August 5, 2019
Watermelon Creek Vineyard just celebrated its 7th year, and many of our first guests are continuing to enjoy our wines and now our lunch and supper offerings! The inspiration, encouragement, and I must say the financial support from customers -turned -friends has been our“fuel” !
Having been offered the chance to purchase the family property while in our 50’s, it was a challenge that actually re-fired us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We often thought of what we would have done if we had been offered this much earlier in life? God has His reasons , and I can only trust that His timing is PERFECT!
Well that brings me to the next topic : who will carry on and build upon this successful( we think so , as the bills and taxes get paid!) adventure to restore life to “Tison Crossroads” and to honor the labors of our Padgett ancestors who literally carved and sustained a lifestyle here 200 years ago? We have visions and dreams of what could be on this 300 acres in addition to our current winery complex: an Equestrian facility, a Country Market , an Event and Wedding Venue that could accommodate up to 300 under centuries-old Live Oaks and overlooking two ponds with an abundance of wild life and aquatic fowl, a fine dining restaurant with an enormous commercial kitchen and staffed with a multitude of culinary specialists, overnight accommodations in the woods with miles of trails to explore through the property...... well you get the picture! We NEVER stop dreaming!
I guess this place really is in our DNA, and the next generation with its youth and new visions and an abundance of energies will “catch” it too! Our son, Joshua, and wife, Paige, are planning to join our “Dream Team”next year, as he is the 9th generation and moved here with us as a teenager. Our other 3 children and grandchildren will have roles to play also , as their careers allow.
So we are finally beginning to think about letting go of the reigns just a little and trust the next generation to come alongside. The journey continues...
