The Virginian and Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards in Bristol, Virginia is pleased to welcome Stephen McLean as the new general manager. McLean began his new position on November 1st and will oversee the continued growth and development of both properties. A 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, McLean has a diverse background, including working at several world-class five-star hotels, resorts, private social clubs, as well as residential golf communities, and real estate projects.
McLean grew up in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia where he was introduced to the hospitality industry at the famed Greenbrier Hotel and Resort. It was there that McLean experienced southern hospitality and an environment that instilled service excellence. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles and positions at properties such as the Boca Raton Hotel and Club, the Breakers Hotel, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and Mar-a-Lago. Most recently McLean served as the general manager of the Shenandoah Lodge and Athletic Club in the Shenandoah Valley of Northern Virginia.
McLean attributes his success to his passion for people, membership engagement, affecting positive change, and building cohesive teams committed to excellence, respect, passion, and cooperation while enjoying the work they do and the team members they work with.
“We are extremely pleased to have found Stephen, who is perfectly suited and so well-versed in both hospitality and residential golf communities to lead us as we enter the next phase of growth, creating a world-class destination at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, and enhancing the incredible golf and lifestyle experience at The Virginian,” said Kevin Nicewonder, Managing Member of The Nicewonder Group on behalf of the Nicewonder family.
“I am so very excited to be a part of a place with a commitment to family, community, and excellence, and honored to be chosen as general manager as we embark upon historic growth of these wonderful properties,” said McLean.
McLean enjoys the outdoors, and while not at work, he will be spending time with his family riding their horses, walking their four dogs, hiking, and perfecting his chip shot. He is a self-proclaimed cook and sommelier, with a passion for the sauté side of the kitchen and the dark richness of a cabernet.
For more information on The Virginian, visit www.TheVirginian.com or call 276-645-6950.
About The Virginian Community
The Virginian has been rated as the third-best private golf community in America by the Robb Report magazine, has been honored by Pinnacle Living/Mountain Homes magazine as the “Most Beautiful Planned Community” for 2006, called “one of America’s Premier Properties” by Links magazine and “one of the 50 Best Places to Live in America” by GOLF Magazine. The Virginian offers a range of custom homes, cottages, and home sites. Homes are carefully sited to preserve the character of the land and to maintain the natural landscape and panoramic golf course views.
About Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards
Established in 2013, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards is the second development on the property by the Nicewonder family in Bristol, Virginia, and situated adjacently to its sister property, the award-winning Virginian Golf Club. At its inception, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards consisted of 125 acres of pristine farmland, and six acres of Viognier, Chardonnay, and Merlot grapevines. Today, the farm has grown to 450 acres, and the vineyards have grown to 12 acres, by adding grapevines to the existing varieties and planting new Petit Verdot grapevines. The farm has gardens supplying produce to Taste and The Virginian’s three restaurants, as well as livestock consisting of chickens and cattle.
Taste, Wood-Fired Kitchen, is the first restaurant concept on the property from acclaimed Chef Travis Milton serving Appalachian-inspired fare in an open-air restaurant boasting spectacular views. As the first of a multi-phase development aimed at creating the premier luxury lifestyle destination in the region, this summer guest were welcomed to stay in one of the nine luxury yurts, nestled in the woods on the property, with the finest appointments. Coming in early 2022, The Inn at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, a 28 room luxury boutique inn, will open. It will be complete with grand event space to entertain 350+ guests, Hickory, Chef Travis Milton’s signature restaurant, and an infinity pool overlooking the lake and vineyards. Soon after, The Spa & Fitness Center will launch, affording guests the finest in food, wine, and wellness.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon® is the world’s largest golf management company providing services at 590-plus locations around the globe, including managing 640-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 610-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. With properties located in 45-plus states and 30-plus countries, Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Honours Golf, OB Sports, Indigo Golf Partners, CADDIEMASTER, True Club Solutions, Cliff Drysdale Tennis and RealFood Hospitality, Strategy and Design. Troon-affiliated properties include Indian Wells Golf Resort in Indian Wells, California; Yas Links Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; The Club at Savannah Harbor in Savannah, Georgia; and Lake of Isles in North Stonington, Connecticut. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com, or connect with Troon on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Troon Chronicles, Press Room, or subscribe to Troon Magazine.
