Blackberry Farm Fall Newsletter 2014

seasonal news & notes ~ FALL 2014

COMING INTO FRUITION With the arrival of Fall on the farm, we already find ourselves looking back on what has been an incredible year so far. For starters, this past Spring and Summer we welcomed more guests than ever before—the same number of guests we typically see in our peak month, October! Many of you came to explore our new Wellhouse and experience all of our spa and activity offerings. You enjoyed soothing massages—but you also worked up a sweat in the yoga studio or on the trail.

And that’s something we’re learning about our guests lately. Blackberry Farm will forever be a place of rest and relaxation, but we recognize that guests are looking for a vacation that combines great food, wine and relaxation with a balance of exhilarating adventure and activity. If you haven’t already, make plans to immerse yourself in all the challenging and inspiring experiences of the farm, from culinary demonstrations to the Wellhouse to the equestrian program. Fall is the perfect time to discover the activities and events our guests love—like our upcoming Balanced Life and Body event, this October 26–29, where my wife and I will personally be your hosts.

It seems like there’s always something big happening at Blackberry. We just wrapped up an intimate show with the ACM Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan, and we still have Grammy Award-winning talents like Kacey Musgraves and Little Big Town and CMA winner Sara Evans ready to take the stage before year’s end! To learn more, check out our new experience-changing mobile app—which makes it super easy to plan a Blackberry stay, find a recipe, shop your favorites and view upcoming events. Speaking of calendars, don’t forget to look for the start of our holiday season (it’s sooner than you think!) and keep your ears open for news about our “secret” Winter rates.

What could possibly top all this excitement? Well, our very first whiskey is now in the bottle, and will be available in our restaurants this Fall. Fans of our beer will also be thrilled to know that we’ve started construction on our new brewery and distillery, and hopefully we can finally meet the growing demand for our handcrafted brew. As for news, I never know where to stop, but ending with a toast seems as nice a place as any. Enjoy your Fall—I look forward to sharing it with you during your next visit!

Sam Beall, Proprietor

The Farm

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Crumbling rich garden soil through your fingers. Turning the pages of a cookbook. Spreading ruby-colored jam on toast. Whether you’re with us on property or enjoying the Blackberry life at home, it’s our goal to make the joys of the farm tangible no matter where you are. Visit us in Walland anytime—from anywhere in the world—on your favorite mobile device for a new taste of Blackberry.

FRESH FROM THE FARM Once again, our artisans have outdone themselves with this year’s harvest and have been “putting up” all kinds of farm-fresh delectables—from our favorite Tomato Jam to the new Kale Pesto. You don’t want to miss the release of this year’s FarmStead Catalog, so make sure to sign up for our emails and keep an eye out for the release of the mobile app—because we will share the newest FarmStead Catalog products on the app first!

INTRODUCING OUR EXPERIENCE-CHANGING APP We are so excited to share our revolutionary new Blackberry Farm mobile app with you, releasing this Fall. With just one tap, you can explore places, activities and events to plan your stay, cook Blackberry Farm classics for the table and easily purchase your farm favorites with our most dynamic shopping experience ever.

PLAN YOUR STAY

Our user-friendly “to-do” list will help you select dates, accommodations and activities. When you’re done, simply submit your “to-do” list, and our team will handle reservations.

SHOP

We’ve made ordering your Blackberry favorites easier than ever. Order once and save your information for quick future checkouts, or use the Wish List to send someone your most-wanted Blackberry Farm products.

COOK

Each season, we will release coveted new recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, including beverage pairings.

EXCLUSIVES

You’ll find rare opportunities and events—including the FarmStead Catalog and the 2015 Blackberry Year—on the app first. Check back often so you don’t miss these app exclusives.

BLACKBERRY and BEYOND

W

hat if we married the magic of Blackberry with the beauty of the world abroad? In 2014, we gathered a few friends and made two incredible trips across the Atlantic. The inaugural trip was a Spring equestrian experience in England, where guests galloped over hills, swapped stories with veteran huntsmen, raised a few glasses in the pub and dined in a centuries-old chateaux. On the next expedition, Sam Beall and a crew of cyclists and wine lovers traveled to Northern Italy for an exhilarating week of cycling, vineyard exploring, dining and sight-seeing. Our next stop is the wild waters of Belize for a thrilling fishing trip with our fly fishing team. Stay tuned for more updates from our next adventure as Blackberry Abroad continues to develop in 2015. In the meantime, be sure to explore pictures from our first two trips by visiting our galleries at blackberryfarm.com.

Balanced Life & Body:

A Place to

Breathe During the Fall, rare amber skies and dusky sunsets paint the valley. The crisp beauty beckons us to go outside and breathe deeply, to reconnect with nature and renew. It’s the perfect season to discover our new Deep Healing Woods experiences, where instructors lead guests far into the forest for a workout with powerful health benefits. Groundbreaking research shows that trees and plants emit airborne compounds called phytoncides.

