When jewelry designer Brent Neale Winston released her Alice’s Picnic collection a few years ago, its rhodochrosite radishes, chrysoprase sweet peas, and carnelian carrots caught the eye of the proprietor of Blackberry Farm, a luxury mountain resort in eastern Tennessee. Mary Celeste Beall, who sits at the helm of the family-run Relais & Châteaux property alongside her late husband’s parents, had already been a fan of the New York–based jewelry designer’s work for years, says Jessica Galyon, Blackberry Farm’s director of retail. But she and her team were equally drawn to Winston’s “whimsical and original” aesthetic, and eager to pursue a partnership on a possible project.
Set against the majesty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blackberry Farm encompasses more than 4,000 acres of farmland and verdant hiking trails. It is known for its celebrated culinary program and fly-fishing excursions, as well as opportunities to encounter wildlife, from the resident turkeys to black bears in nearby forests.
With the resort celebrating its 50th anniversary, the timing seemed ripe for commissioning a set of jewels that would mark the milestone while offering guests “something special they may not be able to find elsewhere,” Galyon says. “We love connecting our guests with a story and working with brands that value quality and hospitality the same way we do.”
There wasn’t much to discuss in terms of a concept, especially with Alice’s Picnic as a touchstone. The obvious choice was the right one: a plump little blackberry, rendered as a pendant (pictured at top) in carved black onyx and a pair of stud earrings in black diamonds, both crowned with emerald stems. “They completely let us run with it creatively,” Winston says.
The collaboration speaks to a growing convergence of fine jewelry, luxury hospitality, and experiential travel, as hotels and resorts increasingly find ways to dazzle guests with elevated, unusual experiences, along with something sparkly to take home as a remembrance. Recent examples range from diamond-themed facials and cocktails (Martin Katz x Nobu Ryokan Malibu) to accommodations and diamond collars for canine guests (D Diamond x Baccarat Hotel) and private in-suite shopping sessions (Sotheby’s x Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park).
Product collaborations are a recurring theme in jewelry retail because they can introduce brands to new and complementary consumer segments. Sydney Evan, for example, has created pieces for the Wequassett Inn on Cape Cod, and Chopard did these fun watches with the Eden Rock resort on St. Barts.
The Brent Neale pieces for Blackberry Farm offer guests a quieter, more personal interpretation of the trend: precious mementos that distill the character of a destination into wearable reminders of their mountain escape.
It may be a far cry from Winston’s new Manhattan showroom, but “I think we have a lot of synergy and client overlap,” she says. “I’ve had friends get married there, and we just had a client of ours propose there. It’s such a special spot that takes such wonderful care of its clients and treats them with the utmost hospitality.
“They curate a beautiful experience for the clients—everything about the place is top-notch. So, to me, creating a special piece just for them made total sense.”
Adds Galyon: “While our setting may be different from a more traditional luxury hotel, we find that our guests still appreciate beautiful, special things that feel meaningful and connected to their experience.” A quick perusal of Blackberry Farm’s 2026 catalog reinforces the idea, with offerings that reflect the region’s natural beauty and the resort’s gracious traditions: Currant-scented candles, jade-handled knives, cashmere blankets, and Bernardaud porcelain chargers are just a few examples.
The Brent Neale blackberries fit in nicely, Galyon says. “We have a pretty extensive retail experience for our guests, where we try to reflect all of our favorite things that are used on the property, as well as Beall family favorites. Our team members are excited to share the stories behind each special collection or item and why it is there. And our guests love being able to bring a piece of that experience home with them.”
Top: Fresh pick: Brent Neale’s pendant, $8,950, plucked its inspiration from the designer’s Alice’s Picnic collection and was created exclusively for Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tenn.
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