Find Your Thrill at Hickory Hill

Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery is family owned and has ties that go back to the very beginning of Smith Mountain Lake. Owners Roger and Judy Furrow are natives of Roanoke VA. You could say Roger's father had a hand in creating Smith Mountain Lake. He was a part of the crew who helped built Smith Mountain Lake Dam. Twenty-Five years ago Roger and Judy planted their first 250 vines, now this vineyard is into the second generation and going strong!

Hickory Hills has a lot of history behind it. It was actually Virginia's 75th winery and the Second winery in Bedford County!! Hickory Hills is a part of the Bedford Wine Trail as well. With the fall crush just starting to ramp up, there is a unique aspect at Hickory Hills that is hard to find anywhere else. You can become a part of the harvest by being a Hickory Hill Harvester!

Hickory Hill Harvester started in 2002. The club consists of people who are willing to help out picking grapes during the month of September. To be a Harvester you must be available to help pick grapes at least 2 days during the harvest. Anyone who is a part of the HH Harvester club will receive an invitation to a private party with barrel tasting of the wines YOU helped make! If you want to be a part of the club call Judy or Wendy at 540-296-1393!

Actually getting to help with the grape harvest is definitely a way to find your thrill at Hickory Hill! It isn't everyday that you get to help create Award Winning Wines!! So come visit Smith Mountain Lake, and if you like it, move here! If the thought of creating your own special wine makes your heart skip a beat, check out the Savoy-Lee! Call Vicki Millehan, she can give you all the details on owning your own Bedford County Winery!!

A Driving Force: Blue Ridge Parkway!

Running along the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains is the road they call, “America’s Favorite Drive!” It is the Blue Ridge Parkway! Whether you are visiting Smith Mountain Lake or a resident, this road is something to be experienced! You can catch a ride onto the Parkway at Roanoke, via the visitor’s center, or even at the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center. This is one drive you won’t regret!

In summer, the fields are full of beautiful Virginia wildflowers, in the fall; the trees will bring out their finest colors to dance on the crisp air of autumn! The Blue Ridge Parkway was designed to be a recreation road, something to be driven just for the pleasure of it and it shows! There are several visitor centers along the way. Kids really enjoy the Parkway and they can even become a Junior Ranger! You can get their folders either online or at any of the visitor centers.

There are four lodges along the Parkway; one of the most breathtaking is Peaks of Otter Lodge! You can enjoy all the gorgeous scenery of the mountains. Fiery fall foliage, deer and an occasional bear are just a few of the things you may see. The lodge is located in Bedford, VA. You have your choice of two restaurants; The Lake View Restaurant and the Otter Creek. The Lake View is located at the Lodge itself and is open all year around. Otter Creek is open seasonally, May 1 through October 31.

As you leave the Smith Mountain Lake area of the Blue Ridge Parkway, just past the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, you will hit the highest elevation of the road; 3950 ft!! Because the weather can vary so much in these high altitudes, make sure and check the weather for several communities along the road so you have an idea of what to expect. It is always a good idea to carry jackets and some emergency supplies in the trunk of your car. You can find more Safety Tips on the BRP website!

If you get a chance to enjoy the Parkway, be sure and stop at Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit, and if and if you like it then move here! Buying Lakefront property does not have to be full of twists and turns and blind corners! Call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert!

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Summer is winding down and soon we will be blessed by nature's colorful palette of fall leaves. No matter the season, there is a place where you can enjoy the beauty of Virginia with your family: Smith Mountain Lake State Park! From swimming to hayrides, there is fun for the whole family!

You can enjoy any of the 13 trails that wind through the park. Trails range from half a mile to three miles long, so there are trails for beginners and more experienced hikers! You can hike through hardwood forests, pine forests, beautiful vistas, and quiet coves of Smith Mountain Lake. You will quickly see why they call the area "Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains"!! Trails are open during daylight hours all year round.

If you are looking for swimming, you have found the spot! The park's 500 foot beach can accommodate 1,000 people. There are some swimming fees, but in the summer, overnight guests can swim for free! Of course, there is also fishing and boating available; this is after all Smith Mountain Lake!! This weekend you can even enjoy a free Hayride by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake Park!

At the Beach Pavilion this Saturday, August 22, you can enjoy Music in the Park! Starting at 8pm you can hear the music rendering of Linwood White and the Blue Grass Travelers. The Old Dominion Cloggers will also be there to entertain. The admission fees are $5 and kids 12 and under are free. So bring your family and your lawn chair and enjoy the music!!

This area has so much to offer! How many places can you go where you can visit a local winery one day and take the family to the Lake for Blue Grass Music the next? It is this kind of diversity that makes Smith Mountain Lake so unique! Come for a visit, if you like it, move here!! There are also diverse kinds of real estate in the area! From waterfront luxury Homes to a family winery for sale, Vicki Millehan can help you find your place in Franklin or Bedford County!

End of Summer Fun in Bedford!

Fall is spectacular at Smith Mountain Lake! The beautiful color of the leaves, fall crush in full swing, and crisp air are all welcome signs that fall is here! As much as we love fall, there is some part of us that doesn't want to quite let go of summer. So how can we resolve this conflict of emotion? Well, an End of Summer Party should do the trick!!

The Bedford Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2009 Beach Bash at Parkway Marina in Huddleston! On August 22 from 4 pm to 9pm, you can enjoy local wines and microbrewed beers! There will not be any shortage of summer time fun!! Tickets can be bought online or from many local businesses. Advance tickets are $15 and are $20 at the gate. Don't forget to bring your ID so you can enjoy all the local wines and beers!

Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery, Peaks of Otter Winery, and White Rock Vineyards are just a few of the local wineries that will have tastings available, as well as wine for sale! The Chamber even has "Woozies" too, if you need one for your favorite glass of wine!! There will also be Microbrew available! Jefferson Street Brewery and Woodchuck Draft Hard Cider will both have their wares available at the party this weekend.

Only one thing is missing...music!! But have no fear, the Bedford Chamber of Commerce has it covered! Part Time Party Band will provide music for the evening. There will also be various food vendors at the Party too! Looks like everything is covered for friends, music, wine and fun!!

So don't miss the 2009 Beach Bash at Parkway Marina this weekend! Don't forget that the Savoy-Lee, another fine SML winery that happens to be for sale, is always open for tastings too. Come visit us here at Smith Mountain Lake, and if you like it then move here! If you are thinking you don't want to miss any of the spectacular seasons at Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan, you local real estate expert! She can help you find a Lakeside Home where you can enjoy all the beauty of the area from your own back deck!!

Tropic Heat at Smith Mountain Lake

Did you know you could practically visit Key West without ever leaving Smith Mountain Lake? Well if you don’t believe me, head on down to the Portside Grill and Bar! Located across from Marker R21, this piece of the tropics likes to boast it is the ONLY restaurant ON the water at the Lake. The reason they feel they can make the claim, is they actually extend out on a dock over the water. So if you are ready for a colorful meal, head on over by boat or by land!!

Lynn and Alice Swain run the restaurant right at the Virginia Dare Marina. This is convenient since they also operate the Virginia Dare cruises on the replica side wheeler!! With a tropical rhythm and food to compliment, most customers may feel they are in Key West! Every other Sunday, you can even enjoy the Steel Drum band from Quest Academy in Roanoke. On the opposite Sundays, a DJ will keep you swaying to the music! Portside Grill and Bar usually opens around 11am on Saturday and Sundays through Nov 1. Until Labor Day, you can catch the fun starting at about 2pm. Usually things wrap up between 9 and 9:30pm…but in the laid back spirit of Key West, you can enjoy the tropic heat until 11pm if the party is still going!!

Speaking of heat, you will hear locals praise the hot sauce at Portside! If you like the hot sauce have no fear, it can be bought in the marina shop! Now what is it they might be pouring the hot sauce over? The menu is simple but great! Peel and eat shrimp, and BBQ sandwiches can be found on the menu, but the most requested item is the Cheeseburger!! These bad boys are grilled right outside the bar and served fresh on an onion roll!! Just wash that down will a cool margarita and you will be hearing the island music.

Children are welcome too! There is ice cream to enjoy and an arcade to conquer. The carp are much obliged to the popcorn the kiddos toss them in the water. “We wanted to emphasize the family aspect, the food and the atmosphere. We don’t want people to be afraid to bring their kids. It’s a very family-friendly atmosphere,” said Alice!

So if you want to enjoy the tropics without leaving the Lake, you have to enjoy a meal at Portside Grill and Bar! If you are looking for a hot property in Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert! So come and visit Smith Mountain Lake, if you like it, then move here!!

Getting Fit at Smith Mountain Lake!!

A new business will be opening its doors this fall in the Westlake area! The owners have one goal in mind: keeping the people of Smith Mountain Lake healthy!! Smith Mountain Lake Wellness and Fitness will be opening soon on Westlake Road. Members of the new facility will have access to many programs that will help keep them in shape on general principles and to enjoy the many recreational activities in the area!

Owner Rob Jordan has been a personal trainer in the Smith Mountain Lake area for over two years. He said SML Wellness and Fitness center has one focus, providing one on one training for clients. Every employee will be a certified personal trainer. They will offer their members expertise ranging in nutrition, weight training and fitness management. Unconvinced? Check out their 10 Reasons YOU Need a Personal Trainer.

The vision is to help the average person reach their fitness goals without getting lost in a crowded gym. Rob says, "As soon as a client walks through the door, we'll give them a complete body composition analysis to show them where they are and where they need to be. Even if you don't have a health issue, you can come work out in a classy place with no crowds and no big meatheads."

Whether your goal is to look good while water skiing, fishing or kayaking on the lake or you just want to be healthier, SML Wellness and Fitness will help you reach those goals! Many even move to Smith Mountain Lake to enjoy retirement. Staying fit will only lengthen the time retirees will have to enjoy life on the Lake!!

If you are looking to retire to Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan to help you find the home that is a perfect fit for you! Smith Mountain Lake has much to offer a retiree, from award winning golf courses to relaxing wine tastings at the local Virginia vineyards!! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here!

Keeping the Pottery Wheel Spinning in Bedford,VA!!

In 1825 Silas Wade built a small 2 room, 2 story cabin on a beautiful piece of property that would one day become part of Bedford, Virginia. In the winter the beauty of the Peaks of Otter can be seen through the trees. Nearby, the creek babbles in its bed. I wonder if Silas knew his cabin would still be standing in 2009, keeping alive the tradition of American pottery. Emerson Creek Pottery and its artists have taken residence in this historic home and are creating hand painted masterpiece in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

From Tea pitchers to baking dishes, all the pottery at Emerson Creek Pottery is handmade and hand painted. The clay itself is made onsite. A gas kiln is used for firing. The artists use no stencils or templates. Whether it is the festive Cranberry Pattern or the popular Fields of Iris, the pattern is practiced and committed to memory. This is what makes each piece unique yet consistent! Sets of Emerson Creek Pottery have been featured from Mt Vernon to the Smithsonian Institute! You will probably find at least a few pieces in most of the fine homes in Smith Mountain Lake, Bedford, Roanoke and surrounding areas.

Just like most business owners in the area, the owners Jim and Priscilla, want to do whatever they can to preserve the natural beauty of the area. All of the pottery is lead free! They have even gone one step further to create a new line called “Go Green”. They even use cornstarch packing peanuts and use Recycled-Fiber Shipping Boxes!! Everything thing they make is lead free and non toxic. Emerson Creek Pottery has been making beautiful and safe ceramic ware since 1977 and don’t plan to change that tradition! They even make baby dishes!

So if you are enjoying your day at Smith Mountain Lake and realize you just must have a new Brie Baker, you are in luck because you can find one just a small drive away! From candleholders to jug lamps, you must check out Emerson Creek Pottery while you are in the area! You will yet again be amazed at what is available in the Bedford area!! So come and visit and if you like it move here! Local Real Estate Expert Vicki Millehan will be glad to help you find a home where you can embrace or create your own American traditions!!

Home and Harvest at Huddleston’s Savoy-Lee Winery

Well, the month of August has begun and that means one thing at the Savoy-Lee winery: Harvest time!! Things are beginning to get busy at this award winning winery! The fall crush is when all the labors of spring and summer come to full fruit and marks the birth of this season’s wines!! You can feel the excitement building as the fall harvest is just weeks away!! That excitement can be felt all along the Bedford Wine Trail!

The wines produced from this harvest look to be as promising as the 2005 Johnson Mountain Picnic Series that won the Bronze at the 2006 Virginia’s Governors cup wine competition! It has completely SOLD OUT!! You can find other of their wines listed at the online tasting room! Just click on Start Shopping and you can see their complete wine list. Better yet, drop by for an unforgettable tasting. Our tasting room is open to the public Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 12pm - 6 pm or by appointment by calling (540) 297-9275

The 2006 wines are going to be released soon, so sign up now for the newsletter to receive pre-release dates! Before being released, our wines are available to sample in the tasting room. So far the 2006 are receiving rave reviews! The growing season in 2007 was remarkable and many cannot wait to see how those wines perform! Things just keep getting better at the Savoy-Lee!!

As hard as it may be to believe, the Savoy-Lee has become available to purchase! You can contact Vicki Millehan, a local real estate expert, if you would like a more personal look at the Savoy-Lee or view our virtual tour! The area is so beautiful it is hard to take it all in, with lake views and beautiful surroundings it can take your breath away! With harvest set to begin, you can be a part of this award winning vineyard! At the very least come visit us at Smith Mountain Lake, and if you like it, then move here!!