Tennessee’s wine industry is evolving quickly. Across the state, growers, winemakers, universities and industry leaders are investing in better vineyards, stronger education and more rigorous standards. Tennessee Quality Assured is how that progress shows up in your glass.

The Tennessee Quality Assurance Program, or QAP, was created in 2023 by the Tennessee Wine and Grape Board and is supported by the Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance. The voluntary certification gives wineries a way to prove quality through independent testing and national recognition.

To qualify, each wine must pass laboratory analysis measuring factors like pH, acidity, alcohol and residual sugar to confirm the wine is stable and well made. From there, the wine must earn a medal or score at least 85 points in approved national or international competitions.

The program continued to expand in 2025, adding respected judging platforms like Wine Enthusiast Ratings & Reviews, the Texas International Wine Competition, the West Coast Wine Competition, East Meets West and the Great American International Wine Competition alongside established events like the San Francisco International, the New York International, the Finger Lakes International and the American Wine Society Wine Competition. Tennessee wineries can also receive reimbursement support for competition entry and laboratory fees, helping more bottles reach expert judges across the country.

The process is straightforward, but meaningful. Scientific testing confirms the wine is technically sound. Competition results show it can compete beyond Tennessee. For visitors, that shows up as something you can taste. Year after year, more Tennessee wines, from dry reds and crisp whites to fruit wines, ciders and meads, are returning from national competitions with medals and recognition. Together, those standards help guests identify wines that represent the best of what Tennessee wineries are producing today.