What Is the Story Behind Sumner Crest Winery?

Sumner Crest Winery began in the summer of 1997, when two of the Hall brothers turned their love for their northern Tennessee county and community into a working winery. The family's passion for viticulture, combined with the people and soil of the region, gave the project its foundation, and a second-generation vintner helped make it a reality. Nearly three decades later, the winery still describes its guiding commitment as southern hospitality and community — even as it has added a deli, a large wine club, and more seating.

The Founding Story

According to the winery's own account, the idea took shape in the summer of 1997, when two Hall brothers expressed their passion for the county and community they loved. The people and soil of northern Tennessee provided what the family calls the foundation on which their dreams were built.

Several elements came together to open the doors that year:

• The Hall Family — the driving force behind the project
• A love of viticulture — the family's interest in grape growing and winemaking
• A distinct character — the winery was conceived with its own identity rather than as a copy of an existing model
• A second-generation vintner — bringing winemaking experience into the venture

The result was Sumner Crest Winery, which opened in 1997 and has operated in the same community since.

How the Winery Has Grown

The founding story is only part of the picture. The winery notes several changes over the years that show how it has expanded beyond a simple tasting room:

What has not changed, in the winery's telling, is its commitment to southern hospitality and its community. The stated goal is to make each customer feel at home on every visit — a theme that runs through its food, gift shop, and tasting room offerings.

What a Visit Looks Like Today

The founding-era hospitality shows up in the current visitor experience. The tasting room is housed in a 1900s-era building at 5306 S Old Hwy 52, Portland, TN 37148, and the winery welcomes guests with food, wine, gifts, and events. Friendly, leashed pets are always welcome.

Tasting room hours:

• Monday–Thursday: 10am–6pm
• Friday & Saturday: 9am–7pm
• Sunday: 11am–5pm

The Grape Vine Grab 'n Go is open every day and uses freshly made, locally sourced ingredients. Its chicken salad is a signature item, alongside pimento cheeses, specialty salads, and more. "Board Bites" — a seasonal spread of hors d'oeuvres sized to serve two — typically appear on weekends and come with a locally hand-carved cutting board guests can take home. Seasonal items rotate through the year.

The gift shop is described as one of the largest winery gift shops in Tennessee, with a broad selection of gift items. The winery also points visitors to its social media accounts for discount codes when applicable.

Why the Story Matters to Visitors

Knowing the background helps set expectations. This is a family-founded, community-oriented winery rather than a large corporate estate: the draw is a combination of wine, a deli, a substantial gift shop, and a busy wine club, all in a historic-feeling tasting room. If you are planning a visit around food, gifts, or a club membership, the founding story explains why those offerings sit alongside the wine — they grew out of the same hospitality-first approach the Hall family started with in 1997.

For questions before visiting, the winery lists its phone as 615-325-4086 and its email as [email protected].