Bootleggers Homemade Wine

Small-batch, fruit-forward Appalachian wine made by two sisters who started from scratch — bottled by hand, poured in two tasting rooms, and free to walk into.

The style leans sweet and fruit-driven rather than European-dry, which is the Southern Appalachian winemaking tradition rather than a compromise. Tasting rooms in Gatlinburg and at The Island in Pigeon Forge, both open daily and both walk-in.

Staying nearby? See Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge cabin rentals.

The wines

The lineup is built on real fruit and time-tested recipes, with flavours rooted in the region rather than borrowed from California. A few worth knowing:

• Redneck Reserve — a Cabernet and Muscadine blend; semi-sweet red with an earthy muscadine finish
• Blackberry — opens tart, finishes sweet, and tastes like the fruit rather than an approximation of it
• Red Raspberry Moscato — dark and tart throughout, closer to fruit punch than to dessert wine. Good with cheesecake or dark chocolate
• Peach Moscato — light and sweet, built around ripe peach
• Blueberry Pie — rich and sweet with baked-fruit character; one of the most-ordered bottles
• Carnival Candy — cotton candy wine, and exactly as advertised
• Chocolate Fudge — a dessert wine that doesn't need explaining
• Pineapple Cider — tropical and light, for anyone who'd rather not drink sweet wine

The full lineup rotates seasonally. Bottles and cases are available in store, and online ordering ships to eligible states through bootleggerswine.com.

Tastings and visiting

Both rooms are relaxed and walk-in — no reservations, no booking, no admission fee. Staff pour you through the menu, explain what you're tasting, and help you land on something you'll actually want a bottle of.

It's deliberately low-key compared with the busier attractions on the strip, and that's most of the appeal. First-timers are welcome; this isn't an intimidating wine experience.

Must be 21+ to taste or purchase. Children are welcome inside.

Sippin' in the Smokies Wine Trail

Bootleggers is one of four stops on the Sippin' in the Smokies Wine Trail — a self-guided route through locally owned wineries across Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Pick up a passport at any participating location, collect a stamp at each stop, and earn rewards for finishing it.

Details for this one at bootleggerswine.com.

Locations and hours

Both locations open 365 days a year with no admission fee. Confirm current hours at bootleggerswine.com before a late visit.

Staying near The Island? See cabins near The Island.

Nearby

From the Gatlinburg location

• Ole Smoky Moonshine — The Holler — same address at 903 Parkway, which makes the two an obvious pairing
• Anakeesta — the gondola entrance is a short walk away
• Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies — minutes down the Parkway
• Gatlinburg SkyPark — home to the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America
• Tennessee Cider Company and Sugarlands Distilling Company — more of the same afternoon
• Downtown Gatlinburg — the full Parkway guide

From the Pigeon Forge location

• The Island in Pigeon Forge — the tasting room sits inside the complex, with the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel steps away
• Dollywood — minutes up the Parkway
• Pigeon Forge — everything else on that side

Frequently asked questions

Is there an admission fee?

No — both tasting rooms are free to enter. Tastings and bottles are paid separately.

Do I need a reservation?

No. Walk in any time during opening hours.

Is this the same as the Gatlinburg Wine Trail?

No. Sippin' in the Smokies is a four-stop trail spanning Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The Gatlinburg Wine Trail is a separate five-stop route within Gatlinburg. Each has its own passport, so check which one a location belongs to before you start.

Can I order online?

Yes, with shipping to eligible states. Order at bootleggerswine.com.

Are kids allowed inside?

Yes. Tasting and purchasing are 21+ with valid ID.

Which location is inside The Island?

The Pigeon Forge one, at 131 The Island Drive.

What if I don't like sweet wine?

Start with the Redneck Reserve, which is the driest thing on the list, or the Pineapple Cider. That said, the sweet, fruit-forward style is what this place does — if dry reds are the only thing you drink, the tasting may not convert you.