The Gierach Family | The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards
For the Gierach family, there is one event on the calendar inked in red and circled for emphasis: Nana Camp. It’s the one time of year the entire Gierach clan comes together at the family compound they’ve built at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards.
“We have a very large family, so it’s become a nice gathering spot,” said Kelly Gierach, the matriarch of the tribe. “There are twenty-three of us! When we’re all together for Nana Camp, it’s chaos.” That kind of joyful chaos comes with logistical challenges, especially when it’s time to eat. “When I call the restaurant for a reservation, I have to explain that it’s not an event. I’m just feeding my family! The club is great about accommodating all of us.”
Dinner aside, Keowee Vineyards has something for everyone.
“The house is very large, and we have a huge bunk room,” said Kelly. “We’re right on the sixth hole, and we have two docks for the pontoon boat and the wakeboard boat, so the boys all go fishing or skiing.”
Kelly and her husband, David, discovered the area when their son was attending Furman University. “One time, after a visit, we were headed to The Biltmore Estate and came across The Cliffs Valley. We thought it looked like a really nice neighborhood,” said Kelly.
They soon returned to scout The Cliffs for their family’s new retreat. “We stayed down in Six Mile a few times and started getting interested in Keowee Vineyards. We loved the way it was surrounded by forests,” said Kelly. “With the kids, it just made sense between the lake, the golf, and the horseback riding. It worked out phenomenally.”
At Keowee Vineyards, the Gierachs didn’t just find a place for their family. They found a place that became a part of the family. “We love this community,” says Kelly. “It’s nice to keep the family close, and this is how you do it.”
This story was featured in Cliffs Living magazine. To see more stories like this one and learn more about The Cliffs, subscribe here.
