Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest

photo credit: (matt) via photopin cc

The Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest combines two of the state’s greatest assets into one amazing event; a charming town with rustic appeal and Tennessee’s finest wines. Gatlinburg is a favorite vacation destination for many travelers. Surrounded by the natural beauty of The Great Smoky Mountains, this town offers visitors several unique shops, dinner theaters, restaurants and museums. Each is touched by the Appalachian charm that has made this area so appealing to those of all ages. Their down home hospitality is accentuated by time honored traditions that keep visitors coming back year after year.

During the Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest, the town invites in a taste of Tennessee’s Wine Country. This beautiful state is home to 150 vineyards with 40 wineries scattered among them. Numerous award winning wines are produced throughout the region. The rolling hills that draw in tourists from all over are rich with fertile soil that is ideal for growing grapes. These grapes are perfect for continuing the ancient art of wine making. Although a tour of this scenic wine country is wonderful, it is hard to manage a stop at all of the top wineries for tastings. Gatlinburg’s Wine Fest brings them all to one location so that you can enjoy each one’s unique flavors.

The following are participating wineries:
•Amber Falls Winery
•Blue Slip Winery
•Beans Creek Winery
•Century Farms Winery
•Grinder’s Switch Winery
•Del Monaco Winery
•Key Springs Winery
•Sumner Crest Winery
•Reedy Creek Vineyards and Cellars
•Sugarland Cellars
•Tennessee Valley Winery
•Beachaven Winery
•Spout Spring Estates
•The Grape Barn at Nolichucky
•Mountain Valley Winery
•Stonhaus Winery
•Bootleggers Winery
•Eagle Springs Winery

The Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest is held at the Ripley’s Aquarium plaza on Saturday the twelfth of April. Starting at 1:00pm, it continues into the evening until 6:00pm. Guests are given the opportunity to sample some of the best Tennessee Wineries’ superb products. There are also dishes served from some of The Smoky Mountains’ most favored restaurants. When combined, the food and wine make for a relaxing and enjoyable evening in the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

The Gatlinburg Smoky Mountain Wine Fest is an adult only event. Those who are 21 or older will be given a wristband when they buy their ticket. They’ll also receive a branded wine glass. The wristband allows them to sample the many fine wines available at the fest. The wineries represented will be giving individuals one ounce samples poured one at a time.

Tickets are only $20, and this includes seminars on wine pouring, wine making, and how to pair the perfect wine with certain food selections. A combo ticket can be purchased that includes admission to the Wine, Dine, and Crawl that same weekend. With this event a private tour of restaurants, galleries, and wineries in the historic Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is followed by a sit down dinner in one of Gatlinburg’s most notable dining establishments.

During the Wine Fest, appetizers are served from many of the local eateries that pair nicely with the selection of wines available. This includes The Melting Pot, Hard Rock Café, Vista Grill at Park Vista, and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.

A portion of the proceeds of ticket sales will go to the Arrowmont School of the Arts and Crafts and the Gatlinburg Hospitality Association Scholarship Fund. The Arrowmont School was founded in 1912. It is located across from Ripley’s Aquarium, and it is highly recognized for being one of the top visual arts institutions.