Unearth The Voyage
Tucked into the rolling farmland of west Tennessee, a 90-acre property in Kenton is quietly doing something remarkable. This farm grows its own grapes and berries right on the land, then turns them into bottles that have earned serious recognition.
The operation is run by the Sanderson family, who have built more than a winery here. They have created a destination where the farming, the craftsmanship, and the hospitality all come together in one place.
Whether you are curious about how a working vineyard operates, looking for a unique weekend outing, or just want to explore something genuinely local to Tennessee, this farm has a story worth knowing. The details ahead cover everything from the land itself to the events, the overnight stay option, and what makes this particular winery stand out in a state full of hidden treasures.
The Story Behind the Name
Not every winery has a name that makes people stop and ask questions, but White Squirrel Winery does exactly that. The white squirrel is a rare genetic variation found in certain parts of the American South, and it carries a distinctive, memorable quality that suits this place well.
Bill Sanderson designed and hand-crafted the winery building himself, and the white squirrel motif shows up throughout the property, most notably on the wine labels. The artwork on those labels has become a recognizable part of the brand.
There is something fitting about choosing a rare, locally rooted symbol for a winery that is itself a bit of a hidden find in rural Tennessee. The name does not come from marketing research or a branding agency.
It comes from the kind of personal, place-specific thinking that defines everything about how this operation runs, right down to the details most people would overlook.
Grapes Grown Right on the Property
Tennessee’s largest wine grape vineyard is right here on the White Squirrel property. That distinction is not a small one.
Growing wine grapes at scale in Tennessee requires real agricultural knowledge and a long-term commitment to the land.
The Sanderson family has put in that work, and the result is a vineyard that is genuinely worth seeing during the summer months when the vines are full and green. Guests who arrive during peak season get a visual sense of just how much farming goes into every bottle.
Among the varieties grown here, the Red Muscadine has become a standout. Muscadine is a grape native to the American Southeast, and it thrives in Tennessee’s climate in ways that European varieties sometimes struggle to match.
Growing it locally means the winery is working with a fruit that belongs here, which gives the finished product a character that is distinctly tied to this part of the country.
Berries in the Mix
Grapes are not the only fruit growing on this 90-acre property. White Squirrel Winery also incorporates berries into its production, expanding the range of what comes out of the winery beyond traditional grape-based options.
Fruit-forward wines made from locally grown berries give the lineup a variety that appeals to people who might not consider themselves traditional wine drinkers. That kind of range is part of what makes the winery accessible to a broad audience.
Growing both grapes and berries on the same farm also means the winery has more flexibility in what it produces from season to season. The Sanderson family can respond to what the land is producing and craft bottles that reflect the actual harvest rather than relying on outside sources.
That farm-to-bottle approach is something that sets White Squirrel apart from wineries that purchase their fruit elsewhere, and it is a point of genuine pride for the people who run it.
Award-Winning Wines Worth Knowing
The wines coming out of White Squirrel Winery have earned recognition that goes beyond local appreciation. The winery has built a reputation for carefully crafted bottles that reflect both the fruit grown on the property and the production skills developed over years of operation.
The lineup covers a range of styles, from dry to sweet, giving guests options depending on their personal preferences. The Red Muscadine is consistently the most talked-about bottle, but the full selection gives people plenty of ground to explore during a tasting.
What makes the recognition meaningful is that it comes from a relatively small, family-run operation in rural Tennessee rather than a large commercial producer with significant resources. The Sandersons have achieved their results through consistent attention to quality at every stage, from growing the fruit to bottling the finished product.
That combination of small-scale farming and serious craft production is what puts White Squirrel in a category of its own in this part of the state.
The Tasting Experience
A wine tasting at White Squirrel is not a rushed, transactional experience. The staff takes time to understand what each guest actually enjoys before making recommendations, which means the tasting is tailored rather than generic.
Tina, one of the winery’s team members, is known for guiding guests through the selection with enough background information to make each pour interesting without overwhelming anyone with technical detail. The goal is for people to leave knowing more about what they like and why.
The tasting room has enough space for groups to spread out and settle in, with seating both inside and outside near the vineyard. That flexibility makes it work for couples looking for a quiet afternoon as well as larger groups coming for a shared outing.
Many guests who come in for a tasting end up purchasing several bottles before they leave, which is a natural outcome when the experience is handled with that level of personal attention.
Events That Keep People Coming Back
White Squirrel Winery runs a regular calendar of events that give people a reason to visit beyond just picking up a bottle. From cornhole tournaments on sunny afternoons to candle-pouring classes held inside the winery, the event schedule is diverse enough to appeal to different interests.
The candle-pouring class in particular has been a hit, combining a hands-on craft activity with the relaxed setting of the winery in a way that makes for a memorable outing. It is the kind of event that works well for groups of friends or couples looking for something a little different.
The winery has also hosted fundraising events over the years as a way of giving back to the surrounding community. That community investment is part of how the Sanderson family has built genuine goodwill in the region.
Checking the event schedule before visiting is worth doing, since the right weekend can turn a simple visit into something that feels like a real occasion.
The Overnight Loft Stay
One of the more unexpected features of White Squirrel Winery is the Airbnb loft located on the property. Guests who want to extend their visit beyond an afternoon can book an overnight stay and wake up surrounded by the vineyard the next morning.
The loft includes a bedroom and full bath, and previous guests have noted that breakfast is part of the experience. Arriving to fresh-cut flowers and a private vineyard tour is the kind of welcome that makes the stay feel genuinely special rather than just functional.
For anyone traveling through west Tennessee or making a dedicated trip to the winery, the overnight option changes the nature of the visit entirely. Instead of rushing to fit everything into a few hours, guests can take their time with the tasting, explore the property at a relaxed pace, and return home the following day.
Bill Sanderson has even been known to deliver wine orders personally to guests who cannot make it back in time.
The Wine Club and Gift Options
White Squirrel Winery offers a wine club membership that gives regulars a way to stay connected to the winery between visits. Members receive quarterly selections, and the level of personal service that comes with the membership reflects the same approach Bill Sanderson brings to everything else here.
On at least a few occasions, when club members could not make it to the winery to pick up their selections, Bill personally delivered the bottles to their homes. That kind of follow-through is unusual and speaks to how seriously the Sandersons take their relationship with repeat customers.
The gift basket program is another practical option the winery offers. Guests can select and order baskets to be sent to friends or family for holidays or special occasions, with the winery handling the logistics.
For anyone looking for a gift that feels thoughtful and locally sourced rather than generic, a White Squirrel gift basket is a straightforward and genuinely appreciated choice.
Shopping the Winery Store
Beyond the bottles themselves, the winery carries a selection of handcrafted goods that make the retail space worth browsing. White squirrel artwork appears on labels, prints, and various gift items that carry the winery’s distinctive identity into everyday objects.
Soaps, candles, and other crafted items round out the shop, giving visitors options that go beyond wine for those who want to bring something home or find a gift. The variety inside the store reflects the same creative energy that Bill Sanderson put into designing and building the winery itself.
The shop also stocks items that connect back to the farm and the craft production happening on the property, so browsing the shelves gives guests a fuller picture of what the operation is about. For people who enjoy discovering locally made goods that carry a real sense of place, the winery store delivers that experience without requiring a lot of time or effort to navigate.
Planning Your Visit
White Squirrel Winery keeps a focused schedule that is worth checking before making the drive. The winery is open Friday from 3 to 6 PM, Saturday from 1 to 6 PM, and Sunday from 1 to 5 PM.
It is closed Monday through Thursday, so planning around the weekend is essential.
The property is straightforward to find, with ample parking available on site. For anyone coming from out of town, combining the visit with an overnight stay in the loft makes the most of the trip and gives more time to explore the vineyard and tasting room without feeling rushed.
More information, including the current event calendar and details about the wine club and Airbnb loft, is available at whitesquirrelwinery.com. A 90-acre working farm that grows its own fruit, crafts award-winning wine, and welcomes guests with genuine southern hospitality is not something you find every day, and this particular corner of Tennessee has been doing it right for years.
Where the Farm Meets the Winery
At 4385 45 W in Kenton, Tennessee 38233, White Squirrel Winery sits on a sprawling 90-acre property that doubles as a fully working farm. The land is not just decorative background.
It is the actual source of the fruit that ends up in every bottle produced here.
Kenton is a small town in Gibson County in west Tennessee, and the winery fits naturally into the agricultural character of the region. The property is easy to find, with plenty of parking once you arrive.
What makes this address more than just a pin on a map is the fact that the grapes growing in the front yard are the same ones going into the bottles on the shelf inside. That connection between the land and the finished product is something owner Bill Sanderson has made central to the entire operation, and it shows from the moment you pull onto the property.
