For wine aficionados and just plain ole wine lovers, Sevierville and the Great Smoky Mountains area is becoming a wine enthusiasts haven of sorts with the number of specialty wineries that have opened in the area. Sevierville is home to two of these wineries with a third lying just down the road in Pigeon Forge. They make up what locals call the Rocky Top Wine Trail.
The first and newest, Hillside Winery (229 Collier Drive) in Sevierville, specializes in bubbly, Italian-style wines ranging from dry to sweet. A number of Hillside’s wines are made from grapes and various other locally grown fruits. The Hillside Spumante has become a favorite among many visitors. Of the Italian-style offerings, Hillside specializes in Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, as well as a number of other wine varieties. Guests can not only come and tour the facility, Hillside offers a tasting room so that you’re sure to pick the wine you enjoy the most before making your purchase.
Just a short jaunt down the parkway is the Apple Barn Winery at 220 Apple Valley Rd. Their wine is made in small batch form, thus giving customers a most unique product with each bottle. The Apple Barn Winery loves it when visitors come by and sample their wines. They also feature a gift shop full of unique items as well as wine accessories. The Apple Barn Winery especially encourages visitors to stop when their Port or seasonal wines are available. These are the carefully crafted small batch wines that only appear on certain special occasions. The Apple Barn tasting room is always open, just have the staff advise you on what special wines are available.
Of course, we couldn’t leave out Pigeon Forge’s Mountain Valley Winery. Since 1991, Mountain Valley (2174 Parkway) has specialized in French and German style wines. Located near the Titanic Museum, the Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge is Tennessee’s largest winery. Come sample any of their award-winning wine, take a tour and learn how they make they wine. Mountain Valley Winery makes their wine from locally grown grapes. Want to see some grapes being crushed before the wine gets bottled? Visit Mountain Valley anytime from September to October and take in the process firsthand. Visitors will also find a great gift shop Mountain Valley Winery where you can find Tennessee Farm Products. Come take home some of the best the Volunteer state has to offer.
Next time you’re in Sevierville, before you hike the Smokies, hike the Rocky Top Wine Trail and see what all the fuss is about. You definitely won’t go home thirsty, but you might leave with a better appreciation for local Smoky Mountain wine.