Find the Napa Valley of the South in Clarke County, Mississippi

In partnership with: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

For anyone driving through Clarke County, coming upon Breckenridge Farms, a 300-acre vineyard nestled between the rolling hills, might be a surprise. The sprawling muscadine vines at Breckenridge Farms produce thousands of tons of fruit annually. It’s one of the largest muscadine farms in the country.

As fall approaches each year, the aroma of muscadines draws visitors from all over the country and the world.

See more: How One Mississippi Chef Makes Farmers the Star of the Show at Upscale Elvie’s Restaurant

Mississippi Muscadines

Charley Phillips has owned and operated Breckenridge Farms in Shubuta since the 1980s. Paul Broadhead, a real estate developer who originally hailed from Meridian, was the first owner of the property and planted the first muscadine vines at Breckenridge. Broadhead worked with Mississippi State University to develop muscadine cultivars that would thrive in the sandy loam of Eastern Mississippi.

“We’re kind of the Napa Valley of the South,” Phillips says.

Today, Breckenridge grows around nine varieties of muscadines. They process more than 1,000 tons of the fruit into juice and wine each year and sell several more tons locally as fresh fruit. The health benefits of muscadines have been widely studied, and research shows they’re hearty fruits rich in antioxidants, so their juice is a healthy choice.

Next Stop, Shubuta

The farm’s scenic beauty brings visitors from far and wide. Located not far from Interstate 59, the farm is a convenient stopping point for travelers. On display in the farm store is a map of the world with pins left by visitors.

“There are two or three pins from Alaska, some even from Europe,” Phillips says. “It’s unbelievable.”

In addition to muscadines, Breckenridge grows a variety of vegetables throughout the year. At the farm store, customers can pick up everything from cut flowers to homemade muscadine jams and juice. According to Phillips, their muscadine ice cream has drawn visitors all the way from New Orleans. Eighteen-wheelers, motorcycles and everything in between frequent the parking lot.

“I don’t know if we’ve had anyone on a horse yet, but we’ve had everything else,” Phillips says.

Depending on the time of year, visitors can watch farmers harvesting and packing muscadines by hand or drive through the vineyards as part of a twice-yearly nativity scene at Easter and Christmas. The summer offers spectacular views of the lush vines after the hay fields have been cut. But autumn on the farm, when the vines begin to turn from green to yellow and gold, is Phillips’ favorite time of year.

“It’s a gorgeous time to see them,” Phillips says. “The landscape is something that you don’t see every day.”

See more: Flora’s Finest: How This Mississippi Town’s Food Scene Adapted to the Pandemic

A Community Staple

The farm has become an asset to the local community, providing fresh produce as well as the opportunity to learn about agriculture. Students of all ages have participated in “touch-a-truck” days and other educational events.

Family remains part of the business at Breckenridge. While Phillips still lives and works on the farm, his son, Elliott, currently manages the vineyard while bringing up the next generation of children who love to help out on the farm.

“It’s been a good fit for Elliott and his family,” Phillips says.

Whether to locals or visitors from afar, Breckenridge continues to offer a piece of home to those who are drawn in by the sights and smells of muscadines on the vine.

If You Go:

Address: 181 Americana Drive, Shubuta

Phone: (601) 776-7477

Hours: Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

breckenridgefarms.net