A HOME AT THE HORSE SHOE

There’s a place smack dab in the middle of Asheville, Hendersonville, and Brevard where the French Broad River bends like a horseshoe, cutting sharply west and then moving slightly south before boomeranging back east. The surrounding community and local businesses have leaned into horseshoe lore, using this unexpected river shape as both a namesake and a promise of good fortune.

One such business to embrace this twist and turn of the French Broad is Horse Shoe Farm, an 85-acre riverfront estate that offers an intimate and totally unique farm stay experience. Nestled in a nook of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Horse Shoe Farm offers luxury amenities in a rustic and scenic setting.

A vein of authenticity underlies the rustic decor and iconic farm buildings throughout Horse Shoe Farm. In the 1950s, this swath of land was cleared to create pastures that would sustain a thriving cattle farm for the next 40 years. During this time, a manor house, silo, and farmhouse barn were constructed on the grounds. In the 1990s, the Mullis family purchased the land, retiring it as a working farm and instead establishing a collector’s playground, where an enviable collection of antique cars drew crowds of collectors to the farm for semi-regular events.

Finally, in 2017, Horse Shoe Farm was passed to the Turchin family, who transformed it into a private retreat, adding to their portfolio of commercial properties in the US and furthering their connection to North Carolina. John Turchin currently sits on the board of advisers for The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at Appalachian State University—the center was made possible through a generous endowment by the Turchin family.

Nowadays, Horse Shoe Farm functions as an ideal place to bring together family, celebrate a special occasion, get away for a spa weekend, or simply reconnect with nature. Just ten minutes away from the Asheville regional airport, Horse Shoe offers a range of spacious accommodation options—from Magnolia Manor and The Stable House, which encompass five bedrooms that can sleep 12 or more people amid a combination of comforts like fireplaces, hot tubs, and elevated decks, to four modest cottages and a loft for smaller groups or couples. Each house has a full kitchen, living room, and dining area.

The Turchins brought their own vision and special touch to the place: Original works of art, including enormous glass pieces from a contemporary of Dale Chihuly’s, are everywhere on the property—indoors and out. Susan Turchin’s sparkling crystal sculptures are also housed all over the property, as are various luxury elements, like large soaking tubs in the houses, a sauna, a large heated outdoor pool, and an incredible spa.

Outside, walk the property from your house and you’ll see chickens pecking around the grounds, and horses, goats, and ducks sharing space in the pasture. Next to the pasture is The Stable Spa.

The Spa boasts a comprehensive menu of luxe services—from bespoke body and facial treatments to wellness classes. Located inside a large and beautifully renovated barn, The Stable Spa is open to the public by appointment as well as to Horse Shoe Farm guests. Each spa room is behind original stable doors. Relax with a deep tissue massage, specialty massage (such as a pregnancy or oil massage), foot therapy, facial massage, or acupuncture treatment. Or, use your escape at the Farm to carve out time and space for your wellbeing by attending yoga, meditation, or forest bathing classes.

After working up an appetite, head to the Silo Cookhouse for farm-to-table dinners in a spacious barn-style building with views of Mt. Pisgah. Here, the Turchins put their longtime love of fine dining and wine on full display. On Wednesday nights, it’s all about the pasta, whereas Thursday through Saturday evenings feature menus designed on the backbone of local offerings and seasonal produce. Once a month, the chefs put on a “Supper Club” event in collaboration with local farmers and purveyors. Horse Shoe’s chefs craft multi-course, family-style menus built around the selected local purveyor of the month, highlighting, for example, Mars Hill Mushrooms or Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery.

Horse Shoe Farm is best set up for people traveling in large or small groups, and often hosts corporate retreats, yoga retreats, and larger family celebrations and events.

The amenities are many: There’s easy access to hikes and French Broad fly fishing spots, and even a luxury car storage facility. Enjoy the comfortable lodgings, delicious dining, and a breathtaking setting—Horse Shoe Farm has something for every type of guest, making it a rejuvenating, relaxing western NC weekend destination.