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Vintage901 Founder Stephanie Ferreira: FACES of Memphis

1/28/2019

 
PictureStephanie Ferreira can be spotted regularly at Crosstown Concourse, the venue for this year's Grand Tasting.
by Kristen Waddell
January 28, 2019

The phrase ‘never met a stranger’ could very well have been referencing our newest FACE of Memphis, Stephanie Ferreira, founder of Vintage901. After visiting and living in other cities and then coming home to the Bluff City, she believes even more in its undeniable character and rich culture. So Stephanie started thinking about ways to bring Memphis together to connect and celebrate our city’s unique culture, in turn building a stronger community. She decided to create a nonprofit community organization with events and an annual weekend experience where relationships are formed over shared interests: wine, food and music. And thus, Vintage901 and its signature annual Vintage901 Wine & Food Festival was born.
Stephanie wears many personal and professional hats each day, none of which seem to slow her down. In addition to maintaining her community organization and planning an upcoming fundraiser, Stephanie stays busy running her family’s floral and event business and raising her two teenagers, a son and daughter. In her rare free time, Stephanie can be found traveling from coast to coast to spend time with extended family or attend a wine dinner. We are delighted to introduce our newest FACE of Memphis, Stephanie Ferreira!

Where did the idea of your nonprofit community organization, Vintage901, come from?It came from the privilege of experiencing wine and food events with my late husband. We learned about wine and more about each other, we laughed out loud and held hands in silence, we met great people from many places and we drank more wine. It was always a great day.
Initially, it was personal around my husband and my interests. But it has already become something much more on its own. It has become the experience between the people. It’s about the organic relationship-building and bridging the gaps and finding friends in common or through crossed paths.
What does your tagline, Community. Culture. Purpose., mean?We are a grassroots organization providing experiences for people living in or visiting our city to connect with one another and learn something new. Our mission is to engage, educate and entertain our guests by providing artistic and creative culinary programming and using our individual talents to foster philanthropy for a greater good.
Is Vintage901 only for wine connoisseurs?Vintage901 has developed a curriculum of sorts that works well for the curious, as well as the connoisseur. Our goal is to provide guests with an enjoyable experience and have them leave with new information they can apply often, whether they have any prior experience or knowledge on the subject.

Scenes from last year’s Grand Tasting at Crosstown Concourse, which featured wines galore, culinary tastings from award-winning chefs, crafters and other vendors and live music. Image: Vintage901

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Tell us about the big upcoming event?Yes! Our Third Annual Spring Wine & Food Festival is coming up March 1-3, 2019,. The weekend event consists of a Perfect Pairings dinner Friday, Grand Tasting Saturday and Sparkling Brunch Sunday. There is something for everyone! During each of the three days, we will showcase diverse Memphis venues and explore our local crafters and makers. We are bringing in Grand Sommelier Laurie Forster, The Wine Coach, to pair wines for each day’s offerings. Laurie will provide an ‘edutainment’ wine class during the Grand Tasting, and she will be available to speak with guests, answer questions and provide an additional resource to our local wine partners throughout the weekend.
What is your favorite thing about Memphis?My favorite thing is that it is the city where I was born. Memphis, along with a wonderful family, helped to shape who I am, and I believe the environment couldn’t have been more nurturing. I have lived in several other cities, and that gives you another perspective when coming home — there is nothing like coming home.
What would be the first place would you take an out-of-towner in Memphis?To one of Memphis’ great local restaurants (there are too many to name just one) for a wonderful meal and a glass of wine, possibly introduce them to a good Tennessee wine.
PHOTOStephanie Ferreira with Vintage901’s Grand Sommelier Laurie Forster during last year’s Perfect Pairings dinner | Image: Vintage901

What is your favorite city to visit?I really enjoyed visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico. I appreciated the welcoming nature of the people who live in Santa Fe. Their kindness only enhanced the richness of the culture and beauty of the desert city.
What is something not everyone knows about you?I love music, any type of music, if it’s good … I just like talent. Also, I can play the piano and violin.
What is on your playlist?I don’t really have a traditional playlist, as my musical taste is all over the board. I was raised on jazz and pop — Nina Simone, Nat King Cole, Miles Davis, Coleman Hawkins — and folk music like Odetta, Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul & Mary. I like classical music. My favorites are Chopin, Tchaikovsky from the Baroque period and Rachmaninoff from the Romantic period. I like opera, specifically Maria Callas and Kathleen Battle. I will listen to anything Soul, Motown and Stax … Prince, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, David Bowie, Sting and Phil Collins. I love the Gotan Project (Latin) and the Punch Brothers. I listen to Drake, Travis Scott, Cardi B and Migos, because my kids like them. I mean I’m definitely not stuck in a time warp. I’ve got to stay relevant!


What inspires you?Adults who intentionally live their dreams … the honesty, innocence and fearless attitudes of small children … experiencing natural beauty — oceans, mountains, rolling hills and green valleys — and knowing there’s a higher power.

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A spread of smoked salmon with bagels and fixings; chicken and waffles; live music; camaraderie and conversation; and, of course, bubbly were on in abundance at last year’s Sparkling Brunch. Image: Vintage901

What is your secret to a work life balance?Easiest question ever. Absolutely love what you do, and balance quickly follows.
What is your best piece of advice?Trust your instincts and always be patient with yourself; it will make you patient with others. I have learned on numerous occasions that if I’m uncomfortable with a situation in the beginning, I will be uncomfortable with it at the end. I process difficult information in a gentle way, so that I do not upset myself or others too much.
What are three frivolous or lighthearted things you can’t live without?Comfy pajamas; teapigs tea — I’ve got to have it every morning; and classic black and white movies — I watch Turner Classic Movies every chance I get. I specifically enjoy period pieces, such as Jane Austen.

Thank you, Stephanie!

The Third Annual Vintage901 Spring Wine & Food Festival is coming up March 1-3, 2019. Tickets for Grand Tasting and Sparkling Brunch are available at vintage901.org. (Three-Day Weekend passes and Perfect Pairings dinner are SOLD OUT.)

                                                                                           **********

Link: Vintage901 Founder Stephanie Ferreira: FACES of Memphis

Dan Conaway: How can a place so warm and soulful in so many ways be so cold and soulless

10/1/2018

 
"Thursday night, Memphis took a bullet. Phil Trenary was the city..." Well said, Dan Conaway​! Even those who didn't have a personal relationship with Phil​ are mourning his senseless death. My heart is heavy in the days following this inexcusable crime, and I pray constantly for absolute justice in this case. I pray for peace and comfort when there is no understanding the WHY. This was a gut punch to all who loved Phil, to those who knew or who worked with him and to anyone who calls Memphis home! But while we grieve, we should continue to keep hope in our hearts and work tirelessly to build up this city and keep moving forward. 

>>>>>>>
​
​Dan Conaway's article How can a place so warm and soulful in so many ways be so cold and soulless  ran Saturday, September 29, 2018 in The Daily Memphian. Text below: 

Thursday night, Memphis took a bullet.
The city was taking a walk Downtown – like more and more people are doing again, because more and more people are working there, playing there, living there – because more and more people are visiting, and interested, and encouraged, and excited – because more and more people are feeling the energy in the current, in the air.
The city was taking a walk Downtown – just a walk from a party in Loflin Yard – a newly imagined space off South Main, forgotten and reclaimed and reborn – to home in The Goodwyn – a newly imagined space on Madison, forgotten and reclaimed and reborn.
The city was taking a walk Downtown – and somebody took a gun and took something vital away from loved ones and friends, from neighbors and colleagues, from everyone in this city and beyond.
The city fell on a Downtown sidewalk last night, mortally wounded.
Phil Trenary was the city, not simply because he was CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, or a thoughtful, capable, accomplished leader, or known and loved and respected by so many, but because his violent death and the senseless loss of a human being on our streets is the very image of this city he fought so hard to overcome, the horrific irony that is Memphis.
How can a place so warm and soulful in so many ways be so cold and soulless to take so many lives over so little.
We do not hear the gunshots or all the names of those who die, or recognize them if we do, but they mattered. We do not extol their virtues or mourn their loss citywide, but they were part of us whoever they were, beating hearts gone in a breath, in the final revolution of a bullet.
Phil Trenary was a good man, a champion of his adopted city, and we will in the coming days hear much of why that is true, and hopefully find the truth of how he died and at whose hand, and capture the killer.
Perhaps he’ll be the champion of something else. Perhaps the bright light we shine on this tragedy will shine bright enough for us to see the problem, to realize that this isn’t about criminals and jails and guns: this is about the hopelessness and ignorance that pulls the trigger.
The target of that kind of rage can be anyone.
We wish Godspeed to Phil Trenary, and the kind of peace that comes from understanding his city, to all of us in it.
​"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain," 
​
Hebrews 6:19
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Mosa Asian Bistro Scores High with Cooking Channel appearance!

9/19/2018

 
I love my clients and I truly enjoy doing my job every day, but sometimes projects come along that just "take the cake". This was one of those projects. A Cooking Channel researcher reached out to me early this year to send some information, photos and dish details to her for consideration for "a Cooking Channel show". Through a few conversations, a  bit of brainstorming and a lot of teamwork,  we found out that Mosa Asian Bistro had been selected as the dinner segment for Cooking Channel's show Cheap Eats with host Ali Khan. Ali and his team filmed an interview with Mr. Eddie {Pao} and segment for two days in March and we have had to stay tight lipped until now. I am excited to announce that the Cheap Eats episode "Rockin' Deals in Memphis" will air next Wednesday, October 3, 2018 on Cooking Channel at 9:00 PM CST. Watch live or set your DVR now! You won't want to miss this...

Details: Ali Khan hunts for the best meal deals in Memphis, Tenn., where he has a waffle that is loaded with house-smoked pork, sausage and caramelized onions (Bedrock Eats & Sweets), then he enjoys a turkey, chicken and duck sandwich (Lunchbox Eats) and a spicy sweet coconut Thai Panang curry (Mosa).

​Checkout these behind the scene photos from our shoot. 
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Signup for eBates today!

8/30/2017

 
​Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
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The Time Was Finally Right: A Love Story for the Ages

7/7/2017

 
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The Time Was Finally Right: A Love Story for the Ages 
​Caroline and Johnathan Horton
​Styleblueprint Memphis Weddings
July 2017
by Kristen Waddell
​

Turkey Trotters 13th annual Golf Tournament

7/1/2017

 
Turkey Trotters announced recently their 13th annual golf tournament will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Forest Hill Golf Course at 8:30am. Registration and flyer attached. 
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Southern Serendipity: A Vacationing Aussie Meets His Soul Mate in Memphis

3/1/2017

 
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Styleblueprint Memphis Wedding
Amelia Case and Andrew Reynalds
by Kristen Waddell



A Rekindled Flame Leads to Happily Ever After … and an AMAZING Wedding!

1/4/2017

 
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Styleblueprint Memphis Wedding
Huxley Brown and Taylor Maury
by Kristen Waddell

A Sentimental Wedding in a Most Treasured Setting

10/1/2016

 
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Styleblueprint Memphis Wedding
Bryson Shaeffer and Matthew Kennedy
by Kristen Waddell

A Wish Come True: A Romantic Garden Wedding

9/1/2016

 
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Styleblueprint Memphis Weddings
Sarah Schiavoni and John Catmur
by Kristen Waddell

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    Blogging my way through life as a marketing/pr consultant. I'll be focusing on food, fun and good news going on in the city of Blues and BBQ ~ Memphis, Tennessee.

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