Top Rated Wine and Shine Walking Tour

Gatlinburg’s Wine and Shine Walking Tour is less a quiet tasting lesson and more a lively evening crawl through the town’s moonshine and wine scene. You’ll sample everything from 35-proof cream drinks to 135-proof shine straight from the still, then finish with a cocktail and another tasting flight.

I like the small group limit of 12, which gives guides such as Jenn room to keep people together and answer questions. I also like the practical perks: tastings are included, the group gets front-of-line access at some stops, and a wagon with water can help carry purchases. The main caution is simple: this is a lot of alcohol, and the walking plus long periods on your feet can wear you down.

Key points to know before you book

• Three Gatlinburg stops: Visit Tennessee Shine Company, Little Bear Winery, and Sugarlands Distilling Company in one evening.
• A serious tasting load: Wine, moonshine, a special cocktail, and multiple flights are included in the $51 price.
• Small-group format: The maximum is 12 people, with guides such as Jenn keeping the evening moving.
• Walking is part of the plan: Expect at least 0.7 miles of moderate walking and up to three hours standing.
• Eat before arriving: The samples are generous, and the alcohol adds up quickly.
• Best for adults 21 and older: This is a drinking-focused outing, not a family activity.

What the 5 p.m. Gatlinburg walk is really like

The tour begins at 520 Parkway at 5 p.m. and returns to that same meeting point. At roughly three and a half hours, it takes up most of the evening, so plan dinner around it rather than trying to squeeze in another major activity afterward.

The group size matters here. With no more than 12 people, your guide can keep the walk social without losing everyone in the crowd. Jenn receives especially warm praise for keeping groups moving, helping people connect, and looking after anyone who needs extra care. Mike is also mentioned as part of a particularly enjoyable evening.

This is not a formal lecture with long speeches at every stop. The guides set the pace, explain the local moonshine culture, and get you from one tasting room to the next. Once you arrive, the staff at each business handles much of the pouring and presentation.

That division of duties is useful, but it also explains the tour’s character. You’re paying for a hosted route, access, group energy, and included samples more than for a detailed production seminar. If your main goal is to taste several drinks without waiting in line, the format works well. If you want a technical lesson on fermentation, barrels, and distilling, you may want more time at each stop.

Tennessee Shine Company: start with sweet cream and strong shine

The first stop is Tennessee Shine Company in Gatlinburg, where the tasting range runs from a 35-proof cream-based drink to 135-proof moonshine described as coming straight off the still. That span gives you a quick lesson in how different moonshine can taste and feel.

The cream-based options are likely to be the easiest starting point for people who do not usually drink spirits. Flavored moonshines can also be friendly for beginners, while the higher-proof pours are a very different matter. You do not need to like straight liquor to enjoy this stop, but you do need to pace yourself.

Wild Bill receives repeated praise for making the Tennessee Shine tasting entertaining. A Bloody Mary mix paired with jalapeño moonshine is a particularly useful tip if you like savory drinks and heat. The tasting staff may offer several cocktails or flavored combinations, so ask questions before accepting every pour. You can always choose to sip slowly or pass on a sample.

This stop also has practical value for shoppers. The tour provides discounts at each location for purchases, according to the tour details, and the guide may help carry bottles and other purchases in a wagon. That is a small touch, but it matters when you are walking through downtown with glass bottles in hand.

One concern is the pace. The tasting can feel fast if you want to study each flavor. Treat it as an introduction, not a private tasting session. Take notes on the bottles you like, and save your buying decisions for the end of the pour.

Little Bear Winery: a softer middle stop

After a short walk, the group heads to Little Bear Winery for a VIP-style tasting of several wines. This gives the evening a needed change of pace after the high-proof opening stop.

The wine portion is often the favorite part for people who prefer fruit-forward or sweeter pours. One useful warning is that dry-wine drinkers may find some wines in this part of Tennessee sweeter than expected. If you normally order dry reds or crisp whites, ask the staff to point you toward the closest match rather than assuming every sample will suit your taste.

The winery is also where the experience feels least like a standard bar crawl. You get a chance to compare different wine styles and reset your palate before returning to spirits. I like that balance. A tour made up only of moonshine stops would become repetitive, especially for anyone who is new to strong alcohol.

The route can be affected by operating arrangements at the businesses, so confirm that all three planned stops are running as expected if the winery is a major reason you are booking. The advertised experience includes Little Bear Winery, but a stop change would affect the value for someone who specifically wants wine.

Keep in mind that a VIP tasting does not mean private service for just your party. The tour group is capped at 12, and other people may be present at the business. The advantage is the organized group access and the guide’s help, not complete privacy.

Sugarlands Distilling Company: the evening’s main finish

The final stop is Sugarlands Distilling Company, where the tour includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a working distillery. This is the most educational part of the route because you get to see more of the operation rather than simply receiving a line of flavored samples.

The distillery visit is led by staff familiar with the production process, and the stop includes moonshine cocktails before the final flight tasting. Peyton and Trey are among the staff members praised for making the tasting lively and efficient.

Sugarlands is also where the pace can feel quickest. A tasting flight, cocktail, and behind-the-scenes visit in one stop is a lot to fit into 90 minutes. Some people will enjoy the steady movement. Others will wish they had more time to finish a drink, ask questions, or browse before the group moves on.

I would pay close attention to the guide’s instructions here. If you want to compare flavors, do not feel pressured to finish every sample. You can take small sips, drink water, and focus on the styles that interest you. The final stop is generous, but generosity is not the same as a requirement to drink every drop.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. It is worth arranging your evening so you do not need to rush away immediately after the last tasting. The official duration is approximate, and the pace may vary with group size and service at the stops.

Is $51 a fair price for the tastings?

At $51 per person, this tour sits in a reasonable range for an evening built around several alcohol tastings. The ticket includes tastings at all three locations and a special moonshine cocktail. You also receive a hosted route, small-group organization, and front-of-line access where available.

You can walk into Gatlinburg tasting rooms on your own, so the key question is not access alone. It is convenience and structure. On your own, you choose your stops and control the pace. On this tour, you avoid planning, follow a set route, and have someone keep the group moving.

The value improves if you plan to buy bottles. Discounts at the tasting locations can help offset part of the ticket cost, though the amount of any discount is not specified. The wagon for purchases is another useful detail, especially if you do not want to carry bottles through the rest of downtown.

The value drops if you dislike sweet wine, do not care about moonshine culture, or prefer to linger over one drink. It also drops if one of the planned stops changes and the replacement does not match your interests. For a person who wants a broad sampling in one evening, $51 is easier to justify than for someone who only wants a single tasting flight.

Tips and gratuities are not included. Bring money for the guide and tasting staff if you feel they provided good service.

Eat first, then pace yourself

The most practical advice is to eat before the 5 p.m. start. The samples are plentiful, and several drinks may be stronger than their sweet flavors suggest. A full meal beforehand will not make you immune to alcohol, but it will make the evening more comfortable.

Water matters, too. Jenn has been noted for bringing water along in the wagon, but you should still treat hydration as your responsibility. Alternate water with samples, especially before the 135-proof pour and the final stop at Sugarlands.

Do not drive after the tour. Arrange a safe ride or stay close enough to walk back to your accommodation. The information provided does not include transportation to or from the meeting point, so you need to plan that part yourself.

You should also expect to stand for up to three hours and walk at a moderate pace for at least 0.7 miles. Comfortable shoes are more important than stylish ones. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people who can manage the walking and standing can take part.

The activity is not recommended for anyone traveling with people under 21. All participants need to be prepared for an adult drinking environment.

What the high rating tells you, and what it does not

The tour carries a 4.9 rating from 438 reviews, with 98 percent recommending it. The strongest pattern is clear: people praise the guides, the friendly tasting staff, the generous pours, and the social atmosphere.

Jenn gets particular credit for keeping a group of 12 on schedule while still making the evening feel personal. Wild Bill at Tennessee Shine Company and staff at Sugarlands also receive praise for turning tastings into entertainment rather than simple sample service.

The praise does not mean every part will suit every person. Some people find the route too focused on drinking and not focused enough on how moonshine is made. Others find the tastings too fast or feel that they could visit the same businesses independently for less effort.

That criticism is fair. This is a hosted tasting walk, not a full spirits course. The guide’s role is to coordinate the evening, provide context, keep the group together, and add a social layer. The pourers at the businesses handle much of the detailed tasting presentation.

A good way to think about it is this: you are buying an organized night out with a built-in group, not simply buying alcohol. If that sounds useful, the tour has real value. If you are comfortable planning your own tasting route, you may prefer to go independently.

Book this tour if you want a social tasting night

I would recommend the tour to adults who want to sample a wide range of Tennessee moonshine and wine without planning every stop. It is especially suited to couples, small friend groups, and people who enjoy meeting others over drinks. The limited group size and strong guide feedback make it more personal than a large bus outing.

Book it if you like flavored spirits, sweet wines, cocktails, and a lively pace. Eat first, wear walking shoes, bring water, and plan a safe way home.

Skip it if you want a quiet, technical distillery lesson, only drink dry wine, or dislike standing and walking. You can also skip it if your main goal is simply to taste at one or two businesses, since Gatlinburg allows you to visit tasting rooms independently.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size can lead to a rescheduled date, another experience, or a full refund. Otherwise, plan carefully before committing.

FAQ

How much does the Wine and Shine Walking Tour cost?

The tour costs $51 per person. Tastings at each location and a special moonshine cocktail are included. Tips and gratuities are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes. The planned schedule includes one hour at Tennessee Shine Company, one hour at Little Bear Winery, and 90 minutes at Sugarlands Distilling Company.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at 520 Parkway, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738, at 5 p.m. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned route includes Tennessee Shine Company in Gatlinburg, Little Bear Winery, and Sugarlands Distilling Company.

Are all tastings included in the ticket?

Yes. The ticket includes alcoholic tastings at every scheduled stop, plus a special moonshine cocktail.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 12 travelers.

Do I need to walk far?

You should be able to walk at a moderate pace for at least 0.7 miles. The route also involves standing for periods of up to three hours.

Is the tour suitable for people under 21?

No. The activity is not recommended for people traveling with anyone under 21 years old. It is an adult alcohol-focused experience.

Can I cancel for a refund?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.