If you have ever spent a day chasing waterfalls in the Bankhead, driving around Smith Lake, or wandering into a small town just to see what is there, you already understand the kind of magic Winston County can hold. Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected stop to turn a good day trip into a real North Alabama memory.
That is exactly what Sipsey Vineyard and Winery feels like.
In this episode of Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama, I sat down with Bart Crabtree, co founder of Sipsey Vineyard and Winery, a handcrafted, community driven winery inspired by the beauty of the Sipsey Wilderness and the traditions of our region.
From public health to wine and why it makes sense
Bart’s path into winemaking is anything but typical. He came into it after years in public health and military service, then found himself spending more and more time at a friend’s winery and realizing he loved the environment and the people.
There is a line he shared that stuck with me, because it captures the whole vibe. Wine people are happy people, and if not at first, eventually.
And then there is the science side, which is where Bart lights up. He was trained in microbiology, so the chemistry and balancing of wine is not intimidating to him, it is exciting. His wife calls him a mad scientist, and he embraces it, with a grin.
Why Sipsey is Sipsey
Sipsey is not just a name. It is a whole sense of place.
Bart described growing up in eastern Kentucky and later feeling at home in Winston County because of the similarities. National forest. A big lake. That pull toward the woods. He talked about how drawn he has always been to the forest, even as a teenager working with the Forest Service and building trails.
That love for the forest shows up in what they do and what they believe, all the way down to the name Sipsey, rooted in the Sipsey Wilderness and the Sipsey River.
He also shared how he ended up in this part of Alabama in the first place. He met his wife, a Cullman native, and over time Cullman County became home. But as he explored closer to Winston County, Double Springs started to feel more and more comfortable, like a place with real opportunity and a story worth investing in.
People are coming to Double Springs from everywhere
One of my favorite moments was the guest book story. Bart said they started keeping a guest book at the tasting bar, and it surprised them just how far people travel to visit. Canada, Germany, Japan, and so many places in between.
It is a reminder that people are already flowing through this region because of the Bankhead, the waterfalls, and the scenery. Sometimes locals assume it is only a small handful of travelers passing through, but the reality is much bigger.
And yes, we absolutely take our green trees and lush terrain for granted until someone from out west says, Where are all the trees where I live?
Every bottle has a story
Bart told me that with every bottle they produce, they want a story that reflects the environment, the community, and the culture.
That is why they have a wine called Big Tree, inspired by the massive tulip poplar in the Sipsey Wilderness area that takes multiple grown adults to reach around.
They also have a blackberry blueberry wine called Free State, a nod to the Free State of Winston County story during the Civil War. Bart explained that many residents did not want to leave the Union, and more than anything they wanted to be left alone.
Then we shifted into Cullman history, which is fascinating. Bart talked about the area’s German heritage and the early wine industry ties, including Colonel Cullmann and the Cullman Wine Company.
And one of my favorite examples of how Sipsey honors these stories is their Strawberry Queen wine, which connects to the Alabama Strawberry Festival and features a historical nod through the label story they chose to tell.
Small batch, hands on, and intentionally approachable
When Bart describes their winemaking, the phrase that fits best is hands on. They hand bottle and label, and people are usually surprised by how much direct contact there is with the product in a small operation like theirs.
But it is not just the production. It is also the tasting room experience.
Bart made a point to say he is not a sommelier, and Sipsey is not trying to be a place where you feel like you have to know the rules. Their approach is experimentation. Come in, try a few wines, figure out what you like, and feel comfortable doing it.
They will sell you a glass, of course, but their heart is tasting, discovery, and helping you find a bottle you want to take home and come back for.
And the “community” part is real. Bart described repeat visitors turning into friendships, swapping stories, and building a place that feels connected instead of distant.
The happy scientist moment that says it all
Bart told a story that perfectly captures the spirit of Sipsey. He created a tropical blend once and thought it was terrible, so he refused to sell it and let it sit for a year. Then he brought it back out, expecting laughs, and everyone loved it.
His takeaway was simple and honestly freeing. It is not about what he thinks people should like. It is about letting people taste, explore, and decide for themselves.
That same playful experimentation shows up in their ciders too, with guests mixing flavors and discovering combinations they never expected to love.
Listen to the Full Conversation
To hear Bart’s full story, search for Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama and find the episode featuring Bart Crabtree of Sipsey Vineyard and Winery. In the full conversation, you will hear more about the history behind the labels, what community means to Sipsey, how tasting flights work, and why Bart calls himself the happy scientist.
