Spout Spring Estates is a surprising, picturesque spot hidden in the mountains of Blaine, TN
Even after more than 30 years in and around the mountains, there are things that surprise me. Well-known things that have eluded me, secret spots or stories only known by a few, or places that I just haven’t made it to, yet.
The mountains are massive, and even from the highest peaks, it’s impossible to see everything. You never know what’s hiding in the hills or the hollers or even on the next mountaintop out of sight.
I have lived within 30 minutes of the Spout Spring Winery & Vineyard since it opened more than a decade ago in Blaine, a tiny community in eastern Grainger County about 20 minutes from Knoxville.
My mom and stepdad live in Blaine. I’ve driven the main road – Highway 11W – that runs not 10 minutes from the winery hundreds of times.
There’s a sign! Although, in fairness to me, it’s small and I’m not sure how long it’s been there. We suppose, however, that it’s been there a while.
Last week, we were invited to a celebration at the winery, and so we made the trek.
Following a quick succession of rapidly shrinking roads, we made our way through the rural countryside. And there we found the single-lane road leading to one of the most beautiful spots I’ve seen in the mountains.
About Spout Spring Estates Winery & Vineyard
Sprout Spring Estates began more than two decades ago. Engineers Chuck and Alice Belt – of West Knoxville at the time – bought the cattle farm located upon this remote Grainger County Bald. Not interested in the cattle business, Alice told me they decided to build a vineyard.
The winery began operations in July of 2015 and today Chuck is the winemaker and Alice is the vineyard manager. They offered a wide variety of wines from sparkling to berry. But because the wines are made with wine grapes and fruits grown on site or in the region, the availability of various wines varies greatly.
Still, you’re likely to find something special to sip while taking in the extraordinary views. That is what this vineyard has to offer above all else. Even in the mountains of East Tennessee where natural beauty is part of the daily routine, the grounds and the view across East Tennessee to the Smokies are magnificent.
You enter the vineyard on a gravel lane surrounded by tall grains like something out of a movie – this was true for May, anyway. It will be different at other times of the year. The vineyard is on one end of large, grassy field. I called it a bald earlier – which is essentially a mountaintop pasture. But I don’t know whether or not it the term technically applies. Still, it’s a large, green mountain top field that leads to the massive log-cabin clubhouse with an extensive wrap-around porch.
The vineyard view
The large building obscures the view, but it is revealed as you work your way around the porch. On a clear day, you see down over fields and forests, past communities nestled in the valleys below, to the distant, misty mountains. The varying shades of green eventually give way to the blue hue of the shadowy mountains under the white clouds and bright blue sky.
I’ve seen, in my day, many spectacular mountain views. I found this one as visually striking as any I’ve run across.
Do they serve food at Spout Springs?
No, not really. But they do have an enticing selection of cheeses and the makings for a charcuterie board. What they do provide is the wine and the vibes. You can try their wines from the deck or by the fire pit or even by the fountain. You are allowed to bring your own food, have a picnic or find a table on the porch.
We were there for a birthday party – no reservations are required, but they do appreciate a heads up for larger parties. They made the bar area available for us to spread out the catering we brought along. We purchased a variety of wines for the group to sample from the tasting room and spent the afternoon enjoying food, fellowship, and life at a beautiful mountain venue.
You can also purchase wine and merch to take home or, I suppose, back to the hotel.
Is it hard to get to Spout Springs Estates?
No. The winery is about an hour from the heart of Pigeon Forge. Most of that drive gets you to I-40 and to the Zoo Knoxville Exit. The highway from I-40 to Blaine is four lanes most of the way to Little Valley Road. If you’ve driven much in rural East Tennessee, there won’t be anything out of the ordinary as you make your way to Vineyard Road.
My son – whose dad apparently hasn’t taken him on enough rural roads – did ask if the single-lane Vineyard Road was one way and what we’d do if we met a car going the other direction. But a bit of prudence and willingness to pull into the grass a little, and you should be fine.
The winery is located at 430 Riddle Lane, Blaine, Tenn. You can reach them at 865-719-7485.
Did you know about this beautiful winery location? Let us know in the comments!