It has been said that the Clinch, long known to be the most biologically diverse river this side of the Amazon, is haunted by many spirits of yesteryear. Legends of busted stills and revenuers claiming victory during the bootleg era endure in our Appalachian Mountains.  Today you can experience the Spirits of the Clinch and taste the region’s best beers, wines, hard ciders, and liquors made with water from the Clinch.  Starting from either end of Virginia’s “hidden river”, you will find craft breweries, wineries, a cidery, and distilleries. Each has its own distinctive character and flavors that will definitely bring you back for more. And each has a story of their own to tell. Come, experience the Spirits of the Clinch for yourself.  For your free map, contact us at 276.762.0011 or use our contact form.

Axe Handle Distilling

https://AxeHandleDistilling.com/
@AxeHandleDistilling
42236 Wilderness Road, Pennington Gap  24277
36°42’21.8”N 82°58’18.5”W
276.318.6162

Open 10am-8pm 7days

Axe Handle is a family owned and operated distillery in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Inside the custom-built Old Virginia Hand Hewn Log Home facility (another family owned and operated business for 40 years) there is a production room, tasting room, merchandise/retail space, and a wrap-around porch to relax on. They partner with local farmers and strive to become 100% locally sourced for grains; corn, barley, wheat and rye. Axe Handle Distilling offers tastings/samples and sells mixed drinks, bottled bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, and American gin. Besides their bottled spirits, they have a great selection of engraved glasses, t-shirts, hats, gift baskets and other items.  They also host sip & paint/craft events, food trucks, and other special events.

Sugar Hill Cidery

https://sugarhillcidery.com/
@sugarhillcidery
815 Park Avenue NW, Norton  24273
36°55’59.8”N 82°37’48.2”W
276.325.7313

Open W-Th 11:30am-9pm, F-Sat 11:30am-11:30pm, Sun 12noon-8pm

Sugar Hill Cidery offers a family-friendly place to meet, eat, and enjoy house-made hard cider as well as craft beer and local wines. It is the only restaurant in the region that serves house-crafted ciders. Their renowned ciderist creates a variety of flavor profiles, ranging from dry to sweet, spiced, and fruity. The ever-changing cider menu ensures there is always something new to taste.  The Cidery has the capacity to serve 120 people year-round and an additional 60 people outdoors during warmer months. The outdoor seating area allows well-behaved dogs, too. The dining room features comfortable tables and booths, plus a bar area and space for lounging adjacent to the dining room. In short, Sugar Hill Cidery is THE place to go in Southwest Virginia!

MountainRose Vineyards

https://MountainRoseVineyard.com
@mountainrosevineyard
10439 Reservoir Road, Wise 24293
36°58’17.9”N 82°31’26.5”W
276.328.2013

Open days and hours vary – check website

Today row after row of vines laden with grapes replace the once noisy dozers, haulers and coal trucks. Hawks circle the skies where dust and noise once ruled. The sparkling blue pond that once served as a brown sediment pool, welcomes quiet fishermen catching bass, bluegill, and catfish. MountainRose Vineyards is a family-owned dream located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.

Visitors love to tour the vineyards and try the wines, being pleasantly surprised when they taste them. Most can’t believe such great wines are being made in the heart of coal country, more famous for coal mine strikes than award winning spirits. What brings visitors back again and again is not only the wonderful wine, but a chance to be part of the dream. The truth is the wonderful white, blush, and red wines of MountainRose Vineyards, not the black coal, are the true hidden treasures of the Appalachian Mountains.

Lonesome Pine Brewing Company

https://LonesomePineBrewing.com
@LonesomePineBrewing
15 East Main Street, Lebanon  24266
36°54’03.8”N 82°04’48.0”W
276.254.2189

Open Th-Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 5pm-10:30pm, Closed Sun-Wed