In the first half of 2016, the heirs of Mittie Chapman placed 4 acres of the original Chapman family farm up for sale to help settle her estate. At this same time, Chuck and Sherry Compton, who moved to Tennessee to be closer to their youngest son attending the University of Tennessee, were on the hunt for land on which to build a garage. Although too far from their home for a garage, the Comptons were taken with the absolute beauty of the 4-acre parcel and, after a little convincing from Chuck, agreed this would be an ideal place for a winery and small vineyard.
Things moved quickly with the groundbreaking for the winery building in January 2017. The vineyard was planted by 32 volunteers on a drizzly Good Friday in 2018. Happily, of 400 vines to be planted, an amazing 399 made it into the ground and survived!
In March 2018 Chapman Hill Winery finally had all permits and licenses in place to begin manufacturing wine – which drove the opening date to June 2019.
The addition of an expansive stone patio between the building and vineyard in 2022 provided yet another relaxing space for many more guests, surrounded by the beauty of the Cumberland foothills.
From the day Chapman Hill Winery opened to now, thousands of people have come to sample our wines, relax with old friends, make new friends, and become part of our winery family.
Meet Our Winemaker
Chuck and Sherry Compton poured their hearts and souls into establishing Chapman Hill Winery and making it a place people love to visit. They continue to do that every day, with Chuck playing a key role as the sole winemaker. When making a decision about career choices (many years ago), Chuck considered becoming a commercial artist, as he loved to draw and be creative. Instead, he chose the route of science and got a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Some 15 years ago, he realized he could blend science and art together in the making of wine. Starting at home with wine kits, smelling up the basement of their home with yeast and fermenting wine (which made the kids stay upstairs with them – win!), Chuck quickly moved to working with fresh grapes and creating his own “recipes”. Wanting to make the best wine possible, Chuck enrolled in and completed the University of California Davis Winemaker’s Certificate program. As a self-proclaimed obsessive compulsive, Chuck pays attention to every detail in producing Chapman Hill Winery wines – resulting in a whole tasting menu full of award-winning wines!
Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association
Chapman Hill Winery is a member of the Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association (Nine Lakes) and participates in its wine festivals and wine trails.
The Appalachian Region Wine Producers Association was formed in 2015 to promote the common interest of its members in the grape and wine industry of the Appalachian region of East Tennessee. The central mission of ARWPA is establishing identity for our wines, promoting quality and teamwork – fostered in participation in regional wine festivals and wine trails – and encouraging long-term investment in a vibrant and thriving wine industry in East Tennessee.