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You may not have considered Georgia a wine country, but maybe you should. North Georgia is home to the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a prime destination for nature lovers. Thanks to the geography of these mountain ranges, it is also home to North Georgia wine. This makes it a destination for wine lovers, too.
Keep reading to learn more about Georgia wine country. Let’s dive in!
Where Is Georgia Wine Country?
So, how does one get to Georgia wine country? Head to northern Georgia. Resting at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgia wine country expands from the plains into the mountains. At around 100 miles from Chattanooga or Atlanta, it’s a quick getaway.
With more than a dozen unique wineries throughout Northern Virginia within quaint towns like Cleveland, Tiger, Dahlonega, and more, Georgia wine country is not only full of beauty; it’s full of flavor.
Is North Georgia Wine Good?
If you’re looking for a California-flavored wine, you should go to California. The climate and soil play a significant part in how the grapes taste in each region. Many of us know how California wines taste. Why not try something different? It’s time to take a trip to the other wine capital. Some like to call it “Nappalachia.”
With over 50 wineries in Georgia, most in Northern Georgia, Nappalachia makes sense. When visiting a local region, you should sample the local wares. With the terroir—the soil and the climate—of Georgia’s mountain regions comes sweet wines like muscadine.
Your taste buds will bathe in wines like Traminette, an acidic white wine similar to a Riesling or a Chambourcin. Another unique flavor from Georgia is the Blanc du Bois, identical to a Sauvignon blanc.
So, are the wines good in Georgia wine country? We think so. The Georgia soil cultivates delicious wine.
Best Wineries in Northern Georgia
You know the wine will be good. You know where Georgia wine country is. But how do you know where to start a North Georgia wine tour? Simple. We have some of the best wineries in Northern Georgia right here.
From mountain wineries to small-town wineries, urban chic to vast vineyards, you’ll find plenty to explore when visiting North Georgia’s wine country.
Chateau Meichtry
Location: 1862 Orchard Ln, Talking Rock, GA 30175
About: The beautiful hills of Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains are home to Chateau Meichtry, a family-owned and operated winery and vineyard providing customers with an unrivaled wine experience. On weekends at the vineyard, they bring live music with gourmet food trucks to pair perfectly with your glass of Georgia wine.
They also host many events like private tastings, community races, and more, giving everyone a unique experience each time they visit. If you’re looking for a stunning place to spend a night or two, Chateau Meichtry offers villa rentals for cozy gatherings.
Best Features: Sitting in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chateau Meichtry offers views like no other. Gazing at the rolling hills with a glass of wine is a relaxing pastime.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery
Location: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, GA 30533
About: Georgia wine country is full of delightful surprises, and Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery fits the bill! A mere five miles from Dahlonega in the North Georgia Mountain foothills, this destination offers award-winning wines from grapes that grow at 1,800 feet elevation on the Dahlonega Plateau.
What’s more, you can sample these delectable wines with delicious cuisine. Stay for their weekend cafe lunches, Sunday brunch, and gourmet dinners. With over 200 medals so far, Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery offer a vineyard experience unlike any other.
Best Features: Enjoy bottles of fine wines from their collection of estate wines. While they have award-winning red and white wines, they are also famous for their cuisine. Don’t miss an opportunity to have one of their special Gourmet Winemaker Dinners.
The Cottage Vineyard and Winery
Location: 5050 US-129, Cleveland, GA 30528
About: The Cottage Vineyard & Winery is in Georgia’s beautiful wine country, on 29 acres of mountainside terrain in Cleveland. Onsite, there are seven varieties of grapes for wines, including white, red, and sweet varietals. There’s something to please any taste.
You can explore the property, take a tour led by one of their knowledgeable guides, or relax and enjoy live music. The Cottage Vineyard & Winery is a place to spend the day with family and friends. Since it is family-owned and operated, you know you’re always getting top-notch quality with excellent customer service. They want you to feel like you’ve come home.
Best Features: Small-batch wine production is the goal. With all the grapes for their wines from in their vineyards, quality is of the highest importance.
Crane Creek Vineyards
Location: 1040 Crane Creek Rd, Young Harris, GA 30582
About: Georgia wine country is abundant with beauty, and Cane Creek Vineyards in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is no exception. Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak, casts its shadow across the grounds.
The owner took inspiration from Italy after staying there during his service in the Army. He crafted every detail of this Georgia wine country destination for a relaxed and comfortable experience.
At Cane Creek Vineyards, they firmly believe that genuine appreciation for wine comes when you share it with food, friends, and family. Come for the tours, the views, and the wines, but stay for the enjoyment of it combined.
Best Features: The vineyard grounds are also home to attractions like The Farmhouse Market. It has many beautiful items for sale. Stop by Paris & Company for a lovely dining experience. They designed everything to help visitors appreciate Georgia’s incredible wines in the best possible way.
