While visiting Fall Creek Falls State Park on Tennessee’s famous Cumberland Plateau, a trip to some of the local establishments are in order. Opened since 1991, Stonehaus Winery in nearby Crossville was one of the first wineries in Tennessee. The winemaker, Mr. Fay Wheeler, was instrumental in passing a law that allowed wineries to operate in all Tennessee counties, wet or dry. Winemaking, as his second career, was borne from his years spent living in Europe and the Greek Isles while working as an U.S. Army Intelligence Officer. Together with his wife, upon retirement, he moved back to his home-state of Tennessee to embark on a new career.
Twenty years later, the winery is going strong and producing wine that is sold commercially throughout the state and nation. Being located on the geographically unique Cumberland Plateau, Stonehaus Winery creates distinctive and flavorful wines enjoyed by locals and known throughout the Southeast as being some of the best local wine available. Offering a variety of wines, the most popular are the sparkling Seval Blanc and the Muscadine, a sweet Southern favorite. Other wines include Blackberry Summer, Cumberland Gold, Pinot and Raspberry Mist. All wines are made with at least 75% vineyard grown grapes and are processed in the facility. Visitors to Stonehaus Winery can enjoy free wine tastings Monday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday 12pm to 5pm. A tour of the winery is also available. A gift shop on site offers fudge, gourmet food items and other locally created gifts.
