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smoky mountain winefestAre you looking for your next spring getaway?

If you enjoy the mountains, great food, and wine, then we have the perfect place for you.

The annual Smoky Mountain Winefest takes place each spring. Year after year, it delivers visitors a unique wine tasting experience and culinary adventure.

Keep reading to find out why you need to book your trip here.

Smoky Mountain Winefest 101

The wineries of the Tennessee Smoky Mountain region come together in one place each year. Every spring, the town Gatlinburg hosts the Smoky Mountain Winefest.

If you’re a wine and outdoor aficionado, this is where both dreams come true. The fest takes place every year in the Spring.  This year, the event kicks off Friday, April 30, 2021 with the Gatlinburg Wine Tour.  Registration starts at 5 p.m. and the tour begins at 6.

The Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest kicks off on Saturday, May 1 at 1 p.m.  at Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts and ends at 6 p.m. These rules are placed by the Tennessee Wineries Association, who monitors and organizes this highly successful event. But don’t worry, during those five-hours, there will be plenty to do.

Visitors typically sample 1 oz of wine from each of the many vendors. They also have the choice to purchase full-bottles of wine to take home.

They also get to sample staple dishes from the best restaurants in the Smoky Mountain region. And if you’re interested in learning more about wine, talk to the best sommeliers who will do some wine and food pairings.

Visitors must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event.

A VIP experience is offered in addition to regular admission.  This entails a VIP hospitality room, early entry to the venue, exclusive sampling opportunities, and more!

The ticket gets you a wristband that allows you to sample the wine and you get a wine glass as well. Tickets typically go on sale early in the spring.  You can buy your ticket or VIP ticket on the Gatlinburg.com.

The Smoky Mountains

Swinging Bridge quiet walkwayOn June 15, 1934, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established. The first park east of the Rocky Mountains, this national park was the first national park on the east coast.

Visitors can access the park through the entrances along US 441 Highway. This is the most visited national park in the U.S. because visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, waterfalls, and other activities.

They get their name due to the always present fog that graces the mornings and rainy afternoons. The Smoky Mountains sit on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina.

The mountain region is also known for its rich Appalachian mountain preserved culture. More than 11 million people visit the Great Smoky Mountains every single year!

The Town of Gatlinburg

The town of Gatlinburg is popular due to its proximity to the Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg is only 39 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee.

This mountainside town is anything but quiet. It might have only a population of 3,944 residents, but it gets over 11 million visitors each year.

Visitors go to Gatlinburg when they want to experience a variety of outdoor activities. The activities are geared towards families and adults alike.

If you’re a fan of ziplining, river tubing, horseback riding, or hiking then Gatlinburg should be on your bucket list!

Families love to visit this town due to all of the family-friendly activities it has to offer. Children enjoy the aquarium, mini-golf, museums, and many more.

The Wineries

In past years, many wineries have participated in this event. Some of the vendors include:

Apple Barn Winery: Apple barn isn’t your typical winery. They are located in the Little Pigeon River region and are famous for their apple wine.  Apple Barn Winery is located just down the road from Gatlinburg. The apples grow on the grounds of the winery.

Sumner Crest Winery: This winery was born from the dream of two brothers. Ever since their wine has been the recipient of 19 national and international medals.

Cades Cove Cellars: Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in the town of Townsend, their wine reflects the rusticness and authenticity of the area.

Amber Falls Winery: A family-owned winery, Amber Falls prides itself on producing award-winning wines. Try their bold reds or their fruity selections.

These wineries aren’t the only participants. Previous wineries include Mill Bridge Winery, Mountain Valley Winery, Beans Creek Winery, Spout Springs Estates Winery, Sugarland Cellars, and many others.

Gatlinburg Food Scene

The dining room at Park GrilleGatlinburg is surrounded by staple restaurants in the region. Enjoy the many pancake houses, fresh off-the-grill food and more. These are some of the visitors’ favorite eats:

Best Italian: This restaurant is famous for their mouth-watering garlic rolls! But the rolls are not the only thing they do well, try their hand tossed pizza, homemade sauces and lasagna.

The Park Grill: No Gatlinburg dining experience would be complete without having a juicy steak. Make sure you don’t forget to take advantage of their salad bar.

Pancake Pantry: Because every vacation deserves amazing breakfast, why not go to the place that has over 24 varieties of pancakes.

Smoky Mountain Brewery & Restaurant: If you want to sample beer after your wine indulgence, then why not a local brewery. Enjoy many in-house crafted beers and a wide selection of food.

The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

If you’re looking for more activities to do in between activities during the Smoky Mountain Winefest, explore the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community Loop.

This region’s arts and craft’s community is rich in history. The 8-mile stretch is home to the largest group of independent artisans in North America. It designated a Tennessee Heritage Arts & Crafts Trail.

The region’s artisans have everything from quilts, stained glass, ceramics, pottery, baskets, dolls, and many others.  This is a great place to find a unique souvenir!

Ready to Plan Your Visit?

The Smoky Mountain Winefest is the crowd-pleaser of the region. Visitors enjoy sampling the from Tennesse’s best wineries.

There’s also plenty to do in the area aside from the winefest. Enjoy the outdoor activities in the town of Gatlinburg.

Are you planning your visit to the Smoky Mountains soon? Visit us for more tips and information.

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