Gatlinburg Wineries

Wine tasting in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg's wineries pour sweet muscadine, blackberry, and fruit wines that taste nothing like a typical California tasting list, which is half the fun. Most tastings are free or close to it, most tasting rooms sit right on the Parkway, and two passport trails make it easy to turn a few tastings into an afternoon.

The Gatlinburg Wine Trail

The Gatlinburg Wine Trail is a self-guided tasting route created in 2019, with five stops: four in Gatlinburg and one in Sevierville. Start at any stop, ask for a wine trail passport, and get it stamped at each winery you visit. You'll pick up gifts along the way as you work through the trail. There's no set order and no deadline, so you can finish in an afternoon or spread it over your whole trip.

Stops include Old Mountain Wine Company, Tennessee Homemade Wines, and Tennessee Cider Company. See the full, current list of stops at gatlinburgwinetrail.com.

Prefer not to drive? Some local tour companies offer guided wine trail tours with a shuttle between stops.

The Rocky Top Wine Trail

The Rocky Top Wine Trail is a second passport trail with five stops spread across Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville, including Hillside Winery, Mountain Valley Winery, and the Apple Barn's winery, hard cider, and dessert wine shops. Tastings at each stop are free, and you'll get a souvenir for completing the trail. It pairs well with a day on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge or a visit to the Apple Barn in Sevierville.

What you'll taste

Tennessee wineries lean sweet and fruit-forward. Expect muscadine, blackberry, peach, and other fruit wines, plus some drier reds, sparkling wines, and specialty pours like cotton candy wine at Gatlinburg Wine Cellar. Bootlegger's Homemade Wine makes small-batch Appalachian-style wines, and Smokin Banjo Wine Company pours sparkling wines and ciders. Many tasting rooms also sell slushies, a favorite on hot summer days.

Tips for a wine day in Gatlinburg

Bring an ID — tastings are for guests 21 and older.

Plan a ride — walk between downtown tasting rooms, ride the Gatlinburg Trolley, or book a driver for stops outside town.

Eat along the way — break up the tastings with a meal from our list of Gatlinburg restaurants.

Ship it home — many wineries ship to eligible states, so you don't have to pack bottles.

More local drinks

Gatlinburg's tasting scene goes beyond wine. Sample moonshine at the Gatlinburg distilleries, try local beer at the Gatlinburg breweries, or visit Tennessee Stud Cider Co. for more hard cider. See our guide to hard cider in the Smoky Mountains, too.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Gatlinburg Wine Trail?

A self-guided tasting route with five stops, four in Gatlinburg and one in Sevierville. Pick up a passport at your first stop and get it stamped at each winery.

Are wine tastings free in Gatlinburg?

Many tasting rooms offer free tastings, and some offer premium tastings for a small fee.

Is there more than one wine trail?

Yes. The Gatlinburg Wine Trail and the Rocky Top Wine Trail each have five stops, with passports and gifts for completing them.

What kind of wine do Gatlinburg wineries make?

Mostly sweet, fruit-forward wines like muscadine and blackberry, along with some drier reds and sparkling wines.

Can I have wine shipped home?

Many wineries ship to eligible states. Ask at the tasting room.