A moonshine and wine walk beats the usual bar crawl. This 3.5-hour small-group tour in Gatlinburg pairs tastings at three standout stops, from Tennessee Shine Company’s proof-led flights to Little Bear Winery’s VIP-style wine sampling. I especially like that your ticket bundles all alcohol tastings plus a special moonshine cocktail, so you can focus on the fun instead of counting dollars. The one tradeoff is pacing: it is a lot of tastings in a short window, so you’ll want to eat first and move at a steady, comfortable pace.

You’ll meet at 520 Parkway and head out at 5:00 pm on an easy walking route designed for most people who can handle about 0.7 miles at a moderate pace and standing for up to 3 hours. If you’re bringing the group energy, this tour is built for it, with a guide who keeps things moving and lets you ask questions along the way. If you prefer a slow, sit-down dinner-style evening, plan on doing a little adjusting in your expectations.

Key highlights to know before you go

• All tastings are included at every stop, plus a special moonshine cocktail.
• Small groups, up to 12 people, with time to chat instead of feeling rushed.
• Three major stops in one outing, Tennessee Shine Company, Little Bear Winery, and Sugarlands Distilling Company.
• A behind-the-scenes working distillery moment at Sugarlands, not just a storefront visit.
• Front-of-line convenience that can help when tasting lines are long.
• A practical walking plan, with a moderate-distance route and staff support like water help noted by recent guests.

Why This Gatlinburg Wine and Moonshine Walk Works

Gatlinburg has plenty of places to taste moonshine and wine on your own. What makes this tour feel like better value is that it turns a scattered strip of options into a tight, timed experience with a host who knows how to keep it fun and moving.

You get alcohol tastings at three different types of producers, not just one theme repeated. One stop focuses on moonshine with multiple proof levels and flavor styles. Another stop is a winery experience, which matters if you want balance and variety on the same night. And then Sugarlands brings in the working distillery angle, plus a flight tasting to close strong.

I also like that it is not only about drinking. The tour is set up to teach you about moonshine culture, and the guide helps you connect the dots between flavors, proof strength, and how this all fits into the region’s identity. It gives context without turning the evening into a lecture.

The vibe, based on repeat mentions from recent guests, is lively but manageable. People rave about the guide energy, especially guides like Jen or Jenn, and about bartenders who pour with personality at multiple stops. You’re still in charge of how much you drink, but the structure keeps the night from turning chaotic.

Your 5:00 pm Route: Tennessee Shine Company, Little Bear Winery, and Sugarlands

This is a three-stop route that runs about 3 hours 30 minutes. You start at 520 Parkway in Gatlinburg at 5:00 pm, then walk between locations. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

The biggest practical thing to remember: you are tasting through the evening, not pausing for long meals or extended tours. You’ll want to arrive ready to sample, ask a question or two, and pace yourself.

Stop 1: Tennessee Shine Company in Gatlinburg

Your first stop is Tennessee Shine Company, where the tasting is built around a wide proof and style range. The lineup is described from 35 proof cream-based flavors up to 135 proof off the still moonshine. That spread is a big deal because it immediately shows the difference between smooth, approachable styles and the real high-proof stuff.

This is also where you’ll likely start feeling the night’s rhythm. Early on, your guide and the bartenders help you compare flavors, which makes later tastings easier to understand. If you’re not sure what you like yet, this stop is a solid foundation because you can move from sweeter or cream-based options toward stronger profiles.

One practical tip shows up again and again in guest feedback: come with food in your stomach. The same people who call the tasting plentiful also emphasize that you should not show up empty. If you want the experience to stay fun instead of fuzzy, eat beforehand.

Stop 2: Little Bear Winery for a VIP-style wine sampling

After a short walk, the tour shifts gears to Little Bear Winery. This is where the evening balances out. Instead of proof-led moonshine comparisons, you get a true winery-style tasting setup with a VIP feel and samples of many types of wine.

This stop is a good choice for two reasons. First, it breaks up the moonshine intensity, especially if you start to feel “tasting fatigue.” Second, it gives you a chance to figure out what style you actually enjoy, because wines can differ a lot in sweetness level and flavor direction.

If you are a dry-wine purist, you may find that some of what gets offered suits sweeter or crowd-friendly preferences more than crisp and bone-dry. The good news is you can sample and learn fast. You’re not locked into one flavor lane.

Stop 3: Sugarlands Distilling Company, including behind-the-scenes and flights

The final stop is Sugarlands Distilling Company, and it is the longest of the three, around 1 hour 30 minutes. Here, the tour includes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a working distillery, guided by someone who can explain what you’re seeing and how it all fits together.

Then you also get the option to try moonshine cocktails, followed by a last moonshine flight tasting to cap off the experience. This sequence matters. The behind-the-scenes portion gives context for why moonshine tastes the way it does. The cocktail try lets you experience it in a blended form, not just neat or flight form. And the final flight is your chance to revisit flavors you liked earlier, this time with more confidence.

Recent comments also name bartenders at Sugarlands, including Payton and Trey, with praise for their energy and service. That fits the overall pattern: the tour feels strongest when the people pouring are engaged, and multiple stops deliver that.

Tastings and pacing: how not to get wrecked

This tour is built for tasting. Your ticket includes alcoholic beverages at each stop, with samples designed to be plentiful. You should expect multiple pours per stop, plus the cocktail component.

The upside is variety. You get enough samples to learn what you like without spending extra for each new flavor. The downside is density. A couple of reviews mention that the experience can feel fast-paced, especially if you want extra time between tastings or more explanation during each pour.

So how do you make it work for you?

• Eat before you go, and consider a meal that includes carbs, not just something light.
• Sip between flights, don’t chase everything at once.
• Pace yourself through the stronger proof samples at Tennessee Shine, especially if you’re new to high-proof moonshine.
• If you’re buying something at a stop, remember staff may help carry it, and that convenience can make the walking part easier.

A funny but useful detail from guest feedback: some people noted that the guide had water help and carried items for the group. That matters more than you might think. It keeps the tour from feeling like a slog while you’re drinking.

Also, tasting lines can be long in Gatlinburg at peak times. One of the biggest practical advantages here is that the tour structure helps you avoid standing around waiting to be served, so your time feels more efficient.

Price and value: why $51 can be a smart deal in Gatlinburg

At $51 per person, you’re paying for three things at once: access to tastings across multiple locations, guided structure, and an included cocktail moment.

If you were to try tasting on your own, you’d likely pay per flight or per sample and then still spend time figuring out schedules and dealing with lines. This tour bundles the tastings into one planned evening, which is exactly what makes it feel like value for many couples and groups.

A frequent perk tied to these kinds of tours is discount access at each location when you do any shopping. That can matter if you plan to bring bottles home as souvenirs. The tour experience can also get you attention and smoother service during tasting windows, which turns waiting time into actual tasting time.

Now the honest part. If you are the type who only wants a quick sample or you hate walking, you might find it too much for the price. But if you want a structured way to taste moonshine and wine without the “where do we go next” stress, this is priced in a way that makes sense.

In other words, the value is not just in the drinks. It is in saving you time and decision fatigue while delivering a more guided experience across three distinct places.

Walking, start time, and what to do to enjoy the evening

Logistics are simple, but they matter for comfort.

The tour starts at 5:00 pm and runs about 3 hours 30 minutes. You meet at 520 Parkway. It ends back at the meeting point. It is offered in English, and you’ll get a mobile ticket.

The walking requirement is about 0.7 miles at a moderate pace, with a note that it may not be suitable for people who cannot walk that amount. Standing can last up to 3 hours, so plan for that. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation.

So what should you wear and bring?

• Wear shoes you can stand in and walk in for a moderate distance.
• Bring a light layer, Gatlinburg evenings can shift.
• Hydrate before you start, and sip water between tastings.
• If you’re sensitive to alcohol, plan to go slow early, because proof levels can jump quickly.

The tour is also not recommended for anyone traveling with persons under 21 years old. If that applies to your group, you’ll want to choose a different option.

Finally, group size is capped at 12 travelers. That is a big part of why the vibe feels personal instead of assembly-line.

Who should book, and who should skip

I’d book this tour if you want a fun, guided way to taste Gatlinburg’s moonshine and also get real wine sampling. It is especially good for:

• Couples looking for an easy, memorable night out
• People curious about moonshine culture but not sure where to start
• Groups that want structure, tastings at every stop, and less waiting around

You might skip it if:

• You dislike walking or standing for extended stretches
• You need a quiet, slow-paced experience
• You’re not interested in alcohol tastings beyond one or two sips

One more judgment call: if you prefer dry wines and very subtle flavors, know that wine offerings may lean toward crowd-pleasing profiles. The tour makes it easy to find out what you like, but it is still a tasting format, not a curated “only dry” itinerary.

Book it or pass: my quick decision guide

Book this tour if you want the practical best of Gatlinburg in one evening: multiple tastings included, a small-group feel, and a behind-the-scenes finish at Sugarlands. It is one of those experiences that works well because it saves you time and gives you a guided tasting flow, instead of leaving you to wing it.

Pass if you want a more relaxed, long sit-down night or if walking and standing are tough for you. Also pass if you only want to sample lightly, because this experience is designed for sampling a lot.

If you’re ready for a spirited tasting night with guides like Jen and bartenders such as Wild Bill, Payton, and Trey, you’re in the right place. Eat first, pace yourself, and you’ll likely have the kind of evening people keep talking about.

FAQ

How long is the Wine and Shine Walking Tour?

It lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is 520 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour run?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

What is included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes alcoholic beverages, tastings at each stop, and a special moonshine cocktail.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 12 travelers.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If it is canceled because the minimum traveler requirement is not met, you’ll be offered a different experience/date or a full refund.