Explore West Tennessee Wine Country at These Local Vineyards
A number of flourishing West Tennessee wineries draw visitors from near and far. Perched on the rolling hills, these vineyards specialize in grapes that thrive in Southern climates and provide an educational and relaxing agritourism experience for seasoned wine lovers and newcomers in the Jackson region.
This article first appeared on Livability.com.
Century Farm Winery: Centuries in the Making
Century Farm Winery in Jackson lives up to its name. As a designated Tennessee Century Farm, the land has been in Bart Horton’s family for nearly 200 years. As proprietor and master winemaker at Century Farm Winery, Horton is now the sixth-generation caretaker of this land, which his ancestors originally purchased as part of a land grant program.
Though the farm has taken different forms throughout its many years of operation, it is Century Farm Winery’s grapes that now define it. What started as a “retirement hobby gone out of control” for Horton’s stepfather has now become an award-winning business. The winery produces over 20 award-winning wines and has claimed three Tennessee Governor’s Cup awards since opening in 2007.
Century Farm Winery grows eight varietals of grapes, including muscadines, reds and whites. Muscadines, being native to the southeastern United States, thrive in the West Tennessee climate. The Cayuga white and Corot noir grapes were both developed at Cornell University and excelled in the South. The diverse varietals at Century Farm Winery result in a wide range of wines. Options include everything from sweet fruit wines to dry reds and whites and everything in between.
Open seven days a week, Century Farm Winery stays busy year-round, with peak seasons in summer and winter. Its Voices in the Vineyard concert series brings hundreds of visitors in the summer. Events like bingo night and painting classes keep people entertained throughout the year.
As a Harvest Host site, RV campers can stay one night for free if they purchase something from the winery’s tasting room.
“You don’t have to travel to Napa Valley to come and experience wine country,” Horton says. “We’re 10 minutes outside of the heart of Jackson.”
See more: Tennessee’s Top 10 Agricultural Products
Crown Winery: The Crown Jewel of Getaways
When Dawn and Scott Fallert purchased Crown Winery, they were newcomers to the wine business. Yet, assistance from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, as well as the support of fellow winemakers, quickly brought them up to speed.
Crown Winery was originally a dairy farm and was transformed into a vineyard by original owners Peter and Rita Howard. When Peter passed away and the winery went up for sale, the Fallerts stepped up. The original grape varietals planted by the Howards are still in place today, mostly French hybrids that do well in Southern climates. Hardy Chambourcins, along with Chardonels, Traminettes and five other varietals, dot the gently rolling hills of the 50-acre vineyard. The winery produces over 20 wines from this crop.
“We have everything from a dry white or dry red to fruit wines,” Dawn Fallert says.
While most Crown Winery wines are sold at the property, the winery has two satellite locations in the Nashville area, which help draw people out of the city to see where the wines are produced. The Crown Cottages offer a bed-and-breakfast getaway, and the Tuscan villa-style tasting room provides an immersive, educational experience for wine lovers of all levels.
“We don’t discriminate,” Fallert says. “It’s not like you have to know a lot about wine to come here.”
See more: Going Behind the Scenes of Tennessee’s Grape and Wine Industries
A Growing Wine Community in West Tennessee
The number of wineries in West Tennessee is modest but growing, and the community among winemakers is strong. Fallert says that she can always call a neighboring winery to borrow a piece of equipment or get advice on a weather-related issue affecting the vines.
For visitors, having options is always a plus; the more wineries in an area, the more variety of flavor profiles there are to choose from.
“We are a small but mighty group of vineyards over here in West Tennessee,” Fallert says.