Located in the heart of town, Gatlinburg Winery (Gatlinburg Wine Cellar) has a bit of everything. A generous selection, free samples, and warm, welcoming service make Gatlinburg Winery a natural stop whether you’re visiting the national park or knocking out all the stops on the Gatlinburg Wine Trail.
Though you’ll find a wide variety of wines here, the favorites that rise to the leaderboards always seem to be sweet wines. Cotton candy is a favorite: a very sweet wine with a burst of unexpected flavor at every sip. Of course, you’ll also find the local Southern standards: muscadine, peach, and berry wines, among others, as well as a variety of dry offerings. Call ahead if you’d like to take a tour of the winery during your visit, and you’ll be rewarded with an enjoyable walk and talk with one of the experienced vintners on staff.
When you step in for a tasting, expect friendly service and all the information you want about each bottle you’re considering. The people who work at the winery really seem to enjoy their jobs, and they bring a passion for good wine to the bar each time they step up. Though the storefront is small, Gatlinburg Winery offers a broad range of options. Each guest can sample three wines for free, with additional tastings available for a reasonable fee–more than worth it, we’ve found, in order to really explore a variety of the winery’s offerings.
If you fall in love with the wines during a tasting, you might consider signing up for Gatlinburg Winery’s wine club. You can choose from a monthly or quarterly option to have your favorite selections shipped right to your front door–at discounted rates.
Gatlinburg Winery is located on the main drag in downtown Gatlinburg, so of course, it’s steeped in atmosphere and surrounded by some of Tennessee’s best restaurants and pubs. It’s also a conveniently located stop after a day of exploring the area, or a great first stop along the Gatlinburg Wine Trail before venturing further off the beaten path to visit more rural wineries.
Insider Tips:
– Not a huge fan of wine? Don’t be afraid to mention that when you walk in. The servers will match you up with wine options that have been known to entice even the most unwilling wine drinkers.
-Gatlinburg Winery is open somewhat late, but they’ve been known to discourage latecomers from lingering. Try to plan your stop for 30-40 minutes before closing so you can take the time to fully enjoy the process.
– Want to try a truly unique wine while you’re in town? Ask for the acai wine. You won’t find it at other local wineries, and it’s bursting with flavor.