Cartecay Vineyards
Location: 5704 Clear Creek Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536
About: Cartecay Vineyards is a North Georgia wine tour destination. Just outside Ellijay in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, this picturesque estate hosts fourteen acres of grape vines.
Here, they grow, make, and bottle all their delicious wines. Varietals include Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Norton (Cynthiana), Catawba, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Chardonel.
Weekends feature live music from some of North Georgia’s favorite performers, and you can take your time browsing the tasting barn or kick back with a bottle of your choice in one of the many picnic sites. They also have a peaceful hammock area for lazy afternoons.
Best Features: The setting is one of their best features, and so is their tasting barn. The barn is the original structure from the original farm in 1890. They refurbished it to house a unique tasting room. It retains its original charm and provides the perfect setting for enjoying a glass of Georgia wine.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
Location: 2592 Old 441 S, Tiger, GA 30576
About: If you’re looking for an unforgettable North Georgia wine tour, Tiger Mountain Vineyards is the place to start. Featuring estate-grown grapes and award-winning small-batch wines, it’s excellent for casual wine tasting or a unique estate and cellar tasting.
In addition to their wines, they offer flatbread pizzas, sandwiches, charcuterie boards, and even refreshing wine slushies on hot summer days. You can enjoy live music on weekends while enjoying the stunning views from their charming patio or interior.
Best Features: The terroir is an integral component of the flavors of wines. While Tiger Mountain Vineyards prides itself on its Georgian-crafted wine, it is also proud of its innovation. They are the first in the region to establish European vines in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Hightower Creek Vineyards
Location: 7150 Canaan Dr, Hiawassee, GA 30546
About: Hightower Creek Vineyards is the perfect destination for a North Georgia wine tour. From its cozy atmosphere to its uniquely-crafted wines and meads, this family-run winery offers an unparalleled experience in North Georgia. No matter what wine you’re looking for, they provide reds, whites, and meads from local fruits.
On Saturdays, they offer live music, adding to the charming ambiance of the vineyard. They also hold special events throughout the year. Friends and family can come together under one roof and share delicious wines.
Best Features: Sourcing grapes from their vineyards and neighboring vineyards, the wines are a genuine local collaboration. That is what makes this North Georgia winery something special. They combine those who love good wine with the perfect setting.
Cavender Creek Vineyards
Location: 3610 Cavender Creek Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
About: Cavender Creek Vineyards is a small farm winery with genuine southern hospitality. Step inside their cozy tasting room, and you’ll immediately feel at home. Snag a seat in the rocking chairs to help rock away the afternoon.
You’ll find their Georgia-made wines, craft beer options, wine slushies, sangrias, and more. For an even longer stay on the property, don’t miss out on booking a night’s stay in their 200-year-old log cabin or quaint cottage.
Best Features: Georgia’s wine country is a playground for adults. But what about adults with children? Cavender Creek has a playground and an open lawn area for running and playing. They also have slushies just for kids. This winery is for the entire family.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
Location: 1717 Hwy 255 S, Cleveland, GA 30528
About: Nestled at the base of Georgia’s magnificent Yonah Mountain, Yonah Mountain Vineyards is the perfect place to sip and savor award-winning Georgia wines. This 200-acre family winery has 20 acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot varietals.
This winery also emphasizes sustainability. They have solar panels to generate power for their building and low-power LED lighting for their grounds. There are also beehives for locally-sourced honey.
Best Features: One of the best features is their monthly intimate tasting program. Participating in this event includes their wines, other wines from around the world, a gourmet tasting, and a charcuterie pairing.
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Stonewall Creek Vineyards
Location: 323 Standing Deer Ln, Tiger, GA 30576
About: Georgia wine country has beautiful vineyards, and Stonewall Creek Vineyards is one of the most stunning. Nestled at the base of Glassy Mountain, the vineyard offers spectacular views and a tranquil atmosphere. It all began with a cabin, a barn, and 6 acres, but today the vineyard includes 3,000 vines of varying types.
The tasting room is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine and stunning views. As you sip your wine, you can also enjoy charcuterie boards from a local market. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty and the wine.
Best Features: The research that began at Stonewall Creek Vineyards is a massive part of what makes this vineyard one of the best in the region. Georgia’s first full-time viticulture (the cultivation of grapes) specialist began fruit-zone management test plots here.
It now works with them and other Georgia vineyards on irrigation management. Not only is the setting beautiful, but you’ll also experience the taste of the wine from a vineyard with love for the land.
Is a North Georgia Wine Tour Worth It?
With the Appalachian Mountains at its doorstep and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains nearby, a North Georgia wine tour is worth your time.
The wide varieties of reds, whites, and sweet wines, alongside live music and stunning scenery, will draw you in. It’s no wonder that people fondly call this region of Georgia Nappalachia. It is a name worthy of its heritage.
Will you take a tour through North Georgia wine country?