These compounds have antifungal and anti-bacterial properties, and when inhaled, they stimulate white blood cells to produce disease-fighting cells. Designed to maximize these benefits, our new Wellhouse Platform—tucked deep in the restorative forest—serves as a foundation for Deep Healing Woods Yoga, Mind Focus, Earth-Fit Forest Runs and Endurance Hikes. Make a Deep Healing Woods reservation and get ready to experience one of the most transformative activities on property.

O C TO B E R 2 6 – 2 9 Refresh your lifestyle this Fall with a unique retreat designed to help you find balance and restore your body.

During this transformative experience, join Barbara Close, CEO of Naturopathica, and yoga instructor Philip Clift, along with Blackberry Farm Proprietors Sam and Mary Celeste Beall, as they teach guests how to establish healthy habits that balance exercise, nutrition and indulgence for a sustainable, fulfilling life. To learn more about our past wellness events, visit blackberryfarm.com/events.

LEADING WELLNESS Dedicated to the lifelong discipline of finding balance, Amanda Anderson, Blackberry Farm’s Director of Wellness, is leading the farm’s charge to reshape the way our guests and team think about wellness. The philosophy of balance is not about counting calories or steps, but rather being mindful of life’s many elements.

With education in nutrition, experience at world-class spas and certifications in yoga and other physical therapies, Amanda brings deep experience and a global perspective on wellness, balanced by a sincere joy for life. She joined Blackberry in the Fall of 2013, and has already formed a half marathon team, cycled with Tour de Smokies and encouraged folks to take a little more time for personal wellness.

On Tap We hear you…Blackberry Farm beer is hard to find. Truth be told, we have been patiently focused on producing enough in our small farm brewery to meet the ever-growing demand from Blackberry guests. But after a few years of brewing, we are able to expand, and we are taking steps to get more beer in more places. While it’s a bit too soon to share specifics, we can say that you should be on the lookout for our beer in Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and a few other Southern spots to join our current markets of Tennessee and Georgia. Stay tuned—we’ll have even more details to share about our new brewery and distillery soon!

IT WOULD BE OUR HONOR Service and sacrifice are held in high esteem at Blackberry Farm.

This September, we were proud to help thank the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients who have gone above and beyond to fight for our freedom. During the Medal of Honor convention, we welcomed these distinguished servicemen and women and their families to Tennessee with what we enjoy most—an outstanding meal. Our own Chef Josh Feathers and celebrity Chef John Besh (both former servicemen) prepared an exclusive Reunion Dinner featuring a taste of authentic Tennessee cuisine for fellow veterans. We were grateful to honor our nation’s greatest heroes with a night to remember.

Honoring Blackberry’s Own Veterans: Elbert BAssett, NAvy Ron Downer, Army Josh FeAthers, NAvy Lee GArrAnd, MArines John HAwkinson, Army Loren PArris, Air Force Keith Reeves, Army VeronicA Reeves, Army MeAgAn Rios, Army Jeff Ross, Army

The Garden is Growing The sun and rain aren’t the only ones responsible for our garden’s growth this season. Joining the team this year, alongside Master Gardener John Coykendall and Garden Manager Jeff Ross, new gardeners Brent Bennett, Mike Washburn, Emily Brewer and Christen Waddell have been maintaining the rows, sharing stories with guests and tending to our treasured heirloom varieties.

With backgrounds in everything from culinary school to sustainable agriculture to native medicines, our thoughtful new gardeners bring valuable experience.

Where you stay shapes your Blackberry experience.

That’s why we’ve designed a range of luxurious accommodations as unique as our guests.

So Accommodating So Accommodating While singles and couples may enjoy estate rooms in the Main House and Guest Houses, or the updated Holly Glade and Singing Brook Cottages, families and friends traveling together crave an immersive Blackberry experience of their own. With this in mind, we unveil our five-bedroom Garden House to complement our other three-bedroom and four-bedroom offerings. Peek inside to see more...

Boulevard Surrounded by the deep greens and grays of the Smoky Mountains, this elegant, beautifully-appointed house features a carefully-curated blend of stylish antiques, contemporary art and modern furnishings. With three spacious bedrooms, a full chef ’s kitchen, a screened-in porch and golf cart to use during your stay, this luxurious home in a peaceful mountain setting is perfect for friends and families.

The FarmHouse This classic farmhouse serves as one of the anchors of the FarmStead, recalling the engaging architecture of America’s early rural homes.

Crafted of antique materials with exceptional modern comforts, the house’s three comfortable suites, welcoming living room, fully equipped kitchen and location adjacent to The Barn restaurant make it ideal for families and small groups.

Elkmont Inspired by the Smoky Mountains, Elkmont is a true mountain home with beautiful oak hardwood floors, painted wood walls, stone fireplaces, a sweeping screened porch, full kitchen, luxurious furnishings and expansive views. This peaceful mountain retreat boasts three bedrooms and a bunk room, making it ideal for friends, colleagues, or families traveling together.

The Garden House Featuring a main house and two luxuriously appointed guest cottages, The Root Cellar and The Wood Shed, the Garden House collection is designed to provide groups the ultimate way to experience the beauty of Blackberry together. The main home, the Garden House, features a full kitchen, perfect for private chef experiences. This collection’s garden setting truly offers a special perspective on the farm.

