fbpx vie magazine subscribe button

Blackberry Farm

Planting the Seeds for a New Way of Life

By Susan Benton | Photos by Beall + Thomas Photography

Blackberry Farm is often described as “Easy to get to. Hard to leave.” It is located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee and offers some of the world’s finest wines and cuisine and superb opportunities for fly-fishing, horseback riding, hiking, clay shooting, cycling, and more. This once-small farm home is now a sixty-eight-room property managed by Relais & Châteaux with a new spa and a series of annual culinary, enrichment, wellness, and adventure events. This spring, the farm announced it will add a nine-thousand-square-foot grand barn building for hosting even more events.

Blackberry Farm’s growth is quite astounding. The idea for the resort sprang from the imagination of proprietor Sam Beall (pronounced “Bell”), a young entrepreneur who began life in a small town in the foothills of the Smokies. Beall generated a self-sustaining business on the property that his parents began, with the singular mission of making it a destination for food, wine, and outdoor enthusiasts, all within the confines of the safe haven he had known from childhood. Blackberry Farm has now become an international brand.

Blackberry Farm outside chairs

Early one misty morning in 2000, in those same foothills, I stumbled upon Blackberry Farm while my husband was attending Steve Kaufman’s Flatpicking Camp in nearby Maryville, Tennessee. The camp was an enjoyable break from his usual work, allowing him time to brush up on his guitar skills while meeting like-minded artists. On this particular visit, I had our two young children to entertain, so I thought exploring the back roads leading to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park would be an exciting idea—I was right.

When we entered the community of Walland and turned onto West Millers Cove Road, a winding, paved path where each mile seemed more tranquil than the last, I began to follow a long white picket fence guiding me to a secret hideaway—or so I thought. I entered the Blackberry Farm property to get some information and, car still idling, was immediately greeted with warm hospitality and invited to come inside with the children. We were directed into the main check-in area, which also housed a small gift shop showcasing local wares, high-end clothing, and a number of products made on-site. We spent some time looking around. I felt as if I had discovered a rare gem in the wilderness, so new to a gal from the beaches of South Walton, Florida, who had never visited East Tennessee.

Departing the property with information in hand, I knew I would soon return to what was already a foodie’s dream, with Chef John Fleer at the helm. Within the year, I was back at the farm with my husband, walking among stalks of corn and rows of produce with master gardener John Coykendall and learning about his heirloom seed collection, some of which he gave to me to take home and which, carefully tended, are still sprouting in my garden today.

Large party dinner at Blackberry Farms

My husband and I had worked up an appetite—a good thing to do when visiting Blackberry Farm, as meals are inclusive—and we headed to the main house dining room. Our corner seat for brunch overlooked the pastoral setting, which can only be described as heaven on earth. Sam Beall approached us and asked if he could take a seat. We had heard that he was well liked in the hospitality industry and the reason became evident—he was a true Southern gentleman. He spoke to us as if we were visiting family members whom he had not seen in a while. Our conversation extended to his enjoyment of the beaches of South Walton, particularly Seaside, and we discussed how enamored we had become of the peaceful side of the Smokies.

With a twinkle in his eye and passion in his voice, Sam spoke of the renovations and plans he had for the farm, as well as for land expansion. Sam’s mother, Kreis Beall, was just twenty-three years old and had one child with another on the way in 1976 when she and her husband, Sandy (founder of Ruby Tuesday Inc.), were captivated by Blackberry Farm and purchased it for their family home. Wanting to entertain friends and family, they opened the scenic mountain property to the public as a nine-bedroom country inn.

This was the magical place where Sam and his wife, Mary Celeste, also planned for their own family to flourish.

Sam attended the University of Tennessee and the California Culinary Academy, an affiliate of Le Cordon Bleu, in San Francisco, and later worked under the tutelage of Thomas Keller at the French Laundry in Yountville, California; with Sue Conley and Peggy Smith at Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco; and at the Ritz-Carlton. Bitten by the wine bug and loving the sustainable food scene, Sam was motivated to bring those experiences to his guests at Blackberry Farm.

He made good on his plans for transformations once he returned home to Walland, and with Mary Celeste by his side added the Barn, a fine-dining restaurant where on-site agriculture drives the seasonal menu, and the Wellhouse, a spa and health center where South Walton’s own Jennifer Kuntz of Raw & Juicy has already taught a vegan and raw food class. Meanwhile, Seaside’s pearl girl, Wendy Mignot, has her precious jewelry on display in one of the farm’s several gift shops. Within the main house, the Dogwood dining room has become a more casual restaurant for families to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sam, along with Andy Chabot (whom I met on another visit in 2003), created an ambitious wine program with a massive cellar for its collection. In less than six years, Blackberry’s wine cellar grew from 17,000 bottles to 166,000. Plan to bring your reading glasses to peruse their extensive wine menu while savoring food pairings from Cassidee Dabney, a ten-year Blackberry veteran, who recently replaced Joseph Lenn (2013 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast) as the executive chef.

Three Chefs in the garden

It has been a pleasure to watch Blackberry blossom and its team evolve, many having moved on to other very successful restaurant and business ventures. Over time my husband and I have also taken part in a few of the farm’s creative food events, one of the first being Chef Fleer’s on-site introduction of Allan Benton—although we had already met him by way of his business, Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams in Madisonville, Tennessee (we saw his road signage and had to stop, since we share the same last name). A humble man whose eyes welled up while speaking of the ham-and-bacon business that his grandparents had started (he took over in 1973), he was in disbelief that a group of us were there to learn more about him and taste his wonderful products. (During this event, we also had the opportunity to drink Australian wines with winemaker Dan Philips.) This was, of course, before Benton graced the pages and covers of every food magazine in the country and his products landed on menus from New York to Los Angeles.

It has been an honor to take part in events held in Kreis Beall’s former home and gourmet kitchen and be but a minute part of Sam’s vision come to life. I know that many guests, chefs, winemakers, artisans, musicians, and friends of the Beall family feel the same.

Sadly, on the morning of February 26, 2016, crushing and tragic news broke on social media. Sam Beall died in a skiing accident in Colorado at the age of thirty-nine, leaving behind his wife and five children.

Dish from Blackberry Farms

Two weeks after the untimely passing of her husband, Mary Celeste assumed the role of president and proprietor of the farm. The Beall family, as well as Blackberry Farm executives, emphasized the significant role Mary Celeste has already played in the destination’s growth and success. “Mary Celeste has directed retail operations on property, led key design projects, hosted wellness and arts events, and was an integral leader in the development of the Wellhouse, all while raising a beautiful family,” said Kreis and Sandy. “She’s just always been a contributor and a true partner to Sam, which makes her the obvious choice as Blackberry Farm’s next proprietor.”

“Sam and I—and of course the entire Beall family—share such a deep love for this special place, and for the future that our children and grandchildren will create here,” said Mary Celeste about the announcement. “This new role is the most authentic way I can imagine to honor Sam’s legacy, fulfill our shared vision, and demonstrate our commitment to our guests, team, partners, and the local community.”

Blackberry Farm is celebrating forty years under the Beall family’s care this year, and it has been shaped into one of the most awarded and well-regarded destinations in North America. The property and the talented team who run it have received the hospitality industry’s highest honors: consecutive James Beard Awards for Best Chef: Southeast, Outstanding Wine Program, and Outstanding Service.

Blackberry Farms proprietor Sam Beall
Sam Beall

Our most recent visit to the farm was in March, and my husband and I spent the day muddying our boots hiking the familiar farm trails, playing with the Lagotto Romagnolo puppies (bred to sniff out truffles), relaxing in the upstairs Wellhouse overlooking the scenic landscape, and sipping cocktails in the main bar while nibbling on our favorite pimento cheese before dining at the Barn. We felt Sam’s presence, along with the enthusiasm that the Blackberry Farm team has for the future. Sam’s physical being might be gone, but his spirit fills the environment. There is no doubt that Blackberry Farm will continue to be a resounding success.

— V —


For more information on Blackberry Farm or to make reservations, call (800) 557-8864 or visit www.BlackberryFarm.com. Donations can be made to the Blackberry Farm Foundation in Sam’s memory by visiting www.BlackberryFarm.com/foundation/give.

Susan Benton is a freelance writer and the owner of 30AEATS.com, where she shares her passion for food and travel and her commitment to promoting local farmers, fishermen, chefs, artisans, and restaurants in the South. Look for her cookbook release in 2016.



Read Responsibly

December 2023, Holiday Issue, Christmas, VIE Magazine, Lisa Burwell, Cover, Gift Guide, Holidays
Marisol Gullo, Not Too Shabby, Home, Decor, Interior Design, Santa Rosa Beach, Churchill Oaks
VIE Magazine September 2023 Jay Mercado
VIE Magazine - The Art & Design Issue November 2021
VIE Magazine January 2021 Special Commemorative Edition
VIE Magazine September 2020 Wanderlust Issue, Fancy Camps, The Idea Boutique
VIE Magazine August 2020 Art & Culture Issue, Nathan Alan Yoakum Art
VIE Magazine - Architecture & Design Issue - July 2020
VIE Magazine - Decor and Home Issue - June 2020
VIE Magazine May 2020 Entertainment Issue, Leslie Odom Jr
VIE Magazine - April 2020 Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine March 2020 The Fashion Edit, VONDOM, Alys Beach Fl, Digital Graffiti, Tres Chic, isidro dunbar Modern Interiors, Digital Graffiti Festival
VIE Magazine February 2020 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Travel Issue - January 2020 - Tanzania Safari Cover
VIE Magazine - Women's Issue - December 2019 - Tina Brown Cover
VIE NOV19 Goodness Issue
VIE Magazine, September 2019 Art & Culture Issue, Paul Hanninen
VIE Magazine - August 2019 - The Architecture and Design Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2019 - The Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - June 2019 - Fashion Edit
VIE Magazine - May 2019 - Culinary Issue
VIE Magazine - April 2019 - The Health & Wellness Issue
VIE Magazine - Special Entertainment Edition - March 2019
VIE Magazine February 2019 Luxury Homes & Technology Issue with Robbie Antonio of Revolution Precrafted
VIE Magazine - January 2019 - Southern Sophisticate Issue Cover
VIE Magazine - Special Anniversary Travel Edition - December 2018
VIE Magazine - The Goodness Issue - November 2018
VIE Magazine - The Art & Culture Issue - October 2018
VIE Magazine - Home & Garden Issue - September 2018
VIE Magazine - August 2018 Animal Issue
VIE Magazine - July 2018 Architecture & Design Issue - Subscribe to the magazine!
VIE Magazine - June 2018 Travel & Tech Issue
VIE Magazine - May 2018 Couture Issue
VIE Magazine - The Culinary Issue - April 2018 Cover - Chef James Briscione and Brooke Parkhurst
VIE Magazine - The Entertainers Issue - March 2018
VIE Magazine - February 2018 Destination Travel Issue
VIE Magazine - January 2018 Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine, The Sophisticate Issue, December 2017
VIE Magazine - November 2017 Art & Culture Issue
VIE Magazine - October 2017 Home & Garden Issue
VIE Magazine | September 2017 | The Stories and Storytellers Issue
VIE Magazine - The Adventure Issue - August 2017
VIE Magazine - July 2017 - Art & Artist Issue
VIE Magazine - The Voyager Issue - June 2017
VIE magazine 2017 March-April Cover South Walton Fashion Week
VIE Magazine - January/February 2017 - The Health & Beauty Issue
VIE Magazine - Nov/Dec 2016 The Sophisticate Issue
christian siriano vie magazine september october 2016 vie magazine
the modern minimalist issue
Summertime!
the culinary and couture issue march april 2016 vie magazine
the voyager issue alys beach vie magazine january february 2016
cultural issue vie magazine november december 2015
home and garden issue vie magazine september october 2015
the art and style issue vie magazine july august 2015
the wedding issue 2015 May June vie magazine
the food and fashion issue vie magazine march april 2015
the travel issue vie magazine january february 2015
the music issue vie magazine 2014 november december
The Animal Issue vie magazine september october 2014
the home and garden issue vie magazine july august 2014
the wedding issue vie magazine may june 2014
emeril lagasse food and fashion vie magazine
the men's issue january february 2014
the music issue november december 2013 vie magazine
the home and garden issue 2013 october september
the wedding issue vie magazine july august 2013
the artist issue may june 2013 vie magazine
the food and fashion issue march april 2013
the men's issue january february 2013 vie magazine
The Holiday Issue
the love issue july august 2012
the all american summer may june 2012
the entertainment issue march april 2012
the fashion issue vie magazine winter 2011
the home and garden issue vie magazine fall 2011
the anniversary edition vie magazine summer 2011
the wedding issue vie magazine spring 2011
vie magazine the holiday issue 2010 Dec
vintage swimsuits vie magazine 2010 Fall
judith march designer vie magazine summer 2010
wedding giveaway vie magazine spring 2010
holiday gift guide vie magazine winter 2009
emarketing explosion vie magazine fall 2009
tribute to mother's day vie magazine summer 2009
james and robert redford vie magazine spring 2009
zz top vie magazine fall winter 2008
project dreams vie magazine new york fashion week
Sign-up for VIEmail

Sign up for VIEmail


X

A LIFESTYLE