Hillside Winery — Attraction in Sevierville

What would have once been a five star review from me is now a one star review. I’ve waited a little bit to write this so I wasn’t writing it out of a place of raw emotion. First thing’s first - I don’t consider myself a drinker. My husband and I purchased some wine from Hillside for our engagement trip and honeymoon to enjoy privately which was 8 years ago and have maybe purchased here once since then. It’s an extremely rare treat for us. We are local and were recently on a trip (our first overnight trip alone together since our honeymoon even if it was just down the road) and decided to stop by Hillside because it’s a tradition. This visit was a bit more busy than the previous ones but not terribly. I would say there were probably 3-5 people in front of us. Usually when we come we can walk right in without a wait. There was a small line so we decided to check out the merchandise and have a look around. After seeing the front room we tried to excuse ourselves around some folks waiting their turn for a tasting. As we were making our way around them, a woman at the tasting counter immediately scolded me for trying to cut the line. I explained that we were not trying to take anyone’s place in line and that we just wanted to have a look around until it was our turn to purchase what we came there for. I guess because it had been so long since I had been there I wanted to just check things out, see if there was anything new or different just for the fun of it. Taking a look around was never an issue on the previous visits and was encouraged so it didn’t occur to me that it would create an issue. She argued with me that we couldn’t get our own bottle of wine anyway and that it was better to wait our turn for a tasting. I told her we weren’t even interested in tasting anything because we already knew what we wanted but just wanted to look around while waiting our turn. She wasn’t happy. We looked around for a few minutes and during that time I expressed to my husband that I wanted to leave without making a purchase because it hurt my feelings. He insisted we get some because it’s a tradition and something rare and special. We got back into line. When it was our turn the same lady that scolded me scowled at us then pointed us into the direction of a young man with a much more positive and friendly disposition. He offered us tastings and we declined, asked for what we wanted and he went to get it. When he got back to the counter with our purchase he joked that “we were experts” and tried to soften the blow which I appreciated. Maybe the woman was having a bad day of her own. Maybe she was trying to practice crowd control…who knows? There couldn’t have been more than twenty people in there altogether. I’ve managed much worse crowds on jobs. I’m sure most people can relate to having certain experiences at places that stand out to you and become a core memory. I’ve had a few of those experiences here where something funny or endearing was said and it just stays with you. That’s what Hillside was to me. I had never had a bad experience before this trip so it was very shocking. I’m not the type to get embarrassed easily but it was humiliating I think because of how shocking it was. I know the woman doesn’t know me from Adam, but assuming I was trying to cut line (especially with all those eyes there to witness it) was hurtful. I’m the type of person that often feels guilt for holding up a checkout line with a buggy full of groceries. I’m sad because what was a special tradition has been tainted for me. Words stick to my mind like super glue. I don’t forget them. Even if something had to be said I think there was a much more professional way to go about it. Sad to say but my heart is “black and blue” after this encounter because Hillside was such a special place to us. I’m very disappointed, slightly angry and really just sad to have this sinking feeling inside when I think of this place as opposed to the once warm and fuzzy, butterfly, excited feeling it used to...

Wish I could give zero stars after the way my family and I were treated during the wine tasting. I never ever write reviews, but after how rude Monica was to us, I felt that I had to share our experience. For example, I had chosen the $5 wine tasting, while my 80 year-old mother decided to only partake in the free wine tasting where you pick 4 to try. Once my mom was done trying her four, she had walked over to look at the gift shop until I was done with my tasting. At the end, Monica got upset because my mom left the bar before trying the wine slushie, which we were unaware you could try with the free tasting. Monica then rolled her eyes and said that she went over all the instructions in the beginning and she will now assume my mom is no longer interested. I never remember Monica saying this, but even if she did, why be nasty about a simple mistake? My mom wasn't even upset she didn't get to try the wine slushie. I kind of felt like a little kid getting scolded by a teacher. Monica also got offended every time I didn't care for one of their wines. She even told me that I must not go to many wine tastings because if I did, I would know that their wine is good and easy to drink. No, I have been to wine tastings before, I just didn't care for some of their selections, hence the tasting wine before you buy. There is a lot more I could say about the experience, but there would be too much to type. After the tasting, I hastily bought one bottle and hurried out of there with my family, but to be honest, I am sad I even bought one. It was kind of humiliating the way we were spoken to, especially since we were excited to try the wine and buy something special to take home. I am disappointed to say I will never be back to this winery or any of their other locations, especially since there are so many good reviews, but I would never want to have a repeat of that...

We recently received our case of Black and Blue wine. And seeing the comments of others, it is a favorite! However when opening our first bottle (and I must say with great anticipation )it was NOT the same loved wine! The color was that of a Blush wine and the taste was that of a Muscadine, not a BlackBerry or Blueberry to be tasted at all!. We called right away and we're told several reasons why it tasted DIFFERENT. Apparently they don't think we know our fruit. (We own 72 acres in Ga. and grow 7 different fruits in which B &B are a large section of the fruits grown.) We were told if the wine is shipped in the winter it can affect the taste (from Tennessee to Ga) We were told maybe it tasted different because the Blackberries came from different areas or picked sooner or later. We were told it could not possibly be different because they submitted their recipe to the government and had to be followed. I am thinking they have the right recipe for A Wine but the WRONG LABEL on the case we received. We have been growing this type of fruit over ten years and sell a lot of it because of the quality year after year. So please do not tell us it is all in our heads and the wine we received was right. That would mean when ever you order wine who knows what you will get. No need to identify it cause it could be a different flavor each time. There was NO offer to rectify this problem. I would gladly send them one bottle back to see for themselves it is not Black and Blue but I was told, sorry mam, have a good day. Thank you, one...