SEASONAL NEWS & NOTES ~ SPRING 2016
T H E H O P E O F SP RING I have always loved Spring—especially its first hopeful signs, which for us, are Lenten roses. They have become my favorite flower, thanks to hundreds dotting our farm, transplanted from the home of Sam’s grandparents. This year, the Lenten rose took on a whole new meaning for me as we celebrated the life of my amazing husband, Sam. I was starting to scheme a surprise fortieth birthday party for my best friend and the love of my life, Sam, when I heard the most tragic thing I ever imagined I could hear. He was gone. Family and friends gathered around me to help me plan the ultimate celebration of Sam…just not the one I was anticipating for August 21st. Sam was a man unlike any other. I won’t recount all the things that we loved about him, because he was far too humble for that. He always gave any credit he received to others, saying, ‘Blackberry Farm is not about one single person, it’s about a diverse and talented team.’ More than his colleagues, they were his friends. Although his passing touched them all to the core, they sprang into action in true Blackberry style. Together, they helped create the most thoughtful, beautiful and natural celebration of Sam’s life. They made every detail perfect, right down to his favorite beech trees and Lenten roses decorating the church. This is the team who made Sam proud by bringing his vision of true hospitality to life. And this is the team I’m honored to have standing by my side. Spring is indeed a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. It has always been a special season for me, and this Spring — despite how bittersweet — is still filled with promise and optimism. That’s one of the many wonderful things Sam and I had in common: an ability to dream and hope regardless of the circumstances. As my family starts this new chapter, I am comforted by that hope; I am supported by our wonderful guests and team; and I am honored to continue realizing the vision Sam and I shared for this special place.
Mary Celeste Beall, Proprietor
MAKE
A
GREAT
D AY
Sam Beall’s legacy is more than this special place in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. More even than the loving family he adored. His legacy is a way of life—a bold, unbridled pursuit of life to the fullest. As countless people have said and shared over the last few weeks, Sam pushed them. He challenged them. He inspired us all. Sam believed we all deserve meaningful, fulfilling lives, full of memorable moments and exhilarating adventure, and the experiences at the heart of Blackberry are a testament to that belief. His tenacious attitude fueled his own life, too, and served as the foundation of the phrase he so often said to family, friends and guests: ‘Make a Great Day!’ More than just a favorite phrase or saying, these few simple words embody Sam’s personal philosophy. Don’t wait for life, go after it. Make it matter. Make it great. Sam did exactly that, and in a few important ways, he inspired everyone around him to do the same.
CH E RI SH
BE YOUR BE S T, MO S T
FA MILY A ND FRIE NDS
AU TH E NTI C SEL F
BE
HO SPIT AB L E I N EV ERY WAY
S EEK O U T EP I C
AD VENT URES N EVER SETTL E O N
QUAL I TY
Spring Fever
Hike a Hundred The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is celebrating the National Park Service’s Centennial with an exciting challenge: hike 100 miles in the park in 2016. Needless to say, our Adventure Team has jumped at the opportunity to take on this challenge. Let us take you on a half or full day hike following one of our favorite scenic routes, or an overnight backpacking excursion in the park to really rack up some miles!
Always thrilled to feel the Spring sunshine again, we are spending as much time outside as we can these days: gardening, hiking, birdwatching, relaxing. This breezy season paints the farm with pale green and pastel blossoms as we all take a deep breath and welcome new adventures.
S P R I N G S PA PRODUCTS
INTRODUCING
FarmStead Field School Spring is the perfect time to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and experience our new FarmStead Field School. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover how we manage a plethora of organic, healthy crops and take home practical knowledge that will translate to your own garden—and to your plate. Jeff Ross, our FarmStead Field School Educator, is passionate about the connection between fresh produce and the kitchen, as he’s often heard saying, “Good gardeners cook, and good cooks garden.” Call our Reservations Team to book a FarmStead Field School experience during your next stay and discover the beauty of the garden at peak season.
JEFF ROSS, FARMSTEAD FIELD SCHOOL EDUCATOR
Our farm-fresh spa products are always drawn from the world around us, and our newest scent for Spring is no different. Inspired by the delicate Smoky Mountain wildflowers that blanket the hills, our latest scent, Appalachian Hyssop, will be available for purchase this May on blackberryfarmshop.com. Wild hyssop has been used for centuries as an herbal restorative; we love its fresh, botanical scent in our line of luxurious body products.
Even More to Pour EACH FAMILY OF BEER IN OUR BREWERY’S EVER-GROWING ROSTER IS BALANCED, COMPLEX AND HAPPIEST SHARING THE TABLE WITH YOUR FAVORITE CUISINE.
COME to the
TA B L E
With our beers now available in 38 states and the District of Columbia, the brewery continues to expand, slating 20 new releases for 2016, including a Spring Saison in the Saison series and the introduction of our new beer families, the Abbey series, Native series and Barrel series. In 2015, the Blackberry Farm Brewery was honored with a Good Food Award for its Classic Saison, as well as a Silver Medal for its Summer Saison at the Great American Beer Festival. For more information visit www.blackberryfarm.com/brewery.
SAVE YOUR SEAT SOUL AND SPIRIT
AUG. 4–7
Acclaimed will pour from his vast collection, which includes Au Sommet Wine, Coup de Foudre Wine and PharaohMoans Wine. John will be joined by James Beard Award-winning Southern of the wildly popular restaurant Underbelly. CRAFT PIONEERS
SEPT. 8–11
Dogfish Head was one of the pioneers of the U.S. craft beer revolution. and has inspired thousands of brewers, including our and . Part crash-course in brewing, part demonstration and part tasting, this event will be balanced in true Blackberry style. TASTEMAKERS
SEPT. 25–28
and of the Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions are known for their thoughtful, dim sum-inspired cuisine. They will be joined by , a fabled vintner who uses estategrown fruit from the Spanish hillsides.
IN THE FIELD
LEGEND O N T H E TA B L E
Join us and our partner Le Creuset for three unforgettable days of fine food and wine with renowned Chef Alice Waters and Vintners Lee and Cristina Hudson.
Cultivating Generations M AY 1 5–1 8 , 2 0 1 6
Renowned Chef Alice Waters of Berkeley’s legendary Chez Panisse is coming to East Tennessee this May.
CHEF WATERS, PIONEER OF THE NOW-UNIVERSAL ORGANIC FOOD MOVEMENT,
has been a true champion of local ingredients for more than 40 years—and she’s inspired us for decades. In fact, she recently received the National Humanities Medal from President Obama “for celebrating the bond between the ethical and the edible.” As a chef, restaurateur, author and activist, Chef Water’s pledge to educate younger generations is evident through the Edible Schoolyard Project, which she created in 1995 through the Chez Panisse Foundation. The Edible Schoolyard Project’s mission “is to build and share a national edible education curriculum for pre-kindergarten through high school.” The Blackberry Farm Foundation is proud to support the Edible Schoolyard Project and will make a $100,000 donation to the organization with proceeds from the event.
Spring Harmony Seared Pekin Duck with SautĂŠed Spring Vegetables, Sweet Tea Gastrique and Foie Gras
This Spring recipe tells a story of balance and harmony: the richness of duck and foie gras, brightened by tea, offset with fresh garden vegetables. The flavors both echo and contrast each other, layers of sweet depth punctuated by crisp greens. We have a particular fondness for duck here at Blackberry Farm, and pairing sweet tea gastrique with it is a fun nod to our Southern heritage.
FIND THE RECIPE AT BLACKBERRYFARM.COM/FRIENDS.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE The Blackberry Farm Foundation is proud to be a committed member of our community and grateful for the privilege of partnering with several admirable organizations over the years to provide important financial support and awareness for their causes. Our charitable efforts are devoted to local foodways and children’s charities in East Tennessee, and over the course of 2015, the Blackberry Farm Foundation gave over $275,000 to these charities.
The Beall family extends a very special thank you to all who gave so generously to The Blackberry Farm Foundation in honor of Sam. Your donations will help further his vision for children and foodways.
A MasterCraft boating experience
CALLING ALL
CAMPERS KIDS OF ALL AGES WILL LOVE OUR TOTALLY TRANSFORMED CAMP BLACKBERRY EXPERIENCE. HOUSED IN AN ALL-NEW, FULLY CUSTOMIZED BUILDING ADJACENT TO OUR NEW FAMILY POOL, OUR CAMP FACILITIES HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE CAMPER-FOCUSED.
There’s a canoe hanging over the expansive indoor play center. There’s a kitchen for classes and snacks. There’s even an outdoor play area with a huge movie screen. And facilities aren’t the only thing that’s been updated: our ‘appreciation through exploration’ programming introduces children 4 and older to activities like cooking, farming, art and gardening. We also have a new Blackberry Discovery Program for tweens and teens older than 10, which offers a more in-depth learning experience on specific farm and outdoor topics. Camp Blackberry is complimentary during our annual Family Time sessions, which run from Memorial Day through Labor Day, as well as during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Our Blackberry Discovery Program and private camp sessions are available as a supplement anytime—just ask.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CAMP BLACKBERRY’S NEW OFFERINGS OR BOOK YOUR FAMILY STAY? CALL OUR RESERVATIONS TEAM AT 800.557.8864.
lake life
Growing up, Mary Celeste passed many happy hours boating, and spending time on the water is a tradition she has carried on with her family. Now, it’s a tradition the Bealls want to share with you. You and your family can hit the water and make waves with our new MasterCraft boating experience this Summer. Join our captain for a fun day of wakesurfing or just taking in the beautiful mountain scenery during a relaxing tour of the lake—your choice! If seeing how these beautiful boats are made right here in East Tennessee is more your style, tours of the MasterCraft facility are also available. Our custom X46 boat is crafted specially for Blackberry Farm and was built for unparalleled comfort with ample space for the whole family. This exciting lake experience is one you’ll definitely want to add to your bucket list.
moving F O R W A R D LO O KI N G A H E A D TO T H E PRO -AM The 2016 Pro-Am Classic is shaping up to be one epic cycling experience. Led by Blackberry Cycling Coach Robbie Ventura, the event will feature three days of riding with pros including Christian Vande Velde, George Hincapie, Ted King, Matthew Busche and Craig Lewis—and a $30,000 purse for winning charities awarded by the Blackberry Farm Foundation. With four stages of competition, plus unparalleled dinners and wine pairings crafted by Master Sommelier Bobby Stuckey and Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food & Wine and Chef Matthew Accarrino of SPQR, this unforgettable event will highlight the best of cycling and the best of Blackberry.
RI DI N G W I T H RO B B I E V E N T URA We are excited to announce that Robbie Ventura, former professional cyclist and President of Vision Quest Coaching, will lead the Blackberry Farm cycling event program. A longtime friend to the Beall family and Blackberry Farm, Robbie will bring decades of experience in cycling and endurance training. Robbie has been an integral part of the program, partnering with Sam and the team to create events like Tour de Smokies, the Blackberry Farm Pro-Am Classic and Blackberry Abroad. Robbie’s energy and vision will now make an even greater impact on cycling events and programming for the farm.
A MON T H - LONG GRA ND OP ENING We’re counting down to August when we open our beautiful new event center with a month of remarkable music! The underground tunnel linking the wine cellar to the event center is now complete, and we’re putting the finishing touches on the spacious amphitheater. Make plans now to join us late this Summer for a series of incredible grand opening concerts—headlined by country star Jennifer Nettles—in an outdoor concert venue like no other. Call our Reservations Team to book your spot during our month-long music celebration.
N o. 1 HOTEL FOR FOOD LOVERS
SPEND SUMMER TOGETHER Warm days are on the horizon! Join us on the farm this Summer for your chance to slow down and enjoy time with your family while making treasured memories. Reserve a Family Time stay through September 6th and take advantage of our special rates on Cottage Suites and Houses—perfect for families! Don’t forget, Camp Blackberry is included in our annual Family Time rates. PA C K Y O U R B A G S F O R A G E TAWAY
800.557.8451