KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Fifty years ago, not much thought had been given to growing grapes and making wine in the southeastern United States even though many will argue the wine industry is 100 years older than California's. Today, wine enthusiasts are making their way to the Tennessee River Valley in search of flavors unique to the region using fruit locally grown and harvested. With a focus on sweet fruity flavors, wines of the Tennessee River Valley are winning awards and receiving recognition domestically and internationally.
"Vineyards and wineries are making a statement in the southeastern United States," said Julie Graham, spokesperson for the Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council. "These family owned and operated farms have built a reputation on creating handcrafted wines that matches Napa Valley. While most offer a sweet wine, there are other varieties offered to appeal to a wide range of wine drinkers."
Morris Vineyard and Winery is a family-owned and operated vineyard and winery offering a vast selection of fine wines for all tastes, all produced and bottled on location. To add to the experience, Morris Vineyard is also one of the few vineyards that still offer pick-your-own fruit.
After a day of white water rafting, drop by the tasting room and sample the popular red muscadine wine and other locally made cheeses, jams, jellies, beef jerky, elk salami and more at the Ocoee Winery.
Tsali Notch Vineyard specializes in Muscadine grapes. Located in Madisonville, Tenn., it is the largest commercial vineyard in Tennessee and the property boasts sweeping views of the mountains within the Cherokee National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Wine enthusiasts have 26 different wines to choose from at Paris Winery. Owners Ruggero and Lisa Ciarrocchi laid the foundation for the 100-acre working family farm in April 2008. They originally discovered the rolling hillsides that would become acres of grapevines while fleeing the hurricanes in Florida.
Housed in a repurposed old school house, Watauga Lake Winery is located in the "Appalachian High Country" viticultural area, a designated wine-growing region that has distinct topography, climate and soil types. The wine made from the grapes grown in an American Viticultural Area is unique from anywhere else in the country.
Goodwater Vineyards and Winery is a family owned and operated vineyard and winery located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Guests can choose from several activities, including sipping samples at the tasting bar, enjoying the wine on a picnic on the island at Goodwater Pond or taking a walking tour of the winery and grounds.
Apple Barn Winery, located on the banks of the Little Pigeon River in the Apple Barn Village in Sevierville, offers a unique twist on wine. They handcraft the wine right on their grounds from local and regionally grown apples instead of grapes. Their specialty wines are mostly apple based including Apple Raspberry, Apple Strawberry and Apple Peach.
Hillside Winery specializes in Italian style and lightly carbonated wines. Knowledgeable tour guides give educational and family friendly tours daily where visitors can learn about the winemaking process.
Alabama's first producers of vitis vinifera wine grapes, Jules J. Berta Vineyards and Winery is located atop Sand Mountain in northeastern Alabama. The first vines were planted in 1987 and today four generations of the Jules J. Berta family are involved, serving a variety of white and red wines as well as muscadine wines, fruit wines and dessert wines.
Maraella Estate Farm Vineyards and Winery is located in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachia Mountains in Hokes Bluff, Ala. Its flagship wine Cabernet Sauvignon, handcrafted and estate grown and bottled, has won several awards from Alabama to California. Wine tastings are offered Monday through Saturday.
Wills Creek Vineyards and Winery is nestled in the peashell hills of Duck Springs Valley in Attalla, Ala. with views of the Appalachian Mountains and Duck Springs nature preserve and pond. Its artisan, vineyard-centric wines include muscadine from the vineyard, locally grown fruit wines like blueberry and strawberry, and there are flavored grape wines as well as red and white vinifera grape wines. The wine tasting room is open daily and winemaking classes are offered on the first Saturday of each month.
The Georgia Winery and Vineyards were the pioneers in bringing the farm wine industry to Georgia. Their blends incorporate the flavors of local fruits and some very special seasonal blends using mulling spices. Guests can enjoy complimentary wine tasting at the tasting bar and winery tours are offered every Saturday.
Crane Creek Vineyards sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. Guests are welcome to sample the wines produced from grapes grown on the property and a variety of intimate events are offered throughout the year.
Hightower Creek Vineyards is a small, family-operated winery located in scenic North Georgia surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be sure to check out the wines named after the movie Deliverance, which was filmed not far from the winery.
For more information on vineyards and wineries or to discover additional things to see and experience in the Tennessee River Valley, visit http://www.exploreTRV.com. All listings have been nominated by local people who know the region best and offer visitors the most unique, fun and interesting experiences.
SOURCE Tennessee River Valley Stewardship Council
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