|
MAIN
Wines
North America
USA
Georgia
Georgia Wine
Tours
Old Vines & Southern Hospitality
 Georgia
is quickly becoming one of the the hot spots in the USA for tours of vineyards and wineries.
The Peach State may have only recently started
to get wide recognition for the wine that is produced by local winemakers, but the tradition of
wine production in Georgia goes back to before the first European settlements in the area.
Between 1525 and 1646, Spaniards
came to explore the savannas and the foothills of the Appalachian mountains in the area that would
one day be Georgia. They were introduced to wines made with Native American vines cultivated by
the Cherokee and Creek Indians.
Two centuries
later the area became a new home to English settlers. Led by James
Edward Oglethorpe, who founded the colony of Georgia, the colonists
tried to introduce European grapevines as to the area. Unfortunately,
mysterious New World diseases and indigenous insects doomed the
experiment.
Hungarian
settlers from up North brought European style winemaking back to the region, but the new wine
industry suffered under the Georgia Prohibition Act of 1907. Most of the vineyards were converted
to peach and tomato farms and it seemed that wine and Georgia would never be a good match.
In the 1970s there was a new surge of growth
with family vineyards opening new wineries and welcoming guests to sample the fine wine and warm
Southern hospitality. The new breed of Georgia vintners successfully work with European grapes,
French-American hybrids and Native American muscadines to produce many award winning wines.
Although the production of wine in Georgia is not new, the modern industry has started creating
a buzz among wine connoisseurs. The acclaim the wines are receiving has spurred the development
of new vineyards in recent years.
The Peach State, long associated with moonshine,
is becoming a celebrated place to produce top wines from the traditional sweet muscadine vines
and from premium hybrid and European wine grapes as well.
“Georgia’s
Wine Country” stretches from Savannah to Young Harris. Fruit wines, muscadines, American
and European wine grapes are grown all over Georgia. Wine critics are discovering what natives
have known all along... Georgia makes some mighty fine wines.
Wine tasting tours have emerged throughout
the state due to the popularity of various Georgia-grown vintages, and this new form of agri-tourism
is drawing visitors to Georgia's many vineyards in droves. Find out more and map out your own
wine tour to these top wineries...
1810
Country Inn & Winery
(800) 515-1810
Nestled away in a 66-acre plantation in Thomson, the 1810 Winery is a north Georgia treasure. Specializing
in handcrafted wines made from 100 percent Georgia-grown wine grapes, visitors come for the day
and enjoy tours and tastings or make it a weekend affair and relax in the amenities of the Country
Inn.
Château Élan Winery
& Resort
(800) 233-WINE (9463) or (678) 425-0900.
Within the sweeping panorama of the north Georgia foothills, just 40 minutes north of Atlanta but
a world away from the bustling city, is Georgia's largest winery, Château Élan. The winery combines
tradition and modern technology, turning winemaking into an art and science. Their winemakers have
come from generations of French, German and American wine families, blending the best of the old
ways with the best of the new. Each year, Château Élan Winery & Resort produces an average of 40,000
cases of wine on its 75 acres and offers complimentary winery tours and tastings daily (except Christmas).
Guests may join an expert guide as they tour the winemaking facility, cask room and bottling area
and conclude the trip with a wine tasting. Private and group tours and tastings are available by
request and must be prearranged.
Courson's
Winery
coursonswinery@yahoo.com
(706) 444-0616 or (866) 830-0619
Courson's Winery is situated 10 miles from downtown Sparta and boasts 14 different traditional
Southern wines. Starting a new tradition, Courson's held its inaugural wine festival in 2004,
which drew more than 1,500 connoisseurs. Open every day, enthusiasts and novices alike are invited
to experience the ambiance and sweet tastes of Courson's Winery.
Crane
Creek Vineyards
(706) 379-1236
Crane Creek Vineyards is located in Towns County on the historic Bryson homestead. The microclimate
of the dry days and cool mountain nights coupled with the well-drained mineral soils allows Crane
Creek to cultivate grapes that produce complex wines with fresh, assertive aromas and concentrated
flavors. Visit the tasting room and relax on vineyard decks; sample and purchase wines crafted at
Crane Creek; or try wines from other regional Georgia wineries.
Frogtown Cellars
(706) 865-0687
In 1998, native Atlantans Craig and Cydney Kritzer founded Frogtown in a location carefully selected
for quality wine grape production and outstanding mountain views, the Frogtown District of Lumpkin
County. Frogtown is a 50-acre wine estate located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains in Dahlonega.
It is, indeed, a town in itself as it encompasses 28 acres of vineyards and a tri-level winery specifically
designed to produce the unique wines made from Frogtown grapes. Today, it is home to 26 acres of
vineyards planted with 14 different wine grape varieties, both red and white. The Kritzer family
invites wine enthusiasts and novices alike to relax on their deck with a glass of Frogtown wine
and enjoy the views overlooking their vineyards, lake and the scenic north Georgia mountains.
Fox Vineyards & Winery
(770) 787-5402 or contact
by e-mail
Their signature Scarlet Fox, a sweet cabernet, isn't the only thing drawing connoisseurs to Fox
Vineyards & Winery. Since 1983, wine production, tours and tastings have enticed visitors from throughout
the country to the quaint town of Social Circle. Just four miles from the famous Blue Willow Inn,
Fox Vineyards offers 13 different award-winning vintages.
Habersham
Vineyards & Winery
(706) 878-9463 or (770) 983-1973
Some of Georgia's finest wine is produced at Habersham Vineyards & Winery, which is located one-half
mile south of Alpine Helen in Nacoochee Village. Since its inception in 1983, Habersham wines have
been awarded more than 100 medals in both national and international competitions. The winery is
open daily for complimentary tastings and self-guided tours. In addition to a large selection of
Georgia-grown and -produced wines, the tasting room also features a gift shop with gourmet foods
and wine specialty gift items.
Meinhardt Vineyards & Winery
(770) 878-5402
Wine has always been a family affair for the Meinhardts, having dabbled in winemaking as a hobby
for more than 15 years. Their pastime became a reality in the fall of 2004 when Kenneth, Jan and
their son opened Meinhardt Vineyards & Winery. From their tasty wine to the scenic beauty of their
property, people throughout southeast Georgia have embraced the area's first winery. Everyone is
welcome for complimentary tastings and tours Thursday through Sunday.
Paulk Vineyards
(877) 583-2880
As cotton farming became less profitable in the 1970s, Jacob Paulk transitioned his investment into
his first muscadine grape vine. Muscadines, American wild grapes, are native to the Southeast and
thus well adapted to the warm, humid conditions of the region and have proved to be a very successful
investment for the Paulks. In fact, Paulk Vineyards has been instrumental in developing the commercial
muscadine grape market and is a pioneer in developing muscadine grape dietary supplements. Today,
the vineyard is the largest grower of muscadine grapes in the world and offers wines, juices and
other heart-healthy dietary supplements to its guests. In addition to purchasing wines and Paulk
products, visitors to the vineyard can take part in the fun of picking their own fresh muscadines.
Persimmon Creek Vineyards
(706) 212-7380
Persimmon Creek Vineyards, owned by Dr. Sonny Hardman and his wife Mary Ann, is a 55-acre estate
nestled in the northeast Georgia mountains in Clayton. Established in the fall of 2000, this cool-climate,
botanical gem currently has 14 acres planted in premium wine grapes, which include Riesