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Duplin Winery at 50: Journey to Gatlinburg
In 2026, Duplin Winery reaches its golden jubilee, a monumental 50 years of crafting sweet memories and turning America’s native grapes into a national treasure. This celebration isn't just a look back; it is your invitation to taste a journey defined by grit and grace. Through five limited-edition reserve wines, we are sharing our story one bottle at a time, each released quarterly to honor a different chapter of Duplin’s heritage. Be the first to know about more jubilee specials. Sign up the 50th Anniversary Newsletter.
Chapter 3: Growing the Duplin family
Every great wine tells a story of resilience, family, and tradition. When we look back at the history of Duplin Winery, one of our favorite milestones was expanding our family into the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.
We’re celebrating that moment with 2017 Reserve, a wine inspired by the world famous Cotton Candy blush created in Gatlinburg, Tenn. For this limited release, only available while it lasts in 2026, sweet muscadine wine with a soft push of vanilla captures the joy of a carnival on the Parkway in every single, blush-pink sip.
Gatlinburg isn't just a location, it's an inspiration.
Hope and renewal
Gatlinburg Winery's story is one of true strength. The winery was founded in 2017 to help its community heal after Tennessee's devastating wildfires in 2016. Gatlinburg Winery literally rose from the ashes as a symbol of hope and renewal.
Crafting local fruit wines became the winery's way of contributing to the city’s revitalization. Quickly, the winery expanded its cellars, introduced of the now nationally beloved Cotton Candy wine in 2018, and opened a second location in 2019. When master winemaker Nolan brought his two decades of expertise to the team in 2022, Gatlinburg's muscadine and fruit wines reached even greater heights.
Honoring legacy
Recognizing that shared spirit of perseverance, connection, and sweet Southern celebration, the Fussell family was honored to welcome Gatlinburg Winery into the Duplin Winery family.
While Gatlinburg Winery is now part of our story, we’ve made sure it stays fiercely true to its roots. Gatlinburg Winery continues to operate with its own unique identity, offering exclusive selections crafted strictly from its library of original recipes and formulas — including the world-famous Cotton Candy wine and signature fruit flavors fans have loved from the very beginning.
The beauty of the Smokies and the warmth of its people continue to inspire every bottle crafted at Gatlinburg Winery. We couldn't be prouder to celebrate its incredible journey and share a little extra mountain magic with you!
Gather your friends and family
2017 Reserve is more than a bottle of wine; it is a tribute to the enduring community spirt of Gatlinburg.
We share Gatlinburg Winery's passion for crafting wines that capture the magic of connection and celebration. And there's no better wine for raising a toast to good times than 2017 Reserve.
This fun-loving wine surprises the palate with lush berry aromas, notes of perfectly ripe strawberries, and smooth vanilla undertones, sweeping you away to secret waterfall trails, wildflower-kissed breezes, and the endless excitement of the state fair.
2017 Reserve adores crowd-pleasing snacks. Think salt-roasted peanuts or crumbled blue cheese scattered on a tray full of kettle-cooked jalapeno potato chips. Sip 2017 Reserve with pepper jack cheeseburgers, spicy grilled Buffalo wings, bacon-wrapped corn dogs, or a big platter of pulled-pork nachos.
Whip up a Blush Crush cocktail with 2017 Reserve to take you from "Aug-tober" right through Thanksgiving. This drink is sweet with a tart edge to chill lingering summer heat and usher in fall's porch-sipping days.
Don't miss Chapter 4
As we raise a glass to the last 50 years, we invite you to be part of the next piece of our story. Stay tuned for Chapter Four coming in November, when we introduce the final wine in the Duplin 50th Anniversary Series that explores more growth that far exceeded our founders' wildest dreams.
