From Bridles to Barrels

Written By Jennifer Curnutt

How a Thoroughbred Farm Became Nashville’s Oldest Winery

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery has deep roots in the South. What began as a renowned thoroughbred farm in the early 1800s - home to some of the most legendary blood lines in horse racing - now stands Nashville’s oldest winery. With its rich heritage and storied past, it’s a fasincating place to spend the day.

Today, the Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery features guided tours, a museum, wine and bourbon tastings, and historical reenactments.

HISTORY OF BELLE MEADE

Belle Meade has an interesting history that began in 1807, when John Harding purchased the land and built a small log cabin, the Harding Cabin, which still stands today. In the early years, he supported himself through subsistence farming and boarding horses for people - a move that would eventually lead to the estate becoming one of the most prominent thoroughbred horse breeding farms in all of the South.

In 1839, Harding’s son William Giles Harding inherited the property from his father and began construction of the Greek Revival Mansion - now the centerpiece of the property that most people think of when they hear ‘Belle Meade Estate.’ Completed in 1853, it quickly became a symbol of wealth and prestige in the South.

Image: Historic Civil War photo of Brigade officers from Wikipedia.

Civil War - During the Civil War, William Giles Harding was imprisoned for supporting the Confederacy, leaving his wife, Elizabeth, all alone to manage the farm. With the help and labor of enslaved people at Belle Meade, she managed to maintain the farm in his absence despite challenges of the Union occupation and repeated looting until he eventually returned home.

Thoroughbred Horses - Over time and after William’s return, the estate grew into a renowned thoroughbred horse farm. It gained national fame for breeding champion racehorses which was solidified in 1872, when William purchased a horse that many have never even heard of - Bonnie Scotland.

Considered the greatest sire to ever stand at Belle Meade, Bonnie Scotland established one of only three American sire lines to have dominated horse racing in the last 60 years.

Image: George Wolf on Seabiscuit.

Remarkably, since 1960, every single Kentucky Derby winner can trace its lineage back to Bonnie Scotland, including eleven out of 13 triple crown champions. His descendents include Secretariat, War Admiral, and Seabiscuit, securing his legacy in American horseracing history forever.

Image: Painting of Bob Green at Belle Meade.

Much of Belle Meade’s success in horse breeding has been attibuted to Robert “Bob” Green, an enslaved man who later continued working at the estated as a contract laborer. He had a natural ability and extraordinary talent for understanding and working with thoroughbreds. His reputation was so well regarded that he had the honor of meeting and shaking hands with not just one, but two U.S. Presidents.

Image: 1896 Broadway melodrama The War of Wealth inspired by the Panic of 1893.

Despite enduring the turmoil of the Civil War, the estate remained influential until it began experiencing significant financial difficulties during the Panic of 1893, a severe nationwide depression. This downturn hit the estate hard. As the estate was passed down through the generations, so was its substantial debt eventually leading to its sale in 1906.

Today Belle Meade is owned by the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities and operates as a historic site, that honors and preserves it complex history and the lives of those who lived and worked on the land. It is also a functioning winery.

TIPS FOR VISITING

To make the most of your visit to Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery, here are some tips for visiting and things to know before you go.

  • Belle Meade is located just 10 minutes from downtown Nashville.

  • They are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm Central time.

  • There is free parking near the Visitor’s Center.

  • All tours include access to the grounds and free wine tasting.

  • Book tickets online in advance to ensure availability.

  • Private wine and bourbon tours usually require a minimum of 6 guests per group and are by reservation only.

  • There are often special events to plan your visit around.

  • Belle Meade features live music every weekend from April through November.

  • Bonnies’ Bourbon & Wine Barn and Belle Meade Meat & Three offer dining for the public, no need to purchase a ticket or tour.

  • Dining at Fox Run Cafe and Coop ‘N’ Scoop are beyond the area where tickets are required. You can access them by purchasing a ticket to visit the grounds, a mansion tour, or a tasting.

Nashville Weather by Season:

  • Spring (Mar. - May): Pleaseant and moderate. Average highs: 61-79°F. Average lows: 39-57°F.

  • Summer (June - Aug.): Hot and very humid with July typically being the hottest.month. Average highs: 87-89°F. Average lows: 66-69°F.

  • Fall (Sept. - Nov.): Weather transitions from warm to cool with crisp air and vibrant fall foliage. Average highs: 61-83°F. Average lows: 40-61°F.

  • Winter (Dec. - Feb.): Winters are cold but mild. Snow is rare. Average highs: 47-52°F. Average lows: 29-32°F.

GUIDED MANSION TOURS

Mansion tours at Belle Meade offer visitors an in-depth look at the estate’s complex history as you tour the 1853 Greek Revival mansion. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides, who walk you through the mansion’s restored rooms filled with original furnishings, artwork, and artifacts while sharing the fascinating stories of the families and enslaved individuals who lived there. Every tour includes access to the grounds and a complimentary wine tasting.

WINE & BOURBON TASTINGS

Belle Meade Winery offers a variety of wine and bourbon tasting experiences which provide a flavorful way to experience the estate. These include curated bourbon tastings featuring premium Tennessee whiskeys with small bites, wine tastings with sommelier-selected wines and food pairings, or both with a wine, borboun and food pairing.

GROUNDS AND GIFT SHOP

Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery sits on the remaining 30 acres of what was once a vast 5,400 acre estate. You can still stroll beneath centuries-old Southern Magnolias and visit many of the original structures in addition to the mansion - the gardener’s house and greenhouse, the Harding Cabin (the original log cabin), the Ice House, Smoke House, Jubille Cabin, a dairy, and life-size Doll House. There’s also a Carriage House built in 1892, with a colletion of historic carriages, some over 100 years old.

Visit the Wine Garden where guests can enjoy live music on the weekends from April through October located next to the winery, or head to the Games Court for cornhole, putt-putt, bocce ball, hourseshoes, or corquet.

DINING

There are several options for dining at the estate. Bonnies’ Bourbon & Wine Barn and Belle Meade Meat & Three offer dining open to the public where you won’t need a ticket to enter. Bonnie’s features classic and seasonal bourbon cocktails, wine, and small bites while Meat & Three features Southern BBQ.

If you are purchasing a ticket to explore the grounds, tour the mansion tour or to partake in a wine and borboun tasting, you will also have the option of dining at Fox Run Cafe or grabbing a treat at Coop ‘N’ Scoop ice cream shop. Fox Run features a menu with salads, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and craft beers.

HISTORICAL REENACTMENTS

Belle Meade periodically hosts Civil War reenactments and living history events. The reenactments feature costumed soldiers and civilians who bring to life the experiences of those living through the war giving guests a glimpse into what life was like during that era. They also offer the Battle at Belle Meade: Civil War Tour, a walking tour where you can learn more about this time period.

SEASONAL AND SPECIAL EVENTS

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery offers seasonal events including wine festivals, holiday events like Halloween and Christmas tours, outdoor concerts and live music, and special bourbon tastings. They also offer workshops and other educational events each month. Click here for the upcoming schedule.

PRIVATE EVENTS & WEDDINGS

If you are looking to host a private event or need a venue for a wedding, Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery offers an elegant and serene setting for any celebration. You can learn more here.

READ MORE:

Jennifer Curnutt
Next

The Most Unique Place to Stay in Yosemite