While the Smoky Mountains may be famous for moonshine, there are quite a few spectacular wineries in the area. If you’re in town for a couple’s escape or a getaway with your friends, trying some of the local wines can be a lot of fun! Best of all, the wineries in Sevier County offer tastings that are completely free! Here are the top wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains:
1. Tennessee Homemade Wines
With locations in both downtown Gatlinburg and Sevierville, Tennessee Homemade Wines is one of the most visited wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. This hugely popular local winery uses a hundred-year-old family recipe to produce a variety of wines. Tennessee Homemade Wines specializes in Southern sweet wines made from locally grown fruits and berries. Some of the most buzzed-about wines at this winery include the White Muscadine, Proper Peach, and Great Niagara.
2. Smoky Mountain Winery
Smoky Mountain Winery is the oldest of the wineries in Gatlinburg and all of East Tennessee! Over the decades, this legendary winery has won hundreds of regional, national, and even international awards. Guests at Smoky mountain Winery will find more than 20 wines to choose from, including Raspberry, Peach, and Muscadine. When you visit Winery Square, we suggest also walking over to Smoky Mountain Farms Jelly House, which offers free samples of numerous jams, preserves, and butters.
3. Hillside Winery
At Hillside Winery, the focus is on Italian style and sparkling wines. Around 80% of the fruit for Hillside’s wines comes from Tennessee farms, mostly within a hundred miles of the Smoky Mountains. This is the largest wine-making facility in the Smoky Mountains! This winery near Pigeon Forge offers fun tours of its facility where guests can check out the champagne tanks and learn all about the winemaking process.
4. Bootleggers Homemade Wine
Another one of the best wineries in Gatlinburg is Bootleggers Homemade Wine . Founded by two sisters, this winery makes their Appalachian wines the old-fashioned way, without any special machines or high-tech equipment. These delicious small-batch wines come in a number of unique varieties, including Strawberry, Redneck Reserve Dessert Wine, and White Table Wine. Bootleggers also has a shop at The Island in Pigeon Forge.
5. Mountain Valley Winery
Mountain Valley Winery is located in Pigeon Forge along the main Parkway. As one of the oldest wineries in Tennessee, this winery specializes in French and German style wines. Some of the vintages at Mountain Valley are made from grapes that are grown at an East Tennessee vineyard near the Smokies. In addition to free tastings, this Pigeon Forge winery also offers great tours where you can see the barrel room, watch the wines being bottled, and chat with the winemakers.
6. Old Mountain Wine Company
One of the wineries in Gatlinburg that offers more traditional wines inspired byTennessee roots is Old Mountain Wine Company. They craft their wines with farmed fruits and bottle them right at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains. Their sweet wines pay homage to the farmers and mountain folk who built this region through hard work. Popular wines at Old Mountain Wine Company include Elderberry Honey Wine, Watermelon Wine, and Muscat Wine.
7. Mill Bridge Hard Cider Company
Mill Bridge Hard Cider Company is located just steps away from The Old Mill, one of the most iconic destinations in the Smoky Mountains. This Pigeon Forge cidery offers a great selection of hard ciders with fun and unique flavors. You can enjoy free tastings, cider by the glass, cider flights, cider slushies in summer, and heated mulling-spiced cider in winter. Guests at Mill Bridge can enjoy their cider on the scenic patio along with their dogs, overlooking the Little Pigeon River.
8. Smokin’ Banjo
Smokin’ Banjo is one of the most unique wineries in Gatlinburg. This winery is located on the Gatlinburg Strip and provides a playful and unconventional take on wines and ciders. Considering themselves the “rebel of the rollin’ hills of Tennessee,” Smokin’ Banjo specializes in wines that push boundaries with exciting flavors. Some of their popular options include Raspberry Sparkling Wine, Dreamsicle Wine, and Sweet Heat Cider.
9. Apple Barn Winery
Located just steps away from the famous Apple Barn Cider Mill & General Store, the Apple Barn Winery is well known for its apple-based wines. This is one of the most unique wineries near Pigeon Forge TN! All of the apples for the wine are grown onsite at the Apple Barn’s very own orchard. Some of the most popular wines at the Apple Barn Winery include the Apple-Raspberry, Apple-Pomegranate, and Apple-Peach.
10. Gatlinburg Winery
Gatlinburg Winery has two locations in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg at the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains. This local winery carefully crafts a variety of red, white, and blush wines that encompass the beauty and hospitality of the Smoky Mountains area. Their signature wine is Cotton Candy, which they have been serving since 2017. Other popular flavors include Mountain Laurel, Barely Blushing, and Mountaingria.
About Rocky Top and Gatlinburg Wine Trails
Since so many wineries have come to the Smokies, there are now two wine trails you can be a part of. The Rocky Top Wine Trail includes wineries in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville. Then, there is the Gatlinburg Wine Trail with stops in Gatlinburg and Sevierville. You can visit all the wineries along the trails and get your special wine “passport” stamped at each stop. When you’re finished, you’ll receive a free gift!
Where to Stay When You Visit a Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge Winery
When you stay at our Smoky Mountain cabin rentals, you will be just a short drive from all of these amazing wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. With everything from 1 bedroom cabins to large group cabins, we are guaranteed to have the perfect accommodations for your vacation. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of cabins in Gatlinburg!
