Pigeon Forge Wineries

Exploring the Rocky Top Wine Trail

The mountains and valleys that surround Pigeon Forge create excellent scenery and provide a picturesque backdrop for enjoying local wine. The Rocky Top Wine Trail features four wineries and a cidery, offering more than 70 different wines to sample. While each winery has a variety of selections, sweet and fruit wines are particularly popular in this area, with limited dry wine options. Grab a "passport" at the first venue if you plan to visit several wineries, and collect a stamp at each location. Once you have stamps from all five locations, you'll receive a free gift. Additionally, tagging your photos with #RTWT on social media enters you for a chance to win additional prizes. Read on for more details about what each winery has to offer. At each venue, you receive a complimentary tasting of four wines; additional tastings may incur a fee.

Hillside Winery

Located about 5 miles north of the town center, Hillside Winery is the northernmost stop on the trail. Specializing in Italian-style wines, some notable offerings include sangiovese, barbera, and pinot grigio. A unique traveler favorite is the black and blue wine, which blends blackberries and blueberries. Hillside Winery features outdoor seating and wine slushies. Recent visitors have praised the welcoming and knowledgeable staff. Hillside Winery operates from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. For further details, visit their website.

Mountain Valley Winery

About a mile down the road from Apple Barn Winery, Mountain Valley Winery is situated along the West Prong Little Pigeon River. Known for its sweet, fruit wines, it also offers classics like chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. Specialties include watermelon, rhubarb, peach, and raspberry wines, and a unique red velvet cake wine. Visitors can enjoy cheese trays, wine slushies, and pet-friendly outdoor seating. The staff is known for being fun and helpful with recommendations. The winery’s tour of the winemaking area is another highlight. Mountain Valley Winery is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Check their website for more information.

Apple Barn Winery

Approximately 2 miles south of Hillside Winery, Apple Barn Winery offers a unique tasting experience with wines made from locally grown apples. Options include apple blush, apple-raspberry, apple-strawberry, and apple-peach wines. Recent visitors have found these wines suitable for those who are sensitive to traditional grape-based wines. They also appreciated the on-site gift shop and friendly staff. Adjacent to this location are the Apple Barn Cider House and Apple Barn Dessert Wine Shoppe—the fourth and fifth stops on the trail. Apple Barn Winery is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Visit their website for additional details.

Additional Information

Rocky Top Wine Trail also offers VIP tours, including visits to select wineries. These tours include a guide, premium tastings, a cheese tray, and shuttle transportation. For more information, visit the Rocky Top Wine Trail website.