Our Story

In December of 2009, Phil and Lydia Butler George, two active empty-nesters, decided it was time to go home. Both daughters, Alli and Abby, had gone to college and started lives of their own. With aspirations of turning their love for great wine into the reality of a vineyard and winery for all to enjoy, what better place to make this happen than the heart of Middle Tennessee where the wine industry was beginning to make great strides in producing quality, award-winning wines. So they came home to the place where they both were raised – Lewisburg, Tennessee.

Back in the spring of 1950, Phil’s parents, Macklin and Elinor George, bought a small farm on South Berlin Road outside of Lewisburg. These gently rolling hills with two meandering creeks, woodlots of oak, hickory, and cedar trees, and some pasture and crop land were a fine place to raise a family. The most unique feature of this farm was the old abandoned railroad bed running east to west across the property. Some sixty years later, that farm which had once been tended for corn, tobacco, and hay, is now the home of Pickers Creek Winery.

They built a venue for tasting delicious wines while showcasing Lydia’s mosaics and paintings along with paintings by Phil’s sister, Janet White, and art from other local artists. Phil’s brother David created the stained glass that is the centerpiece of the tasting room. Phil’s brother, Kenneth, who also lives on the farm in the original homeplace, is also a “picker” and I am sure on any given night you can hear him pick and sing a few tunes.

Chapter 2 –
In September of 2025, Phil and Lydia announced their new partnership with Stephanie and Russell Spann. For years, Steph has been an integral part of the winery working behind the tasting bar, helping with merchandise in the gift shop, and recently coordinating social media. Her expertise, creativity, and innovative mindset make her the perfect person to take over the day-to-day operations of the winery. Russ will soon be retiring from his 27 year career as a videographer for many country acts including Miranda Lambert, Reba McIntire, and Old Dominion. Saying this will be his “farewell tour”, Russ is ready to bring his considerable skills and strong work ethic to Pickers Creek Winery.

The Georges would like to thank all of the folks who have supported the winery, many who have literally worked alongside them in their journey over the last 12 years. They will continue to work at the winery and with the Spanns to insure a smooth transition to this new chapter in the Pickers Creek story. Plans are in the works to initiate a wine club, add new events, and add new wines and merchandise for our customers. The Georges are especially excited to see Marshall County’s premier venue expand and rise to a new level of excellence. Visitors from every state and dozens of countries have found Pickers Creek Winery to be an incredible wine, music, and art venue. And the future looks even more exciting.

A visit to Pickers Creek will provide the opportunity to listen to plenty of great live music while sampling wines produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Muscadine, and other grapes that flourish in the Tennessee climate. With names like “Harmony” (a Chambourcin and Cabernet Sauvignon blend), “Rockabilly Red” (made from southern Muscadine grapes ) and Blackberry Blues (a sweet berry wine), a tasting at Pickers Creek is like reliving the popular, old Volunteer Jam (without the smell or taste of reefer, whiskers, or fiddle bow rosin).

Come sit on the wide porches or under the trees, or sit by the bonfire on a cool evening, listen to music and sip your favorite wines. Bring a picnic and lots of friends for a relaxing afternoon or evening overlooking the vineyard, the old rock wall, Pickers Creek or even take a stroll through the vineyard and down the abandoned railroad track. Spend a while in the gift shop looking at the art and many other gift items. Wine, Art, Music – the best life has to offer.