Nashville sits close to a growing wine region. Rolling hills, family-owned vineyards, and tasting rooms fill Middle Tennessee. These trails are a wine connoisseur’s dream come true.
This guide covers the best wineries near Nashville, what each one offers, and why the region has earned its reputation. You will find details on award winning wines, tasting flights, and a few stops worth planning your day around.
What Makes Nashville’s Wine Country Special
The surrounding Middle Tennessee area is known as Nashville’s Wine Country. Rolling hills and small family farms shape the region’s wineries. Most Nashville wine tours combine tastings with food pairings, giving visitors more than just a glass of wine.
Belle Meade Historic Site: Nashville’s Oldest City Winery
Belle Meade Winery sits on the Belle Meade Historic Site, ten minutes from downtown Nashville. It holds the title of the oldest winery within Nashville’s city limits, dating back to 2009. Arrington Vineyards and Keg Springs Winery, both founded in 2003, sit farther out in Williamson and Maury County, outside the city itself.
Wine And Food Pairings
Belle Meade Winery pairs five wines with gourmet hors d’oeuvres for guests seeking a fuller tasting experience. The winery also offers bourbon experiences alongside its wine tastings, adding variety to a visit.
Arrington Vineyards: A Local Favorite
Arrington Vineyards was established in 2003 on a former hog farm south of Nashville. The property now produces award-winning wines, including a Syrah that won Best of Show in 2004.
Tasting Flights At Arrington
Arrington Vineyards offers wine tasting flights across several tasting rooms on the property. Visitors can pair a flight with a picnic on the grounds, often with live music playing on weekends.
Amber Falls Winery & Cellars, Hampshire
Amber Falls Winery sits in Hampshire, Tennessee, along the historic Natchez Trace. The winery produces dry, sweet, fruity, and dessert wines, all crafted on-site in its cellar tasting room.
A Second Location In Nashville
Amber Falls also runs a satellite tasting room in Nashville, letting visitors taste award winning wines without the full drive to Hampshire.
Keg Springs Winery: Free Tastings
Keg Springs Winery opened in 2003 near Hampshire and offers free tastings to visitors. The winery is known for its award-winning Blackberry wine, along with seasonal wine slushies in flavors like peach.
The Natchez Trace Wine Trail
Amber Falls, Keg Springs, and Grinder’s Switch all sit along the official Natchez Trace Wine Trail, a set of family-owned wineries strung along the historic Natchez Trace Parkway southwest of Nashville. Grouping stops by this trail makes it easier to plan a single day trip instead of crossing back and forth across Middle Tennessee.
| Winery | Town | Approx. Drive From Downtown Nashville | Tasting Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Meade Winery | Nashville | 10 minutes | Complimentary tasting included with Grounds Pass admission |
| Arrington Vineyards | Arrington, TN | 30 to 40 minutes | Self-guided flight starts around $16, per Arrington’s official tasting menu |
| Amber Falls Winery & Cellars | Hampshire, TN | About 1 hour | Complimentary tastings in the cellar tasting room |
| Keg Springs Winery | Hampshire, TN | About 1 hour | Free tastings |
| Grinder’s Switch Winery | Columbia, TN | 50 to 60 minutes | Tastings available at the tasting room |
Grinder’s Switch Winery: Nearly A Decade Of Awards
Grinder’s Switch Winery has won awards for its wines for close to a decade. Its original location sits along the same wine trail as Keg Springs and Amber Falls, making it easy to visit more than one stop in a day.
Planning A Nashville Winery Day Trip
Most Nashville wine tours run three to six hours, depending on how many stops you plan. Round trip transportation makes it easier to visit multiple wineries without worrying about driving between stops.
Best Times To Visit
Many wineries host upcoming events on weekends, including live music and seasonal tastings. Fall visits, especially in October, offer cooler weather for exploring the vineyard grounds.
Why Choose Ravands For Your Wine Trail Visit
Ravands Private Rides offers round trip transportation for groups visiting Nashville’s wine country. This lets friends, family, and bachelorette parties enjoy tastings without arranging a designated driver. The team plans the route between wineries, so your group can focus on the wine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Nashville Wine Tour Route?
A strong Nashville wine tour often includes Belle Meade Historic Site, Arrington Vineyards, and a stop in Nashville’s wine country near Hampshire. Grouping wineries by location saves driving time. Many visitors pair two or three stops in one day, leaving time for a tasting flight and a meal at each location.
Is Amber Falls Winery Worth The Drive From Nashville?
Yes, Amber Falls Winery in Hampshire offers award winning wines and a scenic cellar tasting room along the Natchez Trace. Visitors who prefer to stay closer to downtown Nashville can try the winery’s satellite tasting room instead. Both locations pour the same wines, so the choice comes down to time and distance.
What Makes Arrington Vineyards Different From Other Nashville Wineries?
Arrington Vineyards stands out for its size and history, having grown from a former hog farm since 2003. The property offers several tasting rooms, live music, and award-winning wines, including a Best of Show Syrah. Its picnic-friendly grounds make it a popular stop for groups spending a full afternoon in Nashville’s Wine Country.
Are Wine Tastings Free At Nashville-Area Wineries?
Many wineries near Nashville, including Keg Springs Winery, offer free tastings to visitors. Others, like Belle Meade Winery, include a tasting with a Grounds Pass or historic tour. Arrington Vineyards charges for its self-guided flights, starting around $16 per person according to its official tasting menu. Policies vary by winery, so checking ahead helps set expectations before planning a multi-stop day along the wine trail.
Can I Visit Multiple Wineries In One Day Near Nashville?
Yes, several wineries near Nashville sit close together, especially around Hampshire, making it possible to visit three or more in one day. Amber Falls, Keg Springs, and Grinder’s Switch sit along the same general route. Round trip transportation helps groups move between stops without needing a designated driver for the day.
Plan Your Tennessee Wine Trail Visit Today
Nashville’s wine country offers award winning wines, scenic vineyards, and tasting rooms worth the drive. Ravands Private Rides provides round trip transportation for groups exploring the wine trail. Contact Ravands Private Rides to plan your winery visit today.