Find Your Holiday Tradition at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve

The holiday season has a way of drawing people together. At Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, that feeling comes naturally. Families gather at the Farmhouse. Friends meet for dinner at Wilder. Guests come together around the table, on the trails, and in the quiet winter landscape.

Whether you’re planning a weekend retreat, a multigenerational stay, or a New Year’s celebration, Windy Hill offers a luxurious yet deeply welcoming setting to begin (or continue) your holiday traditions.

This season, explore suggested itineraries, seasonal dining, and on-property experiences that make time here meaningful.

Weekend Escape

Weekends at Windy Hill offer an inviting place for families and groups to gather and enjoy unhurried time together. The Farmhouse provides comfortable shared space for up to six guests, making it easy to settle in, enjoy slow mornings over coffee, and spend an afternoon on the porch with a deck of cards and good conversation. Larger parties or those seeking a bit more privacy may also enjoy our Water Tower Cabins or The Lodge, each offering thoughtful accommodations within easy reach of the property’s experiences.

Days unfold at a relaxed pace. Guests may take part in activities like soapmaking, exploring the River Bluff Trail, or simply wandering the property and taking in the season. Meals at Wilder become a natural centerpiece, where thoughtfully prepared, seasonal dishes are enjoyed around the table. Evenings often end by the fire with s’mores before everyone returns to their accommodations.

Guests leave feeling restored, having shared simple moments that linger long after the weekend comes to a close.

Discover All-Inclusive Lodging


New Year’s Eve at Windy Hill

New Year’s Eve at Windy Hill is designed to be a thoughtful tradition that welcomes friends, families, and couples alike.

Guests settle into their rooms before gathering for the evening’s festivities. Progressive dining in the Watchhouse encourages movement, conversation, and time together. Chef-curated stations highlight the winter season and set the tone for the night.

Live music carries guests toward a toast shared at midnight, marking the year ahead surrounded by the people who matter most. For those who wish, the night continues at Wilder with intimate acoustic music and a warm close to the celebration.

New Year’s Day begins with quiet intention. A guided meditation invites reflection before a seasonal brunch welcomes guests to gather around the table once more. The afternoon offers open time — perhaps a friendly Five Stand competition, a walk along the river, or simply settling into stillness before journeying home.

Limited reservations are available. Booking early is encouraged.


Dining at Wilder

Wilder celebrates local foodways and the people behind them — a natural setting for families and friends to share a table.

The restaurant honors the history of the Wilder Coal Camp along the Clinch River in the Virginia mountains, the birthplace of our founder, Big George. Today, his story continues through a menu rooted in resourcefulness and respect for community.

We proudly partner with River View Farms, Race Family Farmstead, Cruze Farms, Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Ham and Bacon, Sixteen Peeks, and Bake That Dough. Their stewardship helps bring a true sense of place to each plate.

Highlights

Smoked Pork Belly
Sunchoke, roasted mushroom, and sherry create a balanced, winter-forward dish that feels both comforting and refined.

Charred Venison
Prepared with elderberry, Yukon potato, and pine nut — a thoughtful expression of seasonal game and regional flavor.

Discover our menus and reserve your table.


On-Property Activities

Whether spending the weekend with family, reconnecting with friends, or sharing time with someone special, these seasonal experiences help shape the rhythm of your stay.

Birding

Guided by Samuel Quinn and Carra Simpson, guests explore the property in search of native species, learning to identify birds by sight and call. It’s a favorite for families and groups, offering time together in a quiet corner of the landscape.

Rest and Reconnect

A gentle wellness offering that blends restorative yoga with simple meditation. It’s a peaceful way to slow down together and shift into a balanced state of mind.

Discover more activities during your stay.


A Place to Gather

Whether you come for a weekend or settle in for a full week, Windy Hill is a destination shaped around time together. Families, couples, and groups find space to gather, connect, and celebrate the season in a way that feels natural and unrushed.

Accommodations throughout the property welcome every type of stay. The Farmhouse offers room for families or small groups to spread out and enjoy shared living spaces, while The Lodge provides a comfortable retreat for couples or friends traveling together. For those seeking privacy, the Water Tower Cabins offer quiet corners tucked into the landscape while still keeping guests close to the heart of the property.

Dining at Wilder brings everyone back around the table. Seasonal menus, inspired by regional ingredients and thoughtful partnerships, create an experience that feels both familiar and special. Sharing a meal becomes a simple ritual that anchors the day.

Upland hunting offers a tradition of its own. Professional guides lead guests across restored fields, making space for shared time outdoors. Parents, grandparents, and friends often experience the hunt together, creating stories that carry beyond the weekend.

Throughout the season, the calendar offers moments to pause and enjoy the property. Cooking demonstrations, garden tours, live music, and hands-on workshops give shape to the days, while ample time remains for hiking, birding, or simply relaxing by the fire.

Here, tradition is not scripted. It forms naturally in the conversations over a long meal, the quiet of a morning walk, or an afternoon spent alongside the people you came with.


Start Your Tradition

Whether it’s booking the Farmhouse each year, gathering around the table at Wilder, returning for a winter hunt, or greeting the new year together, Windy Hill offers an inviting place to make this season your own.

We look forward to welcoming you and the people you hold close.