Spirits and wine along the Natchez Trace have a long and outstanding history.  Landlocked farmers with no direct access to the sea needed a way to ship their produce to markets. 

You may wish to download the Passport pdf file for the South Central Tennessee Wine Trail here.

Wine Country, California may be all the rage, but the Natchez Trace Wine Trail, off the famous Natchez Trace Parkway, is an experience of fresh air, beautiful views and unique wines. The four family-owned wineries that make up the trail are approximately an hour outside of Nashville. It’s a wine experience worth a day’s road trip. Follow along for a run-down of each stop, plus a spot for lunch, and then, plan your own Natchez Trace Wine Trail adventure. Please sip responsibly.

Wineries Include

• Grinder’s Switch Winery
• Keg Springs Winery
• Amber Falls Winery
• Natchez Hills Vineyard

Corn and grapes were too precious of a commodity to make the 2 month long, wet journey by river raft to Natchez.  Corn was made into liquor, or illegal moonshine, and grapes were turned to wine, both out of necessity and its fabled medicinal benefits.  Barrels of spirits were easier to transport than hundreds of pounds of corn, which spoiled so very easily or the extremely fragile grapes.  These barrels were unloadedand sold at the notorious Natchez under the Hill and the Spirits added to the reputation of bawdiness of this river town.  Once sold, these barrels of spirits turned into hard to come by currency. 

Wine and The Natchez Trace

Spirits and wine along the Natchez trace have a long and treasured history. Landlocked farmers needed a port to ship their produce to markets. Corn and grapes were too precious to make the two month long, wet journey by river raft to Natchez. Corn was made into liquor, or white lighting and grapes were turned to wine, both out of necessity and its fabled medicinal benefits. Barrels of spirits were easier to transport than hundreds of pounds of easy to spoil corn or the ever fragile grapes.

These barrels were off loaded and sold at the notorious Natchez under the Hill and the Spirits added to the reputation of bawdiness of this river town. Once sold, these barrels of spirits turned into hard to come by currency. Now the adventure took a dangerous turn; a three month long trek home along the Natchez trace. Outside the long arm of the law, highwaymen and criminals knew those heading north had money in their pockets and were easy prey. For those that made it home the money went to plant more corn and grapes.

Today the adventure continues along the Natchez Trace Wine Trail. Relive the history and romance of the trace while enjoying the same wine that added to the reputation and traditions from this unique chapter in American History.

The History of Wine

Littering a dark and dreary back roads of our past are the relics of beer and whisky. As wandering hunters aspired to a better life they longed for a warm place to sleep at night. They yearned for the comforts of home. As they foraged the forests and plains for food and comfort they discovered grapes. The sweetness and heavenly flavors quickly gave them reason to frequent these wild vineyards. As time and discovery played out their fateful hand another wonderful unearthing evolved. Wild yeast played it’s part and the stored grapes began to reveal the nectar of the gods – Wine. A gift so grand was not taken lightly. As they came to a greater appreciation of this accidental wine, they began to understand the value of caring for the vines all year. They gratefully left their their wandering past behind and become vintners and connoisseurs of fine wine.

It is now clear our civilization is built on the solid foundation of Wine.

Long Trek Home

Now the adventure took a dangerous turn; a three month long trek home along the Natchez Trace.  Outside the long arm of the law, highwaymen and criminals knew those heading north had money in their pockets and were easy prey.  For those that made it home the money went to plant more corn and grapes. 

Today's Wine Trail

Today the adventure continues along the Natchez Trace Wine Trail.  Relive the history and romance of the Trace while enjoying the same wine that added to the reputation and traditions from this unique chapter in American History.  Lewis County is proud that 3 wineries call us home.  Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, Keg Springs Wineries, and Natchez Hills Vineyard.  Get their complete information at Chamber, then members tab.  Watch our video dedicated to our local wineries:  http://youtu.be/-0Vc8vrMp-U