Having already profiled the area’s Rocky Top Wine Trail recently, you’d think we would have covered our tracks when it comes to the region’s wine offerings. Not so fast, said Eagle Springs Winery, which opened recently in Kodak, TN.
Eagle Spring’s motto: “Producing local wines from local vines!” is one many people can get behind as more and more businesses try to get more local. As for the winery itself, which is located just off Interstate 40 at Exit 407 – Gatlinburg, Sevierville, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Eagle Springs has goals of partnering with numerous vineyards in East Tennessee and using their grapes to make wine at their (119) West Dumplin Valley Rd location.
If Eagle Spring’s place looks familiar, you’re not far off. They operate in what was the Heritage Log Homes log cabin. For Eagle Springs it’s the perfect location for a winery – woodsy with a rustic feel complete with stone accents. It’s a great setting to sip some of their delicious wine. Eagle Springs offers a selection of such traditional wines as Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz as well as some hard to find varieties of honey wine.
“Looking at the other wineries in our area, we saw that no one was making wine from a honey base. That is when we decided to bring a fresh, new product to the market” said Don Collier, owner. “This twist on traditional wine is great for the new wine drinker as well as the wine connoisseur; the world has been making wine out of honey for well over 2,000 years.”
Wildfire, a strawberry-kiwi honey wine, and Nectar, a delicious blend of honey wine and mango, aptly describe Eagle Springs’ honey wines and happen to be the names of each too.
Anyone 21 years of age and older are welcome to come and sample Eagle Spring’s wine selection. You can also enjoy free samples of local cheese from Sweetwater Valley Farms and local fudge, which will be available on the weekends, to go along with our wines. It’s a great way to spend part of a day or weekend. Just drop by and the staff will be happy to assist you and get you some fine samples.
If you’re coming from Knoxville on your way to Asheville or the tri-cities, the winery can be seen on the hillside just off the interstate to the right. Right beside the Eagle Springs log cabin is an eagle -shaped sign that reads “WINERY” in large bold letters.