Now accepting reservations for these remarkable, new accommodations.

To make a reservation or learn more about our various accommodations, visit us at blackberryfarm.com or call 800.557.8451

TRUE FR I ENDS For as long as our doors have been open, we’ve been privileged to count our loyal guests and fans among our close friends. People like you.

We started the Friends of the Farm program several years ago as our way of saying thanks to the people who make this place so special. If you

Growing Hope After its launch in 2012, the Blackberry Farm Foundation is now rounding out its second year of giving with increased support. Last year, the foundation raised thousands of dollars for local charities; this year, we are already very close to making our 2014 goal—with several months and events yet to go! Last November, the foundation gave grants to three local children and family focused charities—Harmony Family Center, Café Le Reve and the New Hope Children’s Advocacy Center. We are expanding our giving to include even more charities in the Fall. Visit blackberryfarm.com/foundation to see where the Foundation will be making an impact in 2014.

haven’t made our friendship official yet, now’s the year! Sign up at blackberryfarm.com/friends to become a Friend of the Farm, and you’ll enjoy even more friend perks in 2015: first releases, exclusive access to our online-only sale and early bird access to events.

The Friends Only Sale Come time for our exclusive sale this Fall—where we offer reservations at once-a-year rates—you’ll be awfully glad to be a Friend of the Farm.

This exciting event is open only to our Friends, so sign up in time to take advantage of the exclusive sale everyone loves.

Remembering Willard A legacy to West Miller’s Cove residents, Willard Abbott was a cornerstone of our community for more than 40 years and one of Blackberry Farm’s dearest friends. Many of our guests remember enjoying Willard’s famous carriage rides and the farm history he loved to tell. Willard passed away this summer, and in his honor, we’ve planted a young oak tree on the farm to celebrate the roots and strength he shared with all of us.

Thanks, Willard.

Willard Abbott

1925–2014

a season of

CRISP BREEZES, COOL NIGHTS & STIRRING COUNTRY MUSIC

December 11–14

SARA E VA N S CO NCERT November 13

WINE GEEK WE EKEN D

Sara Evans, a CMA and ACM award-winning artist, will be joining us at the farm to share a much anticipated performance with guests. Over the years, Sara’s fans have enjoyed her sometimes buoyant, sometimes gutsy explorations of life and love. Come enjoy her signature sound for yourself in this special concert.

Whether you consider yourself a wine geek or simply want to learn from one, you’re bound to enjoy our annual wine-centric seminar. James Beard Award-winning Sommelier Andy Chabot and renowned Wine Critic Antonio Galloni will lead cellar tours, tastings, and wine education sessions.

BER ETTA L IFE STYLE

November 16 –19

Experience the Italian country lifestyle in the mountains of Tennessee. Guests will have the opportunity to shoot some of Beretta’s finest premium shotguns at Blackberry’s private range.

The event is rounded out by a series of passionate discussions, demonstrations and dinners.

KACEY MUSGR AVE S CO NCE RT

December 5

After winning a CMA in 2013, country artist Kacey Musgraves makes a welcome appearance at Blackberry Farm. The young singer, songwriter and musician has been praised for her fresh voice and smart compositions; we love her powerful performances.

L I T T L E B I G TOWN CONCERT

December 14

Country artists Little Big Town return for our annual Holiday Concert. Although the farm will already be aglow with Christmas lights, this four-time CMA award-winning group is sure to light up the stage with plenty of star power.

NI C K EL C REEK CONCERT

January 3

Adored by fans across the country, Nickel Creek will delight guests this Winter with a rare, intimate concert at Blackberry Farm. The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band released a new album in 2014—their first in years! Tickets to this special evening will disappear quickly, so call to reserve your spot.

1471 WEST MILLERS COVE ROAD WALLAND, TENNESSEE 37886 WWW.BLACKBERRYFARM.COM

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FLY FISHING RESORT

HOTEL FOR FOOD LOVERS

#1 RESORT IN CONTINENTAL U.S. & CANADA

#1 FOR SERVICE IN NORTH AMERICA

2013 JAMES BEARD AWARD BEST CHEF SOUTHEAST

IN AMERICA 2013 • BY BON APPÉTIT MAGAZINE

2014 JAMES BEARD AWARD OUTSTANDING WINE PROGRAM

IN THE WORLD 2014 • BY ANDREW HARPER REPORT

WINTER RATES—Roaring fires, frosty mornings, steaming hot toddies, beautiful views, blissful Winter spa treatments, seasonally inspired activities—and our best rates of the year. No matter what draws you, there are plenty of reasons to slip away to Blackberry this Winter and enjoy the stillness of the Smokies during truly one of the loveliest times of the year.

Make your holiday plans by calling 800.557.8451 or visiting blackberryfarm.com.

WARM UP—Winter is the perfect time to treat your body to a full day at The Wellhouse. Our Winter Wellhouse menu features our best rates of the year, making it easy for you to enjoy even more treatments during your blissful stay.