Wine Tasting The Great Smoky Mountains

“Age and glasses of wine should never be counted.” ~ Italian proverb

Overview

Just below The Great Smoky Mountains' Douglas Lake, heading south on Highway 321, elevation 1076’, a wine valley lies amidst some of the most beautiful and historical areas on the Eastern Seaboard. In 1973, those Great Smoky Mountain Region residents petitioned to create Tennessee's Viticultural and Oenological Society (TVOS). Some are growing Riesling's and Muscadine, while others are making Rose. Tennessee is home to over 80 wineries statewide, broken up into three regions and two AVAs bordering the state on two vastly different corners.

Two American Viticulture Areas (AVAs) In The Great Smoky Mountains

Today, vintners are aging and bottling dry white to Cabernets and know all too well about the risks of Botrytis. With its heavy rain and subtropical weather patterns, a rain shadow of sorts. Wineries are popping up all over Tennessee, ready to try their hand at making some of the most delicious late-harvest riesling. There are applications submitted for creating two new AVAs; proposing the establishment of The Upper Cumberland Viticultural Area and The Lakes of Eastern Tennessee. These proposals mean that the wineries have the opportunity to identify their harvest with distinguishing features: Geology, Soils, Topography, and Climate. The regions offer wines from 87 wineries and vineyards, over 4.9M acres. Varietals include hybrids - Muscadine, Concord, Norton, Chambourcin, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Marechal Foch, Catawba, Cayuga, Merlot, and Niagara; the vineyards are in elevations between 1100-2000 feet. Other AVAs that should be noted are The Appalachian High Country AVA and The Mississippi Delta AVA, all sharing borders with other states.

Six Wineries To Visit In Eastern Tennessee

Apple Barn Winery - located at 220 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville, TN 37862, producing 19 wines, ranging from Muscadine to Merlot. They are open seven days a week for tasting.

Cades Cove Cellars - located at 7126 E Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, TN 37882, growing Vidal Blanc and Red Zinfandel, Cades Cove Cellars winemaker is making full-bodied red wines holding up to beef, chocolate, and Italian food.

Little Bear Winery - located at 631 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738-3230, growing Pinot Grigio, Muscadine, and Merlot are just a few wines produced at Little Bear.

Mill Bridge Winery - Mill Bridge Winery 3331 S River Rd, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, the winemaker produces diverse wines, from Blush to a Red Table Wine.

Mountain Valley Vineyards - 2174 Parkway Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, growing Chardonnay, Cabernet, & Petit Verdot for starters. Producing over 20 wines on-site, they are open seven days a week.

Sugarland Cellars - 1133 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738, producing Concord Grape and Blueberry wines, a 2020 Rose, and a Riesling blend.