FRANKLIN, Tenn. – The Masters & Makers Trail traverses the scenic landscape throughout Williamson County, Tennessee, connecting craft distilleries, local breweries, and an award winning vineyard to highlight an exceptional tasting experience found just south of Nashville. A partnership between the Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) and the five trail partners, the Masters & Makers Trail marks the first tourism offering connecting all reaches of Williamson County.
The Masters & Makers Trail is comprised of Arrington Vineyards, Mill Creek Brewing Company, Company Distilling, and Leiper’s Fork Distillery. Guests will be able to immerse themselves in the local culture while savoring the distinct, locally made flavors at each of the stops that dot the more than 70 miles of the trail.
“Williamson County has a thriving wine, beer, and spirits scene that you won’t find anywhere else thanks to the diverse array of partners that make up the Masters & Makers Trail,” said WCCVB President & CEO Ellie Westman Chin. “Connecting them into one trail will provide visitors with a great experience, showing them first hand how these great products are made, while also showcasing the beauty across Williamson County.”
With numerous side stops and local restaurant options along the way, the Masters & Makers Trail has positioned itself as an ideal weekend getaway destination. The mixture of a winery, breweries, and distilleries along the trail also highlights its uniqueness.
“While most trails you find around the country focus specifically on one product, when visitors make their way around the Masters & Makers Trail they will experience the wide variety of spirits and beers that are handcrafted here in our backyard.”
Travelers can plan their trip around the Masters & Makers Trail on its listing here. In addition to details about hours, tours, and tasting experiences at each stop visitors will also find suggestions for nearby local restaurants.
Details about each tour stop, including locations and hours, are below:
Arrington Vineyards
Arrington Vineyards provides a wine country experience complete with award-winning wines, wine tastings in the rusting tasting lodge, and “Music in the Vines” (free live music on the weekends) all set amongst the picturesque rolling countryside of Williamson County. Owned by country music artist Kix Brooks, winemaker Kip Summers, and entrepreneur John Russell, AV has indeed become Nashville’s wine country.
Arrington Vineyards offers tastings and tours every day. Tours are offered Monday – Thursday on a walk-in basis. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, visitors can enjoy the Premier Experience at Arrington Vineyards. This experience includes a tour, plus wine + food tastings. The Premier Experience is two hours long and $50 per person. The Premiere Experience is offered Fridays and Saturdays at noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., and on Sundays at noon and 3 p.m.
Mill Creek Brewing
Mill Creek takes pride in brewing craft beer that doesn’t mess with the standard. What we do is pure and simple. It’s beer at its finest. Stripped of pomp and privilege. Bare-boned, but bold. It’s the beer that’s stocked in your fridge — good for the backyard barbecue AND the dinner party with your boss. It’s the beer you can drink all day and never get tired of. No rules, guidelines, or dress code necessary.
Tours are available Saturday from 12-5 p.m. Tours are $10 and include a tasting flight.
Company Distilling at Thompson’s Station
Company Distilling at Thompson’s Station is creating hand-crafted spirits one small batch at a time. With a passion for quality and craft integrity, they take the finest grains and ingredients and transform them into the ultimate spirit experience, focusing on quality over quantity.
Located in the charming and picturesque town of Thompson’s Station, H Clark Distillery became Company Distilling in 2020. They craft their spirits in the same building local farmers used to house grains before loading them on the railroad for sale generations ago. It’s only fitting that their distillery is located in the same old building, using grains to create high-quality spirits to Gather Around™️.
Complimentary tours are available daily at Company Distilling, and tasting flights are $15.
Leiper’s Fork Distillery
Leiper’s Fork Distillery is honored to bring back a lost art and history to Williamson County – a county that has always put its history and heritage at the forefront. Because of this, Leiper’s Fork Distillery pledges to their distilling forefathers and patrons to pour their heart and soul into every drop of whiskey they make.
The Distillery has assembled a team of individuals who share a passion for the history and heritage of Tennessee whiskey. Typical of many small-batch distilleries, Leiper’s Fork Distillery is family-owned and operated.
Tours are available daily at Leiper’s Fork Distillery and include a sampling of whiskey in their tasting room.
ABOUT THE WCCVB The Williamson County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB) is the official destination marketing organization for Franklin and the unique communities of Williamson County, Tennessee. The WCCVB stimulates economic growth through the promotion of travel and tourism assets such as history, music, attractions, entertainment, the arts, and events to visitors from around the world. For information on Franklin and Williamson County, visit us on the web at VisitFranklin.com.
###
Matt is the guy who is always ready to share a story with you.
With a passion for new experiences, taking the back roads, and seeing everything possible, Matt serves as Visit Franklin's Senior Director of Public Relations connecting the many unique stories in the Franklin community with great journalists and storytellers worldwide. When not pitching a story idea to travel writers, you’ll likely find him working as a photographer on the sidelines of college and professional sports events across the Southeast.