Belle of the Mansion

Dave visits with the new CEO of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

Interview by Dave Mahanes / Photo Courtesy of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

I first met Sheree Kelley and her husband, Alton, when I joined the Board of Belle Meade Winery in 2009 when the winery began. Alton was President of Belle Meade Mansion, and Sheree was Manager and eventually CEO of Belle Meade Winery. Sheree is also celebrated for her entertaining prowess and popular cookbooks. Over the years, I have come to admire Sheree’s drive, creativity, leadership, and warmth. I am proud to count her as one of my friends. Recently, Sheree was appointed CEO of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, succeeding Alton, who passed away unexpectedly last year from a brief illness. I had the pleasure of catching up with Sheree shortly after she assumed her new role.

Dave Mahanes: Sheree, you and Alton were such a great team and couple; how did you meet?

Sheree Kelley: Alton and I met when I became the Regional Director of Tourism for the State. As I went about the 13 counties of South Central, Tennessee in this new position, I was asked daily, “do you know Alton Kelley, the Executive Director of the Middle Tennessee Visitor’s Bureau? He has the greatest knowledge of tourism and marketing, and you need to meet him.” Finally, after about the 100th person said that I picked up the phone and called him and the rest is history. Now, Alton has a little more colorful story, something about this woman in a mini skirt ascending his spiral staircase to his office on the square in Columbia…of course he did.

DM: What inspired you to transition to CEO of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery?

SK: I wanted to see Alton’s legacy continue. As the CEO of the Belle Meade Winery and the untimely death of Alton, the Board felt it would be a seamless transition. There were many projects and ideas in the making, and I want to see those come to fruition. We have come a long way, and I hope to keep us on track for many years to come.

DM: Where do you see Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery going in the future?

SK: I am enthusiastic and honored to serve as CEO of Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery. I am grateful for this opportunity to lead the site forward and thankful to Alton for his leadership and guidance, which has been instrumental in making Belle Meade what it is today.

DM: How did you and Alton develop the idea for a winery at Belle Meade Mansion?

SK: As a non-profit, fundraising became increasingly difficult. Alton said, “So we’re going back to the soil because that’s what built this place.” There was no other non-profit doing this, so that is what made us so unique. This was the beginning of the planning process, which took over two years to maneuver our way through all the bureaucracy. As the tourism director for the region, I began to see wineries popping up all around. I had developed a relationship with Brian Hamm at Keg Springs Winery in Hampshire, Tennessee, and he became the perfect fit for a lasting relationship as our wine producer.

DM: How did you come to write your two cookbooks, "Servin’ Up Summer" and "Breads and Spreads"? Are there any more planned for the future?

SK: "Breads & Spreads" was my first cookbook to produce and was dedicated to my maternal grandmother, Grandmommie. “For all the Saturdays of lessons cooking, baking, canning, gardening, and sewing. For the Sundays of family and friends around the dinner table— your love and knowledge to never be forgotten.” Being the keeper of family recipes and lore, I wanted to combine all the information as a keepsake for my family and anyone who loved southern cooking. "Servin’ Up Summer" came about with my love of gardening and canning. My Granddaddy Johnson, Papa Rose, and Daddy always had a garden. Every summer was spent pickin’, shellin’, shuckin’, snappin’, freezin’, cannin’, cookin’, and then enjoying the fruits of our labor. And yes, I am working on a Christmas cookbook next.

DM: What do you like to do in your spare time?

SK: My sweet little granddaughter, Rose, is the joy of my spare time, along with cooking, baking, gardening, and reading. I want to learn to play pickleball sometime soon.

DM: Thank you, Sheree, for sharing your time and talents. Have a great summer.