Welcome to our
50th Anniversary
For 50 years, Blackberry Farm has been shaped by the land, the people and the moments shared here. Throughout this special anniversary year, we’ll be opening the archive and creating new chapters — sharing stories, reflections and milestones that honor where we’ve been and point to what’s ahead.
Our 50th year will unfold story by story. Check back often as we share more memories and moments that have shaped Blackberry Farm.
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Learn More about The LandThe
LandThe history of the land that is now home to Blackberry Farm dates back thousands of years, long before Blackberry Farm became an inn and opened its doors to the public. For centuries, the land has nourished people and shaped their way of life with its dense forests and fertile valleys. Towering hills cloaked in mist came to define the area surrounding Blackberry Farm, the mountains that would later be designated as part of the National Park system and named the Great Smoky Mountains. The Smokies got their name from the Cherokee people. They called it “Shaconage,” which means “place of the blue smoke.”
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The
Early YearsIn the late 1930s, Chicago natives David and Florida Lasier traveled to the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains on their way to the Georgia coast. They were instantly enthralled by the majesty of the mountains and soon began searching for the perfect setting for their new home amidst the beauty of these hills. David found his dream property just four miles from Walland, Tennessee, nestled on a tranquil country road.
Learn More about The Early Years
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Learn More about The Beall FamilyThe Beall Family
In 1976, Kreis and Sandy Beall laid eyes on Blackberry Farm for the first time. The Bealls were enthralled by the possibilities and the beauty of the land. Sandy, a 26-year-old restaurateur, and Kreis, a visionary in her own right with a knack for cooking and entertaining, decided to take a gamble, and the Bealls, in partnership with a few other families, purchased Blackberry Farm that same year. The Beall family moved into the inn with their 4-month-old son, Sam.
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Sam Beall
In April 2003, Sam Beall took the helm as the proprietor of Blackberry Farm. Sam grew up on the Farm, watching, waiting and dreaming of how he could build upon the legacy of his parents and make Blackberry Farm the world-renowned destination it is today. Sam studied at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the California Culinary Academy, with stints at prestigious establishments like Thomas Keller's The French Laundry, Peggy Smith’s Cowgirl Creamery and The Ritz-Carlton, honing his culinary expertise.
Learn More About Sam Beall
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Learn More About FoodFood
Blackberry Farm's culinary story begins with the deep roots of Appalachian culture. The Farm’s mission is to pay homage to cultural history and authenticity while evolving and innovating in the culinary world. This commitment to preserving and elevating Appalachian culinary traditions is displayed with dishes that feature an array of fresh vegetables, game meats, wild mushrooms and preserved goods, showcasing the farm-to-table philosophy that has become a cornerstone of Blackberry Farm's culinary identity.
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Wine
From beginning as a small inn that couldn’t sell alcohol to becoming home to one of the largest and most exciting wine collections in the country, the development of the wine program at Blackberry Farm is an incredible example of growth over the last five decades. With the belief that food and beverage are inseparable in providing a top guest experience, our award-winning wine team, led by Andy Chabot, focuses on finding the perfect pairings for our signature cuisine and offering exclusive opportunities to complete the full experience for guests.
Learn More About Wine
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Learn More About EventsEvents
When Kreis and Sandy Beall opened Blackberry Farm to the public in 1990, Kreis would go to trade shows and call travel agencies, trying to put their little place in Walland, Tennessee, on the map. But trying to get people to come to Tennessee, much less Walland, proved a challenge.
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The
TeamWhat began, as Kreis Beall likes to say, with “three and a half team members” — Sandy, Kreis, their young son Sam and one dedicated team member, John Coffey — has grown into a community of more than 1,200 team members across the Blackberry properties.
Learn More About The Team
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Learn More About Giving BackGiving Back
The Blackberry Farm Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, is at the heart of Blackberry's commitment to giving back to the community. Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has been dedicated to supporting local charities and initiatives, particularly those within Blount County, where Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain are located.
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Blackberry Mountain
In 2007, the Beall family, in partnership with several long-term friends, purchased 5,200 acres nestled within the Great Smoky Mountains that would eventually become Blackberry Mountain, which opened to guests in 2019.
Learn More About Blackberry Mountain
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Learn More About Blackberry Farm TodayBlackberry Farm Today
Over the past five decades, Blackberry Farm has evolved from a six-room country inn to a 68-accommodation Relais & Châteaux resort. Blackberry Farm now includes four iconic and award-winning restaurants, a luxurious spa, a larder and preservation kitchen, on-property garden and so much more.