Northwest Arkansas Wineries and Breweries

By Terri Nighswonger

Wineries

Sassafrass Springs Vineyard and Winery

Sassafrass Springs Vineyard and Winery is the brainchild of Gene and Cheryl Long. The property was purchased nearly six years ago and shortly after, construction began. The winery tasting room is a renovated dairy barn with many barn features used for decorating.

“Multiple decks built off the back of the tasting room are surrounded by the natural beauty of the property,” Gene said.

The decks hold up to 250 people on any given night. Patrons can taste wine as well as enjoy dinner every Friday and Saturday night from April through October. Reservations must be made in advance for dinner and live music is available from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the tasting room. 

“Currently, we are producing around 1,000 cases of wine in our production building,” Gene said. “These wines consist of Syrah, Chardonnay, Rose and Riesling. Also, we have a great selection of wines and beers from around the world that are available for tastings on a daily basis.”

The Stables at Sassafras was once a horse barn owned by former Razorback football coach Houston Nutt. The space is currently a 3,500 sq. ft. reception center for events such as wedding receptions, corporate events, galas and private parties.

An open-air chapel was designed to look like ruins the couple saw in Italy while touring and holds up to 300 guests. Most weddings on the property are held there.

Sassafras Springs Vineyard is located at 6461 East Guy Terry Road in Springdale, and offers wine tastings, a bar open to the public during business hours, and live music on weekends. Bottles of wine, bar accessories and locally sourced breads, cheeses and handmade cutting boards are also available for sale.

From drafting buildings on dinner napkins to repurposing horse barn materials into a unique and beautiful venue for special occasions, the couple did all the design work. Cheryl decorated the interior of the winery with unique décor including horse stall doors and wine barrels.

6461 East Guy Terry Road, Springdale
sassafrassspringsvineyard.com

Tontitown Winery

With wines made on-site, from locally-grown grapes, visitors can enjoy free wine tasting seven days a week. The winery is located in the “Taldo House,” built in 1917, and the former home of the Dixie Pride Bonded Winery #40. While there, check out the History Room which features the traditions of grape-growing and wine-making by the Italians who founded the town.

The wine list includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, White Muscadine, a Southern favorite, Niagara, a Tontitown favorite, and Amico Della Nonna, a fortified Concord wine and a Tontitown tradition.

The venue also provides live musical entertainment. Check the website for a complete schedule.

335 N. Barrington Road, Springdale
Tontitownwinery.com

Keels Creek Winery:

Keels Creek Winery is a must-stop spot on your visit to Eureka Springs. Located in the hills of Keels Creek, south of Rock House Road about three miles from town, the eight-acre winery grows white grapes, Vidal, Vignoles, Chardonel; and red grapes Chambourcin Frontenac, Coro Noir, Noiret and Cabernet Franc.

Winery production began in the fall of 2006 by Doug Hausler, a retired analytical chemist and his wife Edwige Denyszyn, artist. They produced some 750 cases of wine in their first efforts. Currently production is at around 2,000 cases. The focus of the winery is to stay as a boutique winery with wines made from their vineyard and other local vineyards.

The tasting room and retail wine sales are located in a Spanish-style building shared with Keels Creek Art Gallery. Enjoy the gallery while relaxing with a glass of wine next to two massive stone fireplaces. Keels Creek is open from noon-5 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday for wine tasting.

3185 E. Van Buren (US 62)
Keelscreek.com

Breweries

Bentonville Brewing Co: Bentonville Brewing Co. is a production craft micro-brewery with beer available at local bars and restaurants in Benton and Washington Counties. Seasonal and specialty beers are available at the taproom, which is open Thursday through Sunday. Beers include Soul Shine Kolsch, a traditional German-Style ale, Natural State Porter and seasonal brews such as Salted Cherry Sour.

1700 S. 1^st St., Rogers
Bentonvillebrewing.com

Bike Rack Brewing Co.: Bentonville’s Oldest Brewery, Bike Rack, touts quality ingredients, local inspiration and a love of bicycles and good conversation, that brings people together for a thirst-quenching brew. The company has two locations, with the original at the Hub of Bentonville on the bike trail in the heart of the Arts District. Opened in May 2017, the second location is a part of the 8th Street Market, a community-focused food hub. Beer aficionados can enjoy golden ale, amber ale, IPA, as well as seasonal and small-batch beers.

801SE 8^th Street, Bentonville
410 SW A Street, Bentonville
bikerackbrewing.com

Ozark Beer Company: Officially brewing beer since 2013, Ozark Beer Company, is rooted in the tradition and hard work of the people it serves. Beers such as Onyx Coffee Stout, Cream Stout, Belgian Golden Ale and India Pale Ale, and seasonal brews can be found at their Rogers tasting room. OBC beers are also served at various establishments throughout Northwest Arkansas. Check the website for tasting room hours and where to find OBC beer.

109 N. Arkansas St., Rogers
ozarkbeercompany.com

Core Brewing & Distilling Company: Core Brewing & Distilling Company started in September of 2010 and offers a wide variety of premium crafted beers and spirits. Tours are available Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Experience the tasting room to sample styles, watch the game, or just grab a beer after work. Choose from nine year-round styles and multiple seasonal styles.

2470 Lowell Road A3, Springdale

Apple Blossom Brewing Company: Enjoy a craft brew with dinner at the Apple Blossom Brewing Company. Most brews are available year-round either on tap or to-go in 32 oz and 64 oz growlers. Beers include American Blonde, Armstrong APA, Blank Canvas Berlinerweisse and dry cider. Check the website for limited release brews.

1550 East Zion Road, Fayetteville
Appleblossombrewing.com

Saddlebock Brewing Co.: Saddlebock Brewery is the first production brewery in Northwest Arkansas. A state of the art – and environmentally conscious – facility, Saddlebock brews 18 beers on tap or to-go on a farm in Springdale. Offering European-style beers in small batches, without artificial ingredients or preservatives, owner Steve Rehbock believes that to make great beer, the fermentation process should not be rushed. Visitors can also enjoy a beer and food at the White River Café.

16600 Safflebock Lane, Springdale
Saddlebock.com

Fossil Cove Brewing Co.: Based in Fayetteville, Fossil Cove is named after a favorite fossil-laden cove on the shore of Beaver Lake. Focused on American and Belgian-style Ales, Fossil Cove offers year-round and seasonal brews including La Brea Brown, Paleo Ale, T-Rex Tripel and seasonal beers such as Hoppy Wheat, Whizzle and Blizzle. The tasting room is open Tuesday through Sunday. Check the website for times.

1946 N. Birch Ave., Fayetteville
Fossilcovebrewing.com

Columbus House Brewery: Located in Fayetteville, just off the bike trail, Columbus House is a small three-barrel brew house owned and operated by two University of Arkansas graduates. Opened in 2015, the brewery offers permanent taps such as Yellow Card Golden Ale and Nutty Runner Nut Brown Ale and rotating taps such as the Grand Depart French Style Saison or Toi Moi et la Tripel Belgian Tripel. You will find them open evenings seven days a week.

701 W. North St., Fayetteville
Columbushousebrewery.com