Sipping My Way Through the Gatlinburg Wine Trail

If you’re looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon in Gatlinburg, let me introduce you to the Gatlinburg Wine Trail—a five-stop tour of local wineries (and one cider house) where you can sip, stroll, and, if you make it through all five, walk away with a free t-shirt.

For just $10, you get five tastings—which is a heck of a deal, considering a single tasting usually runs about $7. Even better, four of the stops are right in downtown Gatlinburg, meaning you can sample all day without ever needing to get behind the wheel.

I recently took on the challenge myself, knocking out four locations in town on a beautiful sunny day, then finishing up at the last stop the next day in Sevierville. Here’s how it all went down.

Stop 1: Smokin’ Banjo – A Sweet Start

📍 Address: 631 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
🌐 Website: Smokin’ Banjo

My first stop was Smokin’ Banjo, a newer addition to the Gatlinburg wine scene. The tasting room had a laid-back, rustic charm, and behind the counter was a friendly young woman who was all smiles and super nice—exactly the kind of person you want pouring your first samples of the day.

The first sip? Smooth, sweet, and easy-drinking. It set the tone for what would be a fantastic day of tastings. Full disclosure: I didn’t really taste much that I didn’t like on the wine trail. Every one of these wineries has some truly tasty options. So I’m not going to spend a whole lot of time trying to describe individual flavors. You just need to do it and taste for yourself! Anway, with my first passport stamp secured, I stepped back outside, the sun shining bright, ready for my next stop—which was right next door.

Stop 2: Tennessee Homemade Wines – Sweet Southern Hospitality

📍 Address: 643 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
🌐 Website: Tennessee Homemade Wines

If Smokin’ Banjo was the new kid on the block, Tennessee Homemade Wines was the seasoned pro. This place has been a Gatlinburg staple for years, and for good reason—their wines taste like they were made by someone’s sweet Southern grandma, using nothing but fresh fruit and a whole lot of love.

The guy behind the counter was a young man who, as it turned out, was on his first day on the job. You could tell he was a little nervous, but he did a great job walking me through the different wines and making sure I had a good experience.

The blackberry wine was a standout—sweet, bold, and bursting with flavor. After a few sips and some friendly conversation, I grabbed my second stamp and took a nice leisurely walk down the strip to my third stop.

Stop 3: Old Mountain Wine Company – A Familiar Face

📍 Address: 1133 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
🌐 Website: Old Mountain Wine Company

A little farther down the Parkway sits Old Mountain Wine Company, a spot with a great view of the Smokies and a solid lineup of wines.

I walked in, and to my surprise, the girl behind the counter was someone I already knew—Elaina, a tall, cool bartender who I knew from Jason Aldean’s Kitchen and Rooftop Bar. We had a quick laugh and hug about running into each other here, and she got straight to pouring.

Old Mountain has a mix of wines, meads, and ciders. Every sip of wine was smooth, and the friendly conversation made it even better. The mead was also quite interesting and tasted great! Elaina’s the kind of person who can make any situation fun, and that energy added to the experience.

With my third stamp in the book, I stepped outside, feeling pretty great about life (or was it the wine kicking in?). Either way, three stops down, one to go for the day.

Stop 4: Tennessee Cider Company – A Different Vibe

📍 Address: 611 Parkway, Suite B6, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
🌐 Website: Tennessee Cider Company

For my last stop of the day, I headed over to Tennessee Cider Company, located inside the Mountain Mall.

The guy doing the pouring here was a bearded dude who was a little gruff—not unfriendly, just not as chatty as the others. He kept it straightforward, letting the cider do the talking, and honestly, that worked just fine.

Tennessee Cider specializes in hard ciders, and after a few rounds of sweet wine, the crisp, tart flavors were a nice change of pace. I got my final stamp for the day and stepped outside, mission almost complete.

One stop remained, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.

Day 2: The Last Stop & The T-Shirt Victory

📍 Address: 1645 Parkway, Suite 950, Sevierville, TN 37862
🌐 Website: Tennessee Homemade Wines & Tennessee Cider Company

The next day, I hit the road for Sevierville, where the final location awaited inside the Tanger Outlet Mall. This spot is unique because it houses both Tennessee Cider Company and Tennessee Homemade Wines under one roof.

My final pour came from a young country guy who was nice and did a good job of walking me through the offerings. I went with a mix of cider and wine tastings, savoring the last few sips of the journey.

And then, it was time. I handed over my fully stamped passport, and in return, I got the prize—a fresh Gatlinburg Wine Trail t-shirt.

It’s a good-looking shirt, too. Simple, but a solid reminder of the good time I had making my way through the trail. I will wear it with pride!

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. For just $10, you get five tastings, meet some cool people, and walk away with a t-shirt—that’s tough to beat. Plus, if you’re staying at Edgewater Hotel, it’s even better. Four out of the five locations are within walking distance, so you can enjoy the trail without worrying about driving.

The Gatlinburg Wine Trail is a perfect activity for anyone who loves wine, cider, or just a fun, budget-friendly way to explore downtown Gatlinburg. If you’re up for a little adventure, grab a passport, sip your way through town, and see if you can earn that t-shirt.

Trust me—you’ll enjoy every step (and every sip) of the way.