments that might just inspire them to go home and plant an apple tree on their own! The weekend’s itinerary will include:

• Friday, October 6:
  • 7 pm | Apple Dinner at the Covered Bridge – (Ticket includes signed copy of Diane Flynt’s Book: “Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South”)
• Saturday, October 7:
  • 10am | Orchard Tour + Apple Tasting with Josh Martin + Diane Flynt
  • 12:30pm | Apple Archery
  • 4pm | Apple Food Fables + Book Signing in the Jammery

The Apple Weekend with Diane Flynt may be booked by calling reservations at 615.282.2000. Weekend event fee is $1,000 (sold separately from room) and inclusive of all items within the itinerary.

About Diane Flynt:

In 1997, Diane planted a cider apple orchard with over 30 heirloom cider varieties with the goal of making fine cider using the same techniques and care that go into making fine wine. Southern cider varieties like Hewe’s Crab and Grimes Golden, as well traditional English cider apples such as Tremlett’s Bitter, produced top quality cider fruit for Foggy Ridge Cider’s six cider blends. She was a four-time James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Beverage Professional, including Finalist in 2017 and 2018. In 2019 Diane sold her last cider vintage called Foggy Ridge Final Call. She now sells apples to cider makers throughout the South. Today, Diane is active in national and state apple and cider initiatives and has played a leading role in promoting Virginia wine. She frequently speaks on cider, farming and food culture topics.

About Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South

Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived: The Surprising Story of Apples in the South will be published by the University of North Carolina Press under the Ferris & Ferris Imprint in August 2023. This work explores the rich history of apple growing in the South in a deeply researched and lavishly illustrated work. Chef Sean Brock’s foreword introduces the author as a skilled horticulturist, tree fruit grower, and trailblazing cidermaker. The University of North Carolina Press will publish Wild, Tamed, Lost, Revived in September 2023. The book can be pre-ordered from Amazon.