Meet the Woman Behind Tennessee’s Beloved Blackberry Farm
Fifty years in, Blackberry Farm is still evolving. Proprietor Mary Celeste Beall chats with us about the resort’s milestone anniversary, her new podcast, and the ideas and experiences keeping the beloved East Tennessee destination on the map. Image: William Hereford
For 50 years, Blackberry Farm has set the gold standard for Southern hospitality, evolving from a beloved family retreat into one of the country’s most celebrated luxury destinations. At the heart of that evolution is Mary Celeste Beall, proprietor of Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain, whose creative vision continues to shape the brand’s future through hospitality, storytelling, food, wellness, and design.
With the property celebrating its 50th anniversary — and the launch of a new podcast inspired by the conversations that unfold around Blackberry tables — we caught up with Mary Celeste to talk about legacy, creativity, and what’s on the horizon.
What did life look like before Blackberry Farm?
I’m originally from Alabama, and my connection to Blackberry Farm began as a teenager in late 1993, when my late husband and high school boyfriend at the time, Sam Beall, surprised me with my first trip to Walland just before Christmas.
I still remember winding down West Millers Cove Road, seeing the white fences hug the rolling hills, and feeling like I had stepped into a storybook. Over the last 30-plus years, my life has been deeply intertwined with this place and its people.
My greatest passions have always been rooted in creativity and family. Sam and I spent years learning together — from life at Blackberry to our years in California, while he attended culinary school and deepened his love for wine and hospitality. I was fortunate to have a front-row seat as Blackberry evolved from a small inn into something much larger while still holding tightly to its soul.
How has your relationship with Blackberry Farm evolved?
When I first arrived, Blackberry Farm felt magical and deeply personal — very much the Beall family’s mountain home. There was a warmth to it that immediately made you feel cared for. I experienced it first as a guest, then as Sam’s wife, and eventually as a mother raising our children here surrounded by gardens, creeks, and these mountains.
Over time, that relationship evolved into stewardship. Today, I think constantly about protecting not only the land itself, but also the feeling of Blackberry Farm — the traditions, hospitality, connection around the table, creativity, and sense of belonging that matter most to me now.
What does that balance look like, especially as the property celebrates its 50-year milestone?
I think growth only works when it’s deeply rooted in authenticity. Blackberry Farm has never been about becoming bigger for the sake of being bigger. It’s always been about deepening the experience and staying connected to the land and to people.
My mother-in-law, Kreis, dreamed of a storybook farm. Sam dreamed of taking Blackberry back to its roots — growing more of our own food, making cheese from sheep’s milk, and building meaningful culinary experiences around what the land could provide. Even today, those same ideas guide us.
As we celebrate 50 years, I think about the thousands of hands and hearts that built this place — our family, team, guests, and neighbors. Blackberry has endured because it has always been personal, and that’s the balance we protect every day.
How has being a mother, leader, and creative shaped your approach to hospitality and business?
Motherhood has probably shaped me more than anything else. It teaches you about legacy, responsibility, emotional connection, and the environments you create for other people.
Creativity keeps me curious and reminds me that details matter — how something feels, smells, sounds, or welcomes you emotionally. Leadership has taught me that hospitality is ultimately about people: listening, caring deeply, and creating meaningful experiences for others.
At Blackberry Farm, those roles naturally overlap. This has always been a family place, and I think guests feel that.
Can you tell us about the new podcast? Who can we look forward to hearing from?
The podcast grew out of something we experience every day at Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain — extraordinary conversations. Around the dinner table, in the garden, or by the fire, fascinating people gather here to share ideas and stories, and we wanted to bring listeners into a little of that magic.
One of the most special parts for me is sitting down with Sarah Chabot, who has been part of the Blackberry story for more than 20 years, and having conversations that feel personal, relaxed, and honest.
We’ve launched conversations with Meredith Melling and Lily Aldridge, Nathan Turner and Eric Hughes, and winemaker John Alban, with many more chefs, artists, musicians, and longtime friends of Blackberry to come. What I love most is that it isn’t overly polished; you hear laughter, stories, and genuine connection, which feels true to the spirit of Blackberry.
Looking ahead, what are you dreaming up for the next 50 years of Blackberry Farm?
I think the future of Blackberry Farm is less about scale and more about depth — wellness, food systems, conservation, creativity, and how hospitality can foster genuine connection in a world that feels increasingly disconnected.
Blackberry Mountain was one of those dreams brought to life. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding storytelling through the podcast, the next issue of Blackberry Magazine, and future creative projects that preserve the history and spirit of this place while inviting new generations into it.
What do you love about Southern makers and creatives?
I’m endlessly inspired by Southern makers because there’s usually a deep respect for craftsmanship and story behind what they create. I love handmade pottery, beautiful linens, antique textiles, thoughtful furniture makers, gardeners, chefs, and artists who create with a strong sense of place.
Some of my favorite things are, honestly, the simplest — fresh flowers clipped from the garden, handmade ceramics, heirloom quilts, art from my children, old cookbooks, or a beautifully set table that invites people to slow down and stay a while.
What are your other sources of inspiration?
Travel is always inspiring to me, especially places deeply connected to their history and landscape. I’m inspired by artists and creatives who craft worlds that feel layered and emotional, and by conversations with people who talk passionately about what they love.
Lately, because I’m often pulled in many different directions, I find more and more inspiration from women who are slowing down and savoring simple pleasures.
Where can we find you when you’re not working?
Usually outside somewhere. I love walking the property, spending time with family, or gathering around the table with friends. If I can get into the woods or work in my yard, even for 15 minutes, that’s always a goal. I also love quiet time without a device to read and reflect, so my mind can wander and find more clarity and peace. There’s something really energizing about slowing down and grounding oneself.
For women building a business, a home, a new relationship … what is the greatest lesson you can share?
Meaningful things take time. The best relationships, businesses, homes, and communities are built slowly and with intention.
I also think there’s tremendous power in vulnerability and resilience existing side by side. Life will surprise you with seasons of joy and heartbreak, but if you stay rooted in your values and continue showing up with heart and purpose, beautiful things can grow from that.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Best piece of advice you’ve received? Don’t be paralyzed by perfection!
Best recent meal? A simple late spring lunch at Blackberry — greens from the garden, spring peas, radishes, and a few edible flowers for color.
Three things you can’t live without? Books, time at the table, and honest conversations.
Favorite recent read? The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
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Anne Marie Hanna
An Ole Miss alum residing in Nashville, Anne Marie is passionate about telling the stories shaping the South. Outside of work, you’ll likely find her on a porch with a coffee and a good book, gardening, listening to music, or enjoying time with friends and family.