There’s just something about fall in Tennessee that makes me want to gather my people. Maybe it’s that first cool morning, football on the television, or the simple joy of lighting a candle and putting something delicious on the table.
Fall makes me want to slow down, open the door, and say, “Come on over.” And honestly, that’s what hospitality should feel like. It doesn’t require a perfectly set table or three days of preparation. Sometimes all you need is a bottle of wine, something good to nibble on, and people you love around the table.
One of the best parts of being a business owner is getting to know other women who are building something meaningful in our community. That's what led me to Dawn Fallert of Crown Winery. We both believe hospitality starts with making people feel welcome and creating spaces where guests feel valued, connected, and part of a community.
As gathering season arrives, Dawn and I found ourselves talking about hospitality, entrepreneurship, and the importance of women supporting women.
"When people walk through our doors at Crown Winery, we want them to feel welcome, that they're seen and that we're genuinely happy they're here," Dawn says. "We never know what kind of day someone is having, so we hope they leave with kindness, appreciation, and community. We want Crown Winery to be their happy place."
I couldn't agree more. People may come for the wine or the food, but they remember how they felt when they were there. That's what hospitality is all about.
We agree that gathering people together doesn't require perfection. Whether hosting friends at home or welcoming guests into our businesses, the goal is creating an atmosphere where people feel comfortable enough to connect.
For Dawn, some of the most rewarding moments have come from seeing relationships form naturally.
"Watching complete strangers become friends during a tasting has reminded me that we're not all that different," she says. "It's taught me the value of a smile, a listening ear, and the simple joy that comes from bringing people together. That's good for the soul."
The same philosophy carries into the way we both approach entertaining. Dawn says cheese is always a staple when she's hosting, though a loaded hummus topped with cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, olive oil, and feta is another favorite.
I take a simple approach as well, always adding something unexpected. Manchego cheese is one of my favorites because it cuts beautifully into little wedges and always looks elegant on the board.
Next, I add rich, savory meats like prosciutto or salami and, because we're in the South, a little pimento cheese. One of my favorite additions is smoked peach habanero jam. It's sweet, smoky, has just enough heat, and pairs beautifully with Manchego. I finish with apples, pears, figs, or grapes, pecans, good crackers, and a little dark chocolate tucked into an empty corner.
My charcuterie boards are never about perfection. They're about making people feel comfortable enough to linger.
Of course, no fall gathering is complete without the wine.
Dawn recommends Crown Winery's Leiper's Fork Cayuga White paired with a double-cream Brie topped with fig jam. For red wine lovers, she suggests the Leiper's Fork Red alongside smoked salmon or savory meats like salami. And with Thanksgiving around the corner, she says Crown's Cranberry Rosé is a favorite for welcoming guests and serving throughout the meal.
My advice? Don't stress over perfect pairings. Taste, experiment, and discover what you love.
There are no grades at the end of girls' night.
Food and wine may bring people to the table, but the experience goes far beyond what's being served.
Owning Fork of the South has taught me that what we sell and what we create aren't always the same thing. We may serve tea, wine, food, or gather around a mahjong table, but what we're really creating is connection.
That idea extends beyond hospitality and into entrepreneurship.
One of the most meaningful parts of our conversation centered on the relationships we've built with other women business owners and the support we've received along the way.
"I've been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many amazing women," Dawn says. "Their generosity, resilience, and willingness to support one another continue to inspire me. Collaborating with other women business owners has strengthened our business, made the journey more meaningful and, honestly, a lot more fun."
The best gatherings aren't remembered because every detail was perfect. They're remembered because the people around the table mattered.
So don't save the good cheese, the pretty board, or the bottle you've been waiting to open.
Your people coming over is the occasion.
Light the candle. Open the wine.
Then pull up another chair.
There's always room at the table.
ForkOfTheSouth.com
"Fall makes me want to slow down, open the door, and say, “Come on over.” And honestly, that’s what hospitality should feel like." Stef Gorman