Belle Meade Plantation in Nashville is a must-see attraction. The museum here is anything but boring! Instead, they convey the rich history of the building through plenty of interactive activities you can join. When I visited, there was so much to do that I would need an entire day (or two) to do it all.
The Greek-revival mansion is just a few minutes outside of downtown Nashville. The plantation used to be famous for thoroughbred horses, so you’ll see plenty of references to horses around the estate.
As so much of life at the plantation was tied to entertaining, there are several unique classes you can take related to food and drink.
There is a brand new cooking school that will open in 2020, where you can learn how to make southern classics like biscuits. There is also an icebox where you can try Belle Meade Bourbon and learn how to make mint julep cocktails.
Meanwhile, if you have a sweet tooth, you’ll want to visit the fudge house (Coop’ n’ Scoop Ice Cream), which as an incredible spread of different flavours of desserts. Each piece is $4.25, but you can get a box of 6 types for $20.00
One secret thing many people don’t realize when visiting Belle Meade is the $24 mansion tour also includes a free wine tasting! If you prefer a food and wine tasting, that is also an option for an extra fee too.
The estate has its winery, and within the gift shop, you can sample several of the wines for free (when you purchase the tour).
During my visit, I tried their award-winning red wine, the Big Win Zinfandel. It is a smooth, easy-drinking red that will appeal to most as it is slightly sweet and has subtle berry notes.
Next, I tried the Carriage House White, which would pair wonderfully with cheese because it has notes of apples and lemon.
The two wines, I suggest you try are the Blackberry and Red Muscadine. Both are wines I would never have typically ordered, but due to the recommendation, I tried them. They are both dangerously delicious and don’t taste like you have wine at all but a not-to-sweet juice. These two you’ll want to buy a bottle to sip on the patio in the summer.
Without question, next time I’m in Nashville I’ll be visiting this estate as I want to try the new cooking school and take the bourbon class.
Interested in signing up for one of the tours I mentioned, you can do so on the Belle Meade Plantation’s website.
Also, if you live in the USA, you can order any of the wines I mentioned from the Belle Meade Winery’s wine store and have a bottle shipped to your home!