Wine Tips - Wineries of North Georgia

Georgia Wine Highway "There's Wine in them thar Hills"

We have family in the Atlanta area, so once every few years we take an alternate way home and visit some North Georgia wineries.  There are some surprisingly excellent wines, including dry reds and dry whites, hidden in these mountains.  Many of the wineries are new and hold spectacular views. 

When we made our first trip to wineries in North Georgia, we were not expecting to find much except sweet southern wine.  We were pleasantly surprised at the quality and variety of wines and vineyards available in this unlikely place. 

The mountains of North Georgia are well suited to growing many grape varieties, and the wineries there are making some really good wines.

The Dahlonega and Helen areas are also well-known and worthy tourist areas.

The mountains of North Georgia are well suited to growing many grape varieties, and the wineries there are making some really good wines.  We only have space to write about a couple.  Visit the Winegrowers' Association of Georgia website for great information and map, then visit winery websites and plan a visit the next time you head South.

Listed here are just two of our favorites and what wine we liked best from each. 

Yonah Mountain Vineyards
Located near Sautee, GA.  We arrived just 15 minutes before closing.  The woman at the wine bar was more than happy to stay open longer than closing time for us and gave us a very nice leisurely tasting.  We liked the chardonnay the best.  This rich buttery chardonnay was a pleasant surprise.  Full of fruit and very smooth despite the 14.6% alcohol by volume.  It was aged for 9 months in oak giving it a rich buttery, toasty flavor with hints of lime and tangerine.   Available at the winery for $32.  They provide an on-line order form but we doubt they can ship to Pennsylvania.

Three Sisters Vineyard
Located outside of Dahlonega, GA.  This is a beautiful spot.  We were treated to an excellent tasting at their beautiful tasting bar.  We brought home their 2006 Cynthiana.  This delicious deep red wine is also known as Norton.  It was Georgia’s premier grape back during Thomas Jefferson’s time.  Once again, vineyards are growing this grape.  It has flavors of butterscotch and black cherries.  Available only at the winery for $28.

Other wineries of note are:
    Blackstock Vineyards
    Frogtown Cellars
    Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery
 

UPCOMING EVENTS
(click on the highlighted links)
 
Blues in the Barn
at Pinnacle Ridge
Saturday and Sunday September 11 and 12

Vynecrest Vineyards and Winery

Harvest Weekend

Saturday and Sunday September 11 and 12
Other events almost every Saturday


Calvaresi Winery
Fall Festival
Saturday, September 11
7-11 PM

Manatawny Creek's Last Festival of the Summer
Saturday, September 18
 
MCCC Classes
Wines of PA
Thursday October 14
6:30-9 PM
 
Wines of the Finger Lakes
Thursday, October 28 
6:30-9 PM

Mom's House Benefit Wine Dinner

Saturday, October 23

Five course dinner, each course paired with a different wine.  Kimberton Arts Center  6:30 PM, $75 per person or $525 for a table of 8.

Fun Fact
As of this writing, all 50 states have at least 1 winery.  The USA is the 4th largest wine producer in the world.

 

Congratulations to Bob and Jacki Folwell, winner of the first quiz drawing.

They have chosen one free seat at Mom's House Wine Celebration on October 23.

 

There will be another quiz someday!