The New Gatlinburg Winery Trail is Now Accepting Passports

Many people have been asking about the closings of a few wineries in town, but a couple new ones have sprouted. And now, a new winery trail has been birthed in the wake of these changes. The Gatlinburg Winery Trail is now the new way to sample some of the finest wines here in Sevier County. The best part of the whole deal? You can walk to 4 out of the 5 wineries on the trail. I’m going to tell you a bit about what they are and what they have to offer for fans of the alcoholic grape beverage.

Before I detail the stops on the trail, you can buy your pass online for just $10, gaining you VIP access to each winery, meaning you’re basically getting tastings for free at 3 of them. An extended VIP tasting is normally an upcharge of $5 beyond just a few samples you would get for free to start—individually a total value of $25, saving you $15. See! I highly recommend getting your pass before your visit to save some of your hard-earned vacation cash. And NOW, here are the 5!

Tennessee Cider Co./Tennessee Homemade Wines at Tanger Outlet Mall

The first is a joint location, and together are probably the most popular ones on the Gatlinburg Winery Trail. Between the two are staggering 40+ offerings to choose from, so these could be extremely tough decisions. This is the only location not in Gatlinburg.

Where: Tanger Outlets, 1645 Parkway, Ste 950, Sevierville, TN

Tennessee Cider Co.

Billed as Gatlinburg’s original cider house, Tennessee Cider Co. opened its doors as an extension of the Mountain Mall in 2019. They are also the first of now several cider places that call Gatlinburg home. A VIP tasting here gives you free reign to all the hard ciders on tap, plus their honey mango mead and blackberry dessert wine. The slushies are an amazing treat, especially during these hot Tennessee summers.

Where: 611 Parkway, Suite B6, Gatlinburg, TN

Facebook: Tennessee Cider Co.

Website: https://www.tncidercompany.com/

Smokin’ Banjo

This is the newest business opening of the lot, occupying the space of the former Little Bear Winery. Not only do they have wines, but they add the bubbly in their sparkling varieties. They also offer a small selection of ciders as well, but I just want to add their Cotton Candy wine, which, in my opinion, is the best of any you can find from the competition in Gatlinburg, so check that out!

Where: 631 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Facebook: Smokin’ Banjo Wine Company

Website: https://www.smokinbanjo.com/

Tennessee Homemade Wines

If you like your wines sweet, you won’t find a better place than Tennessee Homemade Wines. Gatlinburg is no stranger to satisfying millions of sweet teeth every year, so why not add another to the list. I credit this business for blazing a trail for others to succeed. They may not have been the first, but THW showed up prior to the explosion of wineries and cideries in the 2010s, opening in 2014.

Where: 643 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Facebook: Tennessee Homemade Wines

Website: https://www.tnhomemadewines.com/

Old Mountain Wine Company

Opening just a few weeks prior to Smokin’ Banjo was Old Mountain Wine Company, which took over the building that housed Sugarland Wine Cellars for years. The similarities don’t end there, though; the winemaker from SWC is crafting wines here now. The Muscadine wines are fantastic, but they also have different meads made from honey you’re sure to love. Get yourself a slushie, too. They are also very refreshing and amazing! Personally, this is my highlight of the trail.

Where: 1133 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Facebook: Old Mountain Wine Company

Website: https://www.oldmountainwine.com/

You can begin the Gatlinburg Winery Trail at any of these locations. The only catch is you have 7 days from the first winery visit to get all your punches from every 5. The end result is a special prize! I wouldn’t recommend you do them all in one day, but if you have at least a 3-5 day vacation planned, and, of course, you love your wines, purchase your VIP pass here. Cheers!

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