Georgia’s Winter Wine Highway Weekend

It’s surprising to many people to discover that Georgia has an award-winning wine industry. While many people still associate muscadine wine with the South, the Winegrowers Association of Georgia is developing a regional identity among wine fanciers throughout the world, with Georgia-grown French-American grapes. You will find very good Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc and Viognier among the offerings at these wineries. The soil and climate in Georgia’s mountains are uniquely suited for grape growing.

Nine wineries in Georgia’s mountains are holding an open house next weekend. Visitors can tour, taste and shop at the Winter Wine Highway Weekend, Dec. 11 – 13. Three days may not be enough to see as much as you’d like to of these mountain wineries, located in Jasper, Tiger, Dahlonega, Young Harris, Clayton and Sautee.

Georgia’s wine highway takes you away from the city, along mountain roads with gorgeous scenery. And while it might seem that they would all run together, each winery has its own personality, as unique as the winemakers. I love the view at Blackstock (see map) the dirt at Persimmon Creek (when you go, you’ll see) the winery at Wolf Mountain (see map)  the drive to Frogtown (see map)- and the bar at Yonah Mountain (see map) which is made of barrel staves. At Habersham Winery (see map) passport holders will be taken to the barrel room for a private tasting of reserve wines and light hor d’oeuvres that are not available to the general public.  I’m betting you’ll remember each and have more than a little trouble deciding which wine you like best.

Pick up a “passport” for $20 at the first winery you visit, then show it for a tasting at each on the tour. There will be drawings for prizes, and each winery has a beautifully designed Christmas ornament you can collect. Many of the Winegrowers Association’s affiliate members have specials as well, such as Glen-Ella Springs Country Inn (see map) which is offering 2 nights lodging, two passports, dinner on Friday and chauffer driven chartered transportation to 3 area wineries. (You can read more about Glenn-Ella in my February post.) For those who don’t want to stay with them but still want to try their delicious food, there’s a wine-centric four-course menu planned for the weekend. The Vines Restaurant in Sautee (see map) has a special wine dinner planned, and some of the wineries are offering special paired meals. You can find these specials listed on the Association’s website.

(Photos courtesy Persimmon Creek Vineyards. Used with permission.)