Top 6 Wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains With Free Tastings

Although it may not be as well-known as Northern California’s Wine Country, the Great Smoky Mountain area is a wonderful destination for anyone who enjoys a nice glass of red, white, or rosé. Gatlinburg, TN and the surrounding cities are home to an incredible collection of wineries that offer free tastings for visitors to enjoy! While there are plenty to choose from, we wanted to share some of our favorites with you to guarantee you don't miss the best stops while you're in town. Take a look at our guide to the top wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains with free tastings:

1. Sugarland Cellars

Sugarland Cellars is another one of the best wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. All of the wines at Sugarland Cellars have a fascinating story about the history of the Smokies printed on their label. For instance, the Century Red (1802) wine tells the story of the Ogle family, who built the first log cabin in Gatlinburg.

2. Tennessee Homemade Wines

If you're searching for the best sweet wine in the Smoky Mountains, you can find it at Tennessee Homemade Wines. This winery has two locations, one in Gatlinburg and one in Sevierville. Both locations offer free tastings of their Southern sweet wines. All of the wines are produced locally in their winery, bringing ingredients from the hills of the Smokies straight to your glasses. Enjoy flavors you won't find anywhere else, from their Apple Orchard and Passion Fruit to their Mountain Chocolate and Cotton Clouds. Once you visit you'll realize why it's at the top of our list of wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains!

3. Mountain Valley Vineyards

Mountain Valley Vineyards has been a can’t-miss destination in the Smokies since 1991. This excellent winery specializes in French and German-style wines and also features a superb selection of sweet fruit wines, such as muscadine. Mountain Valley is a great place to learn about the winemaking process, as guests can see the barrel room, where the wines are matured, and the bottling operation. If you visit during the fall, you might even see locally grown grapes being crushed at the winery!

4. Apple Barn Winery

As you may have guessed by its name, the Apple Barn Winery is famous for its apple-based wines. Located in the Apple Barn Village, this winery makes its wines from the apples grown in the orchard next door. Some of the most popular varieties sold at the Apple Barn Winery include the Orchard White, Apple-Raspberry, Apple-Peach, and the Apple-Pomegranate.

5. Hillside Winery

If you’re a fan of Italian-style and sparkling wines, you’ll love Hillside Winery. Visitors to Hillside will find spectacular Pinot Grigio, Sangria, Sauvignon Blanc, and Raspberry Blush. This winery gets 80% of its fruit from Tennessee farmers, mostly from within a hundred miles of Sevier County. In an average year, Hillside presses nearly 1.4 million pounds of grapes!

6. Mill Bridge Winery

Mill Bridge Winery is situated steps away from The Old Mill, a historic gristmill in the Smokies that has been grinding grain into flour for over 187 years. The winery boasts a lovely patio where guests can enjoy a glass of wine on the banks of the Little Pigeon River. In addition to its fantastic wines, Mill Bridge Winery also offers local cheeses, imported cheeses, salami, jams, and other tasty foods.

More Wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains

These are just some of the many great wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains! Other popular choices are the Gatlinburg Winery, Little Bear Winery, Bootleggers Homemade Wine, and Currahee Vineyards. We recommend trying the Rocky Top Wine Trail or Gatlinburg Wine Trail for a free tasting tour at select wineries throughout the area.

When you stay at the our Gatlinburg hotel, you will be near all of these phenomenal wineries in Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains. Located right on River Road, our hotel is just minutes away from all of the fun in town and the spectacular scenery in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. To start planning your getaway, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!