Sitting in the tasting room at Sassafras Springs Vineyard and Winery, I was reminded of somewhere I can’t quite place. People use phrases like déjà vu to describe such experiences, but I was inclined to take this a step further.
The term “the imaginal” was coined by philosophers of the twentieth century. The meaning of this term is a realm that exists somewhere between everyday life and the imagination. It’s accessible through imaginative lives and visible through the “eye of the heart.”
Some places remind us of others because of their imaginal quality. They invite people to enter and become immersed in experiences that go beyond the immediate senses. Imaginal spaces do this, taking us beyond the senses by moving us through them. We’re reminded of places we’ve been to before, or sometimes places that exist only in our minds.
Since starting in 2014, Sassafras has expanded from 13 acres of Houston Nutt’s old horse farm into 60 acres of preserved countryside. Cushioned between the rolling hills and natural springs are—in addition to the winery itself—patios, event spaces, wedding venues, and lodging facilities. Sassafras is host to a variety of occasions, from birthday parties and friendly catch-ups, to corporate events and wedding celebrations.
But above all, this started from the imagination of one Springdale native and her husband: Cheryl and Gene Long. Cheryl has lived in Northwest Arkansas for her entire life and has witnessed firsthand the ways in which it has developed over the years. Having been a Springdale cheerleader for five years in the 1970’s, she continues to cheer her city on.
Cheryl had always dreamt of owning a wedding venue; Gene, a winery. They had traveled far and wide, making it to many vineyards and idyllic spaces along the way. So, they decided to make one for themselves and their community back at home, bringing two ideas into one.
Successful careers as insurance executives gave them the stability and the spirit to get started. From then on, a shared imagination laid out the path before them. Together, they talked things over and drew up visions for what could be. In the meantime, dairy barns and horse stables were transformed into reception areas and wedding venues. What could’ve been now is.
Today, the deck is alive with conversation. People walk around the property. Children chase gentle water trickling down streams. Glasses clink for wedding anniversaries while just down below, vows are being shared for the first time. It’s an all encompassing space for all different walks and stages of life.
Another kind of harmony runs throughout the property. From the eaves of the trees, to the grass growing greener by the second, to the mixed-use spaces of wood and stone in between, a unity sits at the heart of it all. While each space has something unique to offer, a tender thread ties each of them together: family.
Though Gene and Cheryl remain involved behind the scenes, their kids have taken up the daily responsibilities. Drew Gorton, the general manager, has worked alongside his brother, Derek, and sister-in-law, Sarah, for years to manage day-to-day operations. As Derek manages outdoors, vineyard, and landscaping activities, his wife, Sarah, runs the events. A third brother, Denton, also helps regularly with operations and outdoor tasks.
“My mom and step-dad were the visionaries behind the business, 100%,” Drew said. “After graduating college, I was looking at financial planning, but I decided to come out here and see what was happening for a couple years instead.”
This was about two years after the winery had opened. At this point, their parents were looking at backing away from working at the vineyard full time. After seeing how well he and his siblings could balance on the barrels, Drew decided to stay onboard.
“It truly is a family affair,” Drew said. “We’ve all taken up our own parts and continue to run with them.”
Inevitably, wine is a crux for the vineyard business. Drew expressed their commitment to the highest quality at every level, and the siblings work together to achieve this. With their parents having set the example before them, they continue to source premium fruit from the West coast for popular varietals that don’t grow well locally. They do, however, grow their rosé on-site.
All of the crushing, pressing, fermenting, aging, and bottling is done on property, using real corks, heavy bottles, and premium labels (with the help of an automated bottling line shipped over from Italy). One of their goals for this year is to enter statewide distribution.
Wine-tastings are available every day by reservation. And with all of the sites, scenes, and products at hand, Sassafras has quickly formed a number of traditions. One of these traditions includes a Mother’s Day Brunch event.
But beyond that, everything that Sassafras has become relates back to Cheryl and Gene. They had an imagination, and they followed it. They had a vision and they brought it to life. To make this full circle, that is the imaginal space.
Human beings reach their greatest potential when living in this way. Through inspiration, innovation, and creation, people thrive. This happens not only because people are fulfilling their purpose, but also because they are inviting everyone else to join in.
Motherhood realizes that potential in a very special way. From playing house as children to living it, creation starts to go beyond the self and into the family. Imagination becomes more than a space you inhabit alone, turning into a shared space of creativity.
At Sassafras Springs Vineyard and Winery, like many of those special places we stumble upon from time to time, the imaginal space becomes complete in the eye of the beholder. From the imagination of Cheryl and Gene, we’re invited to see not just what lies before us, but the scenes that inspired them on the other side.
Whether it’s a view from the deck or the chapel ruins, something feels familiar. Somewhere between conversation and daydream, between a glass of wine and a slice of pizza, you feel like you’re in a million wonderful places just by this one.
Whether it’s a view from the deck or the chapel ruins, something feels familiar.