Shine Girl

Why go: Shine Girl is the only Sevierville distillery built around a family moonshine legacy that stretches back generations, offering smooth, creative spirits crafted by a combat veteran and pilot who also happens to be Dolly Parton’s niece.

About Shine Girl

Shine Girl is a woman-owned distillery and tasting room rooted in Sevierville family history. Owner Danielle Parton, a combat veteran, Air National Guard pilot, and commercial airline captain, opened the distillery in March 2022 after an eight-year journey to get the doors open. She is Dolly Parton’s niece, the first female in the Parton family to earn a college degree, and comes from a lineage that includes bootleggers, lawmen, and one of the most famous entertainers in the world.

The philosophy at Shine Girl is built around one premise: spirits by and for women, which means no throat scorchers. Every bottle in the lineup is designed for a smooth finish, whether you reach for the Original Moonshine, rooted in family recipes and made with honey, sugar, or molasses alongside corn, or one of the inventive flavored varieties that have earned the distillery a loyal following since it opened.

Getting to Shine Girl

Shine Girl sits on Jenkins Road in Sevierville, a short drive from the main Parkway corridor. Head north on the Parkway in the direction of Knoxville, then turn right onto Jenkins Road. Free parking is available on-site.

Why Choose Shine Girl

Shine Girl stands apart from the broader Sevierville spirits scene because of what is in the bottle and the story behind the person who made it.

• A story worth hearing. Danielle Parton’s path from Belmont University through combat deployments, military flight training, and a commercial airline career is one of the more compelling origin stories you will encounter at a Tennessee distillery, and it shapes how the tasting room operates.
• Smooth finishes, no exceptions. The entire lineup was designed around approachability. If harsh moonshine has put you off before, Shine Girl makes a strong case for revisiting the category.
• Creative flavors that hold up. Red Velvet, Lavender, Rosé, and Coconut moonshine reflect real recipe development. These are not novelty additions to a label; they are the reason regulars come back.
• Cocktails made to order. The Shine-a-Rita, Stubborn Mule, and New Fashioned give visitors a chance to try the spirits in a mixed format before deciding on a bottle.
• Veteran-owned and women-first. Shine Girl is one of the few veteran-owned distilleries in the region and was built with a women-first philosophy from the start, not as an afterthought.

Meet the Shines

Shine Girl’s lineup covers the original recipe, several flavored moonshines, a vodka, and a selection of cocktails, all made with the same smooth-finish approach.

• Original Moonshine. The foundation of the brand, drawn from family recipes and made with honey, sugar, or molasses alongside corn. Clean, smooth, and what the distillery was built on.
• Red Velvet Moonshine. One of the most popular bottles in the lineup. Rich and smooth without being cloying, it consistently draws visitors who would not otherwise reach for moonshine.
• Lavender Moonshine. Floral and lighter than the rest of the lineup, a natural pairing with lemonade or sparkling water and a genuine standout for visitors looking for something different.
• Rosé Moonshine. Built for the wine-curious crowd, easy to sip on its own and a versatile cocktail ingredient.
• Coconut Moonshine. Tropical and smooth, a good fit for warm-weather visits or anyone who prefers a lighter spirit.
• Shine Girl Vodka. A clean, versatile option for those who prefer vodka, made with the same smooth-finish philosophy as the rest of the lineup.
• Signature Cocktails. The tasting room mixes drinks to order. Current options include the Shine-a-Rita (Cathy’s Way), the Stubborn Mule, and the New Fashioned.

What to Expect

Shine Girl runs a relaxed, no-pressure tasting room where sampling the lineup is part of the visit.

• Free tastings at the bar. Visitors are invited to try the full lineup. Staff walks through each spirit and can answer questions about the production process and the story behind the brand.
• Small-batch, personal service. This is a small operation. The experience is a genuine introduction to the product, not a scripted tour at a large facility.
• Take-home bottles on-site. The full Shine Girl lineup is available for purchase. Online ordering is also available through the distillery’s third-party retail partner.
• Branded merchandise available. Apparel and glassware are sold in the tasting room for those who want a Shine Girl keepsake beyond the bottle.

Nearby in Sevierville

• King’s Family Distillery. A family-run distillery on Upper Middle Creek Road producing moonshine and whiskey varieties rooted in genuine Sevier County history.
• Aubrey’s. A casual sit-down spot on Dolly Parton Parkway with a menu that ranges from fresh salads and Southern favorites to craft pastas and a solid draft beer selection.
• Tennessee Shine. A spirits stop on Winfield Dunn Parkway with a Tennessee-made moonshine and whiskey selection and a strong local identity.
• Tennessee Legend Distillery. A Winfield Dunn Parkway distillery with a lineup of small-batch Tennessee spirits, including moonshine and aged whiskey.
• Buddy’s Bar-B-Q. A long-running Sevierville chain for hickory-smoked meats and Southern sides, with a casual dining room and dependable results.

Explore More

My Smoky Mountain Guide Sevierville is a great resource for finding things to do and places to eat.

• Sevierville Food & Beverage Guide. A comprehensive look at where to eat and drink across Sevierville, from barbecue joints to craft distilleries and beyond.
• Sevierville Attractions. A guide to the best experiences Sevierville has to offer, from outlet shopping to family entertainment, all within easy reach of the Parkway.
• Sevierville Outdoor Adventure. A starting point for planning outdoor activities in and around Sevierville, covering hiking, kayaking, ziplines, and more.