Delivering quality, consistency, and creativity in every label
At Tennessee Hills Distillery in Bristol, Tennessee, every bottle represents craftsmanship, tradition, and a growing portfolio of spirits and beverages. With new products launching regularly and a strong brand presence in both retail environments and their own distillery gift shop, the Tennessee Hills team needed a trusted label vendor capable of delivering both reliability and creative flexibility.
For Tennessee Hills, that source has been Upland Label.
The Label: A Brand’s First Impression
For Tennessee Hills, labels are much more than a functional part of packaging. They are a powerful branding tool that plays a major role in how customers first experience the product. In an industry where shelf appeal matters, the label often determines whether someone picks up a bottle.
Josh Reifert, Production Manager, Tennessee Hills Distillery “The label is the window to the soul of the product, just like eyes are for a person. That bottle sitting on the shelf is basically a miniature billboard. Until someone tastes your product, the label is the only insight they have into it.”
Eliminating the Label Problems Many Beverage Producers Face
Having spent decades working with labels and their interaction with bottles, cans, and production lines, Tennessee Hills management understands exactly how important reliable labeling is to both brand presentation and operational efficiency.
Josh Reifert mentions, “I’ve been working with labels and bottles and cans for 30 years, and I can honestly say Upland has been the best supplier I’ve worked with in my entire career. I come from a strong quality background and ran the lab in the soft drink industry for 17 years, so my job has always been to find problems. With Upland, I have zero complaints about the quality.”
In beverage production, label issues can quickly lead to costly downtime. Problems like inconsistent color, backing tearing, adhesive failures, or labels that do not run smoothly on automated lines can disrupt an entire bottling or canning operation.
Instead, Tennessee Hills has been able to rely on labels that run smoothly and consistently. This reliability allows the team to focus on production and product quality rather than troubleshooting packaging problems on the line.
For growing distillery that produces a variety of spirits and beverages reliable labeling helps with ensuring that every bottle leaving the facility reflects the high standards Tennessee Hills expects for its brand.
A Partner That Encourages Creativity
Over the last few years, Tennessee Hills has experienced significant growth. As part of that growth, the distillery moved into a larger facility that allowed them to expand their operations and create a more elevated experience for visitors.
Along with the new space came a refreshed brand identity and a shift toward a more refined, top shelf look across their bottles and packaging. Upland worked closely with the Tennessee Hills team throughout that transition, helping ensure the labels reflected the new direction of the brand while maintaining the consistency needed for smooth production.
Josh Reifert continues, “One thing I’ve noticed about Upland is that ideas never get shot down. If we bring something new or different, the response is always ‘let’s see what we can do. There’s no ‘no.’ It’s always ‘let’s figure it out.’ That kind of support allows us to be creative with our brands.”
For Upland’s team, working with Tennessee Hills has been just as rewarding. The distillery continues introducing new flavors, collaborations, and product launches, making each project an opportunity to support the brand’s evolving vision.
Teresa Robinson, Upland Label, “TN Hills is truly a pleasure to work with. Their team is responsive, easy to collaborate with, and they are focused on producing a great product. We are happy to be a part of that. Partnerships like this make my job fun and rewarding.
Supporting Growth and New Product Launches
Tennessee Hills continues to expand its offerings, including collaborations and new beverage concepts.
One recent example is a cream liqueur collaboration inspired by the iconic Goo Goo Cluster candy, which quickly gained attention in the distillery’s retail space and beyond.
As the company grows into contract packaging and new beverage lines, the Tennessee Hills team continues to rely on partners who can support their evolving ideas and help bring new products to market.
