Couple’s ‘Grape Expectations’ rewarded in second career

Owners Gene and Cheryl Long love creating beautiful spaces at Sassafras Springs Winery and Vineyard

“Don’t waste your experience!” This advice for seniors comes from the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce’s Chung Tan. She’s the group’s chief economic development officer and says Northwest Arkansas is “an amazing environment of opportunity for mature adults seeking to give and do.”

One local couple, Gene and Cheryl Long of Springdale, have put their experience to impressive use in second careers. After working as insurance executives for over 20 years, with agencies in ¿ve Northwest Arkansas locations, they opened Sassafras Springs Winery and Vineyard in 2014. Their excitement about the business, rated as the region’s number one venue for three straight years, is irrepressible.

“We love what we do, and we love people,” Cheryl, 57, said. A native of Springdale, she said she’d always wanted to create a wedding venue, and “Gene always wanted to start a winery.” Gene, 67, was born in Winfield, Louisiana “within a hundred yards of the Pea Patch Farm,” he said with a smile, and he served for nine years in the U.S. Navy.

Married in 2000, the Longs share a common passion for building and creating things. “The ¿rst home we lived in, I think we remodeled it for 10 years!” Cheryl said. They went on to develop Bridlewood Estates in 2007, located around the corner from the winery.

Cheryl had also dreamed of building a chapel, a dream fulfilled with the Sassafras Springs Chapel Ruins she designed where couples exchange vows in a charming Old World setting.

“We have about 130 weddings each year and 3,000 visitors to the winery each month.” The estate originally was a horse farm belonging to former Razorback football coach Houston Nutt and covers 50 acres of rolling hills and stately trees. “It’s a wonderful place where people are always celebrating things.”

A popular feature is the tasting room, formerly the old milk barn, where guests can enjoy one of seven varietals of wine made on the property and also craft beer, food and live music on weekends. The Stables Event Center accommodates wedding receptions, corporate and nonprofit events, and other special occasions. Coming in the spring 2019 is the Lodge at Sassafras Springs, one of Gene’s creations.

Wines from their own vineyard and from West Coast grapes are produced in the manufacturing building. “Our wines have won many awards. Our Syrah wine won a Gold Medal award in an international competition out of 4,000 wines,” Cheryl noted.

“We’ve loved each aspect of our lives and the different chapters of it. I think we could be digging a ditch and thinking of how our ditch was going to the be coolest and the deepest and the opportunities it might bring. Gene always thinks about the jobs he’s providing for others.” As for the risks of owning a business—whether an insurance agency or a winery, Gene’s motto is, “Take the lowly turtle … it never gets anywhere until it sticks its neck out.”

“It’s a wonderful place where people are always celebrating things.”