Smokin Banjo

Smokin Banjo is a winery and cider house at 631 Parkway, in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg, and one of the stops on the official Gatlinburg Wine Trail. The house style leans bold and unconventional rather than classic, and the spicy raspberry hard cider sold as Sweet Heat is the thing most people come away talking about. It suits curious drinkers and groups working their way down the Strip, including people who normally skip wine entirely.

Reviews land overwhelmingly on the staff. Emily, Sydney, and Ryan get named repeatedly for pouring with a sense of humor and steering people toward something they will actually like. One visitor who does not drink wine found a bottle anyway; a honeymooning couple left with Sweet Heat. Transfusion also comes up as a must-try. The tasting itself reads as social and unhurried when the shop is not slammed, and several groups mention getting recommendations shaped around the questions they asked.

The shop is open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week, so a late-evening stop after dinner works as well as a midday one. Bottles carry a buy-five-get-one-free promotion, which is why plenty of visitors walk out with six. No reservation is mentioned as necessary. Parking is the main hassle, since this is the busy Parkway and spaces near the Strip fill fast in tourist season. Call (865) 252-5618 with questions before you go.

Weekday mornings, and the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, give you the quietest room and the most attention from whoever is pouring. The honest caution is that not every visit goes smoothly: a few reviewers felt rushed, felt a bottle was described loosely, or were uncomfortable being told the staff work on tips and commission. Ask direct questions about what is in the glass.