18 SOUTHERN INSPIRED MAGAZINE

Belle Meade Plantation by Jessica Cherry Tennessee is a wonderful place for Christmas. The Opryland Hotel recently reopened, downtown Nashville has gotten its holiday makeover. Locals and visitors might be looking for holiday activities that are off the beaten path. Nestled off Harding Pike in Belle Meade sits the Belle Meade Plantation, the former home of General William Hicks Jackson and his family, The thirty-acre historic site offers a unique look at the way Christmas was celebrated in the 1800s. The plantation s original mansion was restored and now serves as a museum where visitors can take a tour guided by experts dressed in Civil War era garb. The mansion is currently decorated for the holidays. Decorations remain somewhat simple in comparison to modern -day standards but stay true to the time period. SOUTHERNINSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM 19

Holly is hung over images of the Jacksons' deceased loved ones as a memorial. The Victorians had a morbid sense of life and death, and Christmas was usually a time for reflection in addition to celebration, says John Lamb, plantation curator. Frothy syllabub, a traditional winter drink, waits in the parlor room for guests. Syllabub comes in many variations. The Belle Meade recipe includes white wine and eggs. The mixture then sits for a few days to allow the cream to rise and froth. 20 SOUTHERN INSPIRED MAGAZINE

Before the Civil War, the Christmas holiday was a simple affair, but after the war was over there was a desire to be modern and forward thinking. This new outlook combined with mass production and the importation of goods sparked the commercialization of Christmas. According to Lamb, the change was not received well by the press, and families such as the Jacksons were criticized. The Belle Meade Plantation offers an educational experience. Today's guests learn about the Jackson family and other residents of the plantation. Lamb notes that the Jackson family hosted well-known guests during the holiday season such as President and Mrs. Cleveland, Robert Todd Lincoln, Charles Dudley Warmer, and William Howard Taft. SOUTHERNINSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM 21

After touring the mansion and plantation grounds, guests can relax at The Winery, open Monday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All the wines offered come from grapes grown near Hohenwald, Tennessee, and the wine is made by award winning vintner Brian Hamm. Director Alton Kelley and his wife Sheree, run the non-profit winery. All bottles of the local wine selection are under twenty dollars, and all proceeds go back to the plantation to help preserve local history. Wither you are looking for a family fun outing, a visit to the past, or drinks with friends, the Belle Meade Plantation is the perfect holiday attraction. SOUTHERNINSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM 23

BELLE MEADE BLACKBERRY WINE JAM CAKE 1 1/2 cups sugar 3/4 cup oil 1/2 cup Belle Meade Plantation Blackberry Wine 3/4 cup buttermilk 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups blackberry jam (I prefer seedless) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon all spice 1 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup chopped pecans (optional) From the Kitchen of Sheree Kelley Do you have a recipe that works with our wine? Email us: winery@bellemeadeplantation.com Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour three nine inch round cake pans. In a small bowl, stir together flour and next seven ingredients. In a large mixing bowl combine sugar, oil, wine, buttermilk, eggs and blackberry jam; mix well. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, add vanilla and beat four minutes on medium speed. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Prepare Blackberry Wine Filling and Blackberry Wine Frosting. Place one cake layer on serving plate; top with Blackberry Wine Filling. Top with second cake layer; top with Blackberry Wine Filling. Add third layer; frost the top and side of cake with Blackberry Wine Frosting. BLACKBERRY WINE FILLING 1/3 cup sugar 3 tablespoons cornstarch 2/3 cup Belle Meade Plantation Blackberry Wine 1/2 cup blackberry jam (seedless) 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons butter or margarine Combine sugar and cornstarch in small saucepan. Stir in wine and blackberry jam; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Do not boil. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and butter. Cool completely. BLACKBERRY WINE FROSTING 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/4 cup Belle Meade Blackberry Wine 4 cups (about 1 pound) powdered sugar Beat butter and wine in medium bowl until creamy and well blended. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Makes about 4 cups frosting. Enjoy!! SOUTHERNINSPIREDMAGAZINE.COM 25