Smoky Comparison: Mountain Valley vs. Smoky Mountain Winery

     There's several wineries in the Smoky Mountain area including a dense area called "Rocky Top Wine Trail" which consists of 3 wineries within 3 miles (Hillside, Apple Barn, & Mountain Valley Winery).  In this article, I'll compare two of them vs. Mountain Valley winery.

     Overall, I'd suggest including a winery as a portion of your Smoky Mountain schedule.  When I've traveled through wine country in Sonoma, CA or eastern, MI, you could fill the whole day happily wandering through grapevines and visiting wineries.  However, in the Smoky Mountains, I'd suggest you get outside and perhaps visit one or two wineries as a romantic ending to the day.  Therefore, I'd suggest being choosy in which ones you visit.

     I recommend Smoky Mountain Winery (Gatlinburg, TN) over Mountain Valley Winery or Hillside (both Pigeon Forge, TN).  While all had nice regional sweet wines, the real difference for me was the level of service.  At Smoky Mountain Winery, the lady gave me a warm welcome and gave me her full attention.  With such service, I was able to overlook that the samples came in a shot glass instead of a wine glass and have a conversation about the wine.  At Mountain Valley Winery and Hillside, no one even greeted me and it felt like they were really set up to crank through the tour buses and take orders.  Smoky Mountain Winery tasting room is much smaller and I think you'll enjoy the quaint atmosphere and service.

After I made my assesment, I searched online to see other traveler's viewpoint:

Smoky Mountain Winery:

Establishment Age:  Oldest premium producer in Eastern, TN

Wine:  Specialties in sweet wine; I chose the Muscadine Red

Price:  Entry level approx. $15

*Service:  Consistent positive ratings, criticism on service seems to be the outlier

Example quote on TripAdvisor "The people are so friendly and helpful.  They are personable and outgoing, just like Tenn. people are supposed to be."

Example quote on Yahoo Travel Guide.com "My husband and I do a lot of traveling but we have never been treated like we were at home like in this winery"

Uptake.com Tourist Review Rating:  6 reviews, 100% recommend

Mountain Valley (Pigeon Forge)

Establishment Age:  1991

Wine:  Specialties in sweet wine; examples - Rhubarb, Mountain Peach

Price:  Aprrox. $15; examples - Blackberry $15.49, Mountain Valley Blush $13.49

Service:  Inconsistent, seems dependent upon the host, shout outs to Kevin & Doug

Example negative quotes on Trip Advisor:  "Beautiful shop, great wine, but the staff members completely kill it"; "Worst service ever...we walked in and no one acknowledges your presence."

Example positive quotes on Trip Advisor:  "treated like family and wined like royalty"
Uptake.com Tourist Review Rating 58 reviews, 75% recommend

Smoky Comparison #1: Waldens Creek vs. Cades Cove Riding Stables

The kids have been horseback riding at a YMCA camp & I'd like to take them riding in the Smoky Mountains.  Thought I'd share the options and comparisons of 6 options in or near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Overall, I'd recommend Waldens Creek Stable based upon the site, the prices, and a check on philanthropy. 

1.  Philanthropy - all equal
At first I was most interested in the operations within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park because I like to support a good cause.  However, I believe these companies operate within the park, but don't necessarily give their profit to the park. 

2.  Prices - all equal (prices may change, so check out the link)
1) Waldens Creek Stable, $30 1 hour, March to Jan., 9AM-3PM, 5 or older
http://www.waldencreekstables.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=17

2) Cades Cove Riding Stables, Townsend, $25 1 hour, 9-4:30PM, 6 or older
http://www.cadescovestables.com/hours-rates.shtml

3) Smokemont Riding Stables, near Cherokee, NC, $25 1 hour, 9-5PM, 5 or older
http://smokemontridingstable.com/

4) Sugarlands Riding Stables (or Smoky Mountain Riding Stables), near Gatlinburg, TN, $25 1 hour = 4 miles, 9-6PM summer, 5 or older

http://www.sugarlandsridingstables.com/

http://www.smokymountainridingstables.com/rates.html

5) Five Oaks Riding Stables, Pigeon Forge, TN, $29.99, 5 miles

http://www.adventureparkatfiveoaks.com/

3.  Location - Best Walden Creek Stables, Mid=stables within Park, Low=Five Oaks

Walden Creek Stables - dedicated horse farm off the beaten trail with beautiful mountain view, lots of land, Western theme building and tasteful large gift store.  If you are staying at Lightning Bug Lodge, it's only 1.1 mile from the Shagbark resort entrance.

In comparison, Five Oaks Riding Stables is located near major road across from the Tanger Outlet Mall and splits their focus by offering zip line tours too.

Horseback riding has it's dangers, so please check into the safety record of any place you choose and ride at your own risk.

A horseback riding adventure in the Smokies

Open Road's Best National Parks with Kids chooses the best parks for kids and describes nearby family fun.  It's no surprise that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the chosen parks.  One of the chosen activities is taking the family to Walden Creek Stables, "There are a variety of rides to accommodate both the equine novice and experienced rider.  Wagon rides are also provided...At the end of the buggy ride you can enjoy a supper show filled with cowboy songs, Native American dancing, and trick riding." 

For Lightning Bug Lodge guests, it's very convenient, only 1.1 miles from the Shagbark resort.  When we visited, there was less pagentry, serene in fact.  We watched the horses frolic in the sunshine, leisurely explored their shop guarded by a friendly lab, we giggled at the posted sign, "Have a great ride?  If so, kiss your horse and tip your guide."  That's the right order, a better idea than tip your horse and kiss your guide.

If you want to go horseback riding, I'd recommend this site (see next article for direct comparison).  If you are looking for a wagon ride, I'd recommend going to Cades Cove or Sugarlands where there's no min. group size required and it's only $10 per person.