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Items filtered by date: September 2023

lie

“One day, you’re gonna write a book about my family, and it won’t be so pretty. Why all the secrets? Why all the lies?”

These fateful words were spoken to Jay Wilkinson by his mother, who had recently discovered a small piece of the secret history of their Italian family. After 12 years of extensive research, Jay Wilkinson disentangles the complex history of his family in New Orleans and Sicily in the book “A Lie Will Suffice: A DiGiovanni Family History”. Jay’s family had strong links to organized crime and all the drama that goes with it: Atlantic Ocean crossings, murder, extortion, vendetta, bootlegging, hostage-taking Fascists cracking down on Sicilian Mafiosi, labor influence on the New Orleans banana docks, two criminal trials, a secret interment in the family burial vault, the Great Depression and World War II. This book includes an extensive bibliography that supports and helps unravel and explain the sometimes difficult-to-discern, complex, but ultimately triumphant DiGiovanni-Guinta family history. It ends with the opaque revelation to the author by his Godfather, ten months before his Godfather’s death, of the most closely held family secret. 

“Picchi didi a verita farfantaria cia basta.”

(Why tell the truth when a lie will suffice.)

Join Ciao Asheville, Metro Wines, and author, Jay Wilkinson, for a presentation and book signing of Jay’s dramatic family story. This event will take place on Friday, November 3, from 2-3:30pm at Metro Wines, 169 Charlotte Street, Asheville. The event is free; however, registration is required. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author. Wine by the glass will be available for purchase. Please call Metro Wines at (828) 575-9525.

Note for attendees: Please park at the back of the parking lot at Metro Wines. 

About Jay Wilkinson

Jay Wilkinson was a United States Magistrate Judge at the federal trial court in New Orleans for 25 years until his retirement in 2020. Before his judicial appointment, he was a lawyer for 15 years and a newspaper reporter for two years. 

He is a life-long product of Louisiana and an honors graduate of the Tulane University School of Law (1980), the Louisiana State University School of Journalism, now the Manship School of Mass Communication (1976), Archbishop Shaw High School (1973) and Christ the King School. He is a husband, father and grand-father; great-grandson of Gaetano “Don Tano Baioco” and Angelina Bucaro DiGiovanni and the grandson of Natale and Antonia (Lena, Nia) Guinta. He is extremely proud of his Sicilian heritage and loves his extended DiGiovanni-Guinta-Wilkinson family more today than ever before. He lives with his wife Sue in Gretna, LA.

Sunday, 29 October 2023 15:45

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Sunday, 29 October 2023 15:44

Zipper

kristen
Kristen Calloway is The New General Manager @MetroWines!!
Kristen brings years of management experience, sound judgment and common sense 
(which John says turns out to be not so common!) We look forward to the next chapter of the business
with Kristen at the helm! BRAVA!
Sunday, 29 October 2023 08:54

Piaugier Tasting with Maude Piaugier

piaugier sablet rouge
**FIRST and LAST CALL**
Piaugier Wine Tasting
with Maude Piaugier
Join us on Tuesday, November 7th from 4-6 @MetroWines,
to meet Maude Piaugier and taste Piaugier Rhone Wines.
The tasting is "on the house" and "at the bar"
and no reservations are necessary.

 
  Jean-Marc', owner and winemaker, raised his daughters in the vineyards and cellar. Today, his oldest daughter Maude is traveling the world (including Asheville!) marketing French wines. In the words of Robert Parker, "This small estate, managed with intelligence and talent by Jean-Marc Autran, deserves praise for its Côtes du Rhônes the very high quality Gigondas which it regularly produces."
Sunday, 29 October 2023 08:50

Bubbles for Every Budget

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***First and Last Call ***
"Bubbles for Every Budget"
(Read: Bubbles for The People!)
Friday, November 3rd, 4-6:30
"At the Bar" and "On the House" 
with No Reservations Necessary.


With the celebratory season, all sorts of occasions for popping a cork pop-up! and we have you covered for every occasion and wallet.
4 bottles of Bubbles from around the world, selected by Juniper Cooper
of Johnson Brothers-Mutual Distributing of North Carolina, along with Gougères, the traditional pairing for Champagne. We look forward to seeing you and kicking off the Holidays with style, bubbles and Gougère!


PS: For those (me) who think cuisine has something to do with a microwave, a Gougère is a French baked pastry. Savory choux, pastry dough made by combine the butter, water, milk, salt, and granulated sugar together in a medium saucepan over medium heat, 
then blended with cheese. No microwave involved!
Friday, 27 October 2023 20:49

Dia de los Muertos 2023

SUNDAY OCTOBER 29, 2023 • 4-8 PM

Weaverville Community Center at Dottie Sherrill Knoll - 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787

Purchase Tickets Online Here

Wednesday, 25 October 2023 17:21

Andy Hale on AIR FB!

andy air
The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR)
recommended "The Foundations of Wine" Class at AB Tech
presented byAndy Hale, Director of Education @MetroWines. 
Sunday, 22 October 2023 10:58

Harvest Farm Dinner

 
black bird
*** Last Call ***
Harvest Farm Dinner at Blackbird
Monday, October 23rd, 6:30
Menu and Details Here:
 
The WOW FACTOR: The Farmers Join Us!
The evening is $125 (exclusive of tax & gratuity). Seating is limited .
Please reserve your seat by calling Brenden Wyand at  828-254-2502
or email: information@theblackbirdrestaurant.com 
 
 
Monday, 16 October 2023 13:40

Another 5 Star Review for Kristen!

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"Kristen was fabulous to work with! She made the planning process easy and ensured that our wedding bar was stocked with the perfect quantity of our chosen beer and wine selections for our 200 guests. We highly recommend Metro Wines for your wedding or other big event ~ rest assured, their professional team has you covered!'
Sunday, 01 October 2023 09:20

Wayne