Forty Cannons Winery
Henderson, TN
*Disclaimer: This content is not paid or sponsored in any way. It is written as an informational guide for readers to explore and experience the winery mentioned in the post.
However, there is an offering provided by the winery as a courtesy to readers of this post, detailed at the end.
“Hoist th’ Colors”, the cap’n belts out across the ship. That is Mrs. Val’s way of saying, ‘pour the wine’!. Mrs. Val is the owner and operator and yes, the captain of Forty Cannons Winery in Henderson, TN and those colors are the unique wines that will take your palate on an adventure to remember. Being a descendant of Edward Teach, better known as Black Beard the Pirate, Mrs. Val has themed her winery as such. Through this she shows that pirates are kind-hearted, creative and always up for an adventure.
The theme is mostly displayed in the tasting room where you will find a flag of the bleedin’ heart and trinkets of pirate life. This is offset by other interesting items such as jars of honey which Ms. Val obtains from local bee farmers and peacock feathers from the farm’s best preener, Romeo. You will also see signage and even a skull and crossbones flag placed strategically throughout the property.
Along with her mild-mannered husband and farmstay owner Mr. Rich, they operate Stillwaters Farms. It is a fully functioning farm with animals such as guinea fowl, peacocks, donkeys horses and even a mini-bull. The grapes as well as other items for Forty Cannons’ wines come from the farm. The rose petals in the Merry and Wild Rose wines are harvested in the beautiful garden right on the property. The whole of Stillwater Farms, which is where Forty Cannons is located, is such a beautiful and serene location. There you have pea hens and chickens and roosters who roam free as well as horses and a bull and a couple of beautiful sweet Great Pyrenees doggos. It is not uncommon to see a cute little bunny or deer or two frolic at the edge of the vineyard. Along with the animal life, Ms. Val grows elderberries and herbs and roses, all of which are used in her wines.
Just across the fence from the vineyard is a quaint, two-bedroom cottage that is available for booking overnight stays. Back in the vineyard, there is a lovely area under a huge oak tree where you can sit and sip a flight, a glass or a bottle if you so choose. The sounds of nature are all that you hear, unless her husband Mr. Rich is on his tractor. It all can make you forget that you are only about ten minutes from downtown Henderson.
Forty Cannons offers very unique wines and an experience you are sure to remember. I have always thought of the property as an artist and writer’s retreat. A wonderful place to sit and enjoy nature and be inspired.
So, “Hoist th’ Colors” and load the cannons. But aim them away from the vineyards!
The Wine:
Starting off with what I call the ‘sisters’, these two wines are exciting to drink alone but an experience to drink together. Dubbed ‘two sides of the same coin’ by the winemaker herself, both the Merry Rose and the Wild Rose start out with, you guessed it, roses! Chardonel grapes and rose petals, both grown on Stillwaters Farms, are fermented together to give a lightly floral dry and semi-dry white wine. The difference between the two? The Wild sister has been aged in a bourbon barrel. Merry Rose stays home in her glass, very demure. While Wild Rose is out to party at the bar. Both light and floral without having the flavor of grandma’s perfume, these two wines are refreshing with a natural and subtle sweetness that will give you a smile either way.
Affectionately known as E.I.T., the East India Trading #283 features an amazing burst of herbaceous adventure. The herb we’re talking about here is basil. Earthy, lightly floral and slightly sweet, the basil is a team player in this wine. Waking up notes in the grapes, the basil itself dances boldly but does not compete. If you’re not sure how basil might work in wine, be sure to give the E.I.T. a try, it is sure to give you a new horizon to sail for.
Ever fallen in love and gotten your heart broken, but couldn’t be happier about it? Then you’ve had a Bleedin’ Heart. Once you have had a sip of the Forty Cannons sweet wine, then you will know the joy of pain. Named after the winery’s distinguished flag, this wine melds bittersweet cacao with dark cherries to bring you the silkiness of deep, rich chocolate and warm fruit. This is decadence in a bottle sans cloying sweetness or artificial flavor. As a chocolate lover, this is one of my absolute favorites and I think it could be one of yours too.
Lastly, we come to something with a bite. Ye ol’ Scurvy Dog. What do you get when you ferment key limes along with cayenne pepper? You get bark and a bite! This semi-dry white wine is something true adventurers will love and those on the shore will want to at least try. Starting off with the fresh citrus hit of the key lime, Scurvy Dog finishes with a light dance of heat at the back of the tongue. Not enough to burn you, the pepper doesn’t linger but prepares you for your next bite of food. I tried it with a sample of raw, unfiltered honey (also available for tastings, flights and purchase) and cheese and it was an amazing round of flavors.
*Fun Fact: the next batch of Scurvy Dog will feature key limes grown right in the state of Tennessee. (https://www.picktnproducts.org/)
The Experience:
Ms. Val is what we like to call a scientist, or as one of her son’s says, a mad scientist. These terms of endearment become apparent when you taste her wines. For example, if you were to bite a key lime and then a cayenne pepper you may never be able to taste again. But the way that Ms. Val has melded these two and given it the right fermentation leaves you with something light and fruity but with absolutely no punch in the face. Seriously, even the slight pepperiness dances at the back of your tongue like the mini-ballerinas who get a full 15 seconds on stage in a big dance recital. Cute, makes you giggle and then they’re gone.
What’s more, if you want to be talked to like an old friend and pick up some wisdom along the way, Ms. Val is your girl. The tasting room is small and intimate and she does the tastings herself. Afterwards, take some time to slow down sitting under the shady oak tree. Watch the animals, catch up with friends/ family. Just take some time to pause life. Even if you are not into wine, she does offer other beverages like water or ginger beer (which is non-alcoholic) so there’s something for everyone.
Tastings:
Tastings: Free. (Until the end of 2024)
We love that! She will let you taste what she has available but she will let you know if she’s sold out.
My Takeaway:
As I have stated before, I’m not here to convince you to be a wine drinker, but I am here to inspire you to follow your heart and dreams. Forty Cannons is following your dreams in reality. Wineries are about more than just the wine, they are about the experience. No matter how many people are there at the time, you will have an intimate experience and I am sure you will find something to be appreciative of in your own life. Be sure to make your way to Forty Cannons Winery in Henderson, TN to see Mrs. Val and taste some amazing and unique wines.
In addition to the wine, the farm and the animals, Forty Cannons Winery makes its home on Stillwaters Farm. The farm is host to a farmstay cottage on the premises. A well-preserved two-bedroom, one bath cottage is available for short-term rentals. Check out the link below.
Inspired,
B. Long
For more information on Forty Cannons Winery, go to: https://fortycannons.com/
Stillwater Farms (Farmstay) info: https://stillwaters.farm/index.html#/
or
https://fortycannons.com/?page_id=14 and click on ‘Winery Getaways’
**Limited Time Offer**
Cap’n Val has graciously given me the opportunity to offer a sweet gift to add to your visit.
Use the comment boxes below to add your name and city and I will email you a code to show when you visit to receive a free cheese and cracker tray with the purchase of two glasses of wine!
Be sure that your email is correct in the comment section. This offer is only available through December 8th, 2024. (Check Forty Cannon’s website for their schedule).
