Mountain Valley Winery in Pigeon Forge is one of several stops offering free tastings and some intriguing libations on the Rocky Top Wine Trail. (Other stops include the Hillside, Apple Barn, Little Bear, and Mill Bridge wineries, plus the Apple Barn Cider House.)
Established in 1991, Mountain Valley is one of the longest-running wineries in Tennessee. Along with French and German styles, it also specializes in sweet fruit wines. Those include the Mountain Muscadine, fermented from the South’s classic native grape. The vegan-friendly vino here has garnered more than 1,000 medals and awards.
Some of the wines, such as the Mountain Valley Red, the Mountain Valley White, and the Mountain Muscadine, are available all year round. Others—including the extravagantly sweet Red Velvet—are seasonal offerings. The variety means there’s a good chance you’ll find at least something sensationally sippable, whatever your palate.
The tasting room offers free tastings seven days a week. Each day from noon to 5 PM, meanwhile, you can take tours of the wine-making facilities: an interesting behind-the-scenes peek. (In September and October, you might luck out with front-row seats to the Mountain Valley Winery’s grape-crushing operations.)
Besides nibbling cheese and trying some of the French, German, or fruit wines at Mountain Valley, you can also give one of the wine slushies a try. They’re not for everybody, perhaps, but quite refreshing if your tastes run that way. There’s outdoor seating, by the way.
All ages are welcome at the winery, though of course only those 21 and older with a valid photo I.D. can sample and buy wine. Besides samples and wines by the glass, you can also stock up on some Mountain Valley bottles—maybe for a Smoky Mountain picnic!
Here are a few of the wines at Mountain Valley Winery especially worth seeking out:
Mountain Berry Wine
Made from a blend of Concord grapes and raspberry, Mountain Berry Wine is one of the top sweet wines at Mountain Valley Winery.
Strawberry Rhubarb
This citrusy sweet wine makes the perfect drink for a lazy summer afternoon nestled amid the foothills of the Great Smokies!
Winterfest Red
Available during the holiday season, Winterfest Red is Mountain Valley Winery’s tasty take on a mulled spice wine: just the thing for feeling a bit festive!
Wine may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of the Great Smoky Mountains, but Mountain Valley Winery and the other stops along the Rocky Top Wine Trail prove there’s some great grape to enjoy during your visit. Take advantage of a free tasting!
Insider Tip:
Mountain Valley Winery doesn’t take reservations for large groups coming to the tasting room, but you can absolutely call to give the place a heads-up and find out how busy things are. Even when the tasting room’s slammed, though, you rarely have to wait more than 15 minutes to find a place up at the counter.