A New Trail Brings Together Makers in Williamson County

arrington vineyards

The Masters & Makers Trail traverses the scenic landscape throughout Williamson County, connecting craft distilleries, local breweries and an award winning vineyard to highlight an exceptional tasting experience.

A partnership between the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) and the five trail partners, the Masters & Makers Trail marks the first tourism offering connecting all reaches of Williamson County.

The Masters & Makers Trail is comprised of Arrington Vineyards, Mantra Artisan Ales, Mill Creek Brewing Company, H Clark Distillery, and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in the local culture while savoring the distinct, locally made flavors at each of the stops that dot the more than 70 miles of the trail.

“Williamson County has a thriving wine, beer, and spirits scene that you won’t find anywhere else thanks to the diverse array of partners that make up the Masters & Makers Trail,” said WCCVB President & CEO Ellie Westman Chin. “Connecting them into one trail will provide visitors with a great experience, showing them first hand how these great products are made, while also showcasing the beauty across Williamson County.”

With numerous side stop and local restaurant options along the way, the Masters & Makers Trail has positioned itself as an ideal weekend getaway destination. The mixture of a winery, breweries, and distilleries along the trail also highlight its uniqueness.

“While most trails you find around the country focus specifically on one product, when visitors make their way around the Masters & Makers Trail they will experience the wide variety of spirits and beers that are handcrafted here in our backyard.”

There are five stops on the tour. Below is information on each of the five locations.

Arrington Vineyards

Arrington Vineyards provides a wine country experience complete with award-winning wines, wine tastings in the rusting tasting lodge and “Music in the Vines” – free live music on the weekends – all set among the picturesque rolling countryside of Williamson County. Owned by country music artist Kix Brooks, winemaker Kip Summers, and entrepreneur John Russell, AV has indeed become Nashville’s wine country. Arrington Vineyards offers tastings and tours every day. Learn more here.

Mantra AlesMantra Artisan Ales

Located just minutes from Main Street in Downtown Franklin, Mantra Artisan Ales offers carefully crafted beers featuring seasonal ingredients. You’ll not regret enjoying any of the homegrown brews offered!

Tours of Mantra are available every Saturday on the hour at 3 – 6 p.m. Tours are $10 and include a souvenir glass filled with your choice of beer to enjoy while you tour the facility. Learn more here.

Mill Creek Brewing CompanyMill Creek Brewing

Mill Creek takes pride in brewing craft beer that doesn’t mess with the standard. As they put it, “it’s the beer that stocked in your fridge — good for the backyard barbecue AND the dinner party with your boss. It’s the beer you can drink all day and never get tired of.”

Tours Available Saturday from 12-5 p.m. Learn more here.

H Clark Distillery

H Clark Distillery is creating hand-crafted spirits one small batch at a time. With a passion for quality and craft integrity, they take the finest grains and ingredients and transform them into the ultimate spirit experience. Focusing on quality over quantity, H Clark Distillery creations include Tennessee Bourbon, Black & Tan Whiskey, Tennessee Dry Gin, and New Whiskey.

H Clark Distillery crafts 100 percent of its spirits in the old town Granary in the charming and picturesque town of Thompson’s Station. In August of 2014, H Clark Distillery became the first legal distillery in Williamson County in over 100 years, and they craft their spirits in the same building local farmers used to house grains before loading them on the railroad for sale generations ago.

Complimentary tours are available daily at H Clark Distillery. Learn more here.

Leiper’s Fork Distillery

Leiper’s Fork Distillery is honored to bring back a lost art and history to Williamson County – a county that has always put its history and heritage at the forefront. Because of this, Leiper’s Fork Distillery pledges to their distilling forefathers and patrons to pour their heart and soul into every drop of whiskey they make.

The Distillery has assembled a team of individuals who share a passion for the history and heritage of Tennessee whiskey. Typical of many small batch distilleries, Leiper’s Fork Distillery is family-owned and operated.

Tours are available daily at Leiper’s Fork Distillery and include a sampling of whiskey in their tasting room. Learn more here.