If grapes could talk, they'd recount their dreams, the first time they got plucked, and the first time they felt victimized by nature's rumor mill—the vine. Taste the tales of the grape with today's Groupon: for $15, you get a home-winemaking class at Falderal Winery in Hendersonville (a $30 value). Classes take place on the second Saturday of each month from 3 p.m to 6 p.m. and on the third Thursday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Falderal Winery welcomes guests into the oak-study tasting room twice a month to expound upon the scientific miracle of fermentation. Instructor and vintner Paul Kovacich, a native of the terroir of western North Carolina, wields his experience at Thistle Meadow Winery to aid the public during fermented endeavors. Paul's class covers the winemaking process, from the addition of yeast to bottling to making labels out of cartoons from the New Yorker. Reservations are recommended, as the winery caps classes at eight students.

Posteducation, students have the option to apply their knowledge in a tasting of the fermented fructose made on-site at Falderal Winery. With wines made from traditional varietals—including chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon as well as fruit-flavored wines like cranberry chianti and raspberry white zinfandel—customers will be able to swirl, sip, and swish a variety of enological products. Regardless of which sips tickle the buds, all participants receive a complimentary, souvenir wineglass to commemorate their brief union with the grape.

Reviews

The Times-News and Bold Life have featured Falderal Winery:

• A tasting room offers a chance to sample and perhaps get inspired to make wine in your own home. Two wooden zinc-topped bars are set at perpendicular angles with a row of leather straight-back chairs – Beth Beasley, Times-News
• Students learned the process of home winemaking, brought home a bottle of Thistle Meadow and had a tasting of wines available at Falderal. Picture-perfect. – Keith Dalbec, Bold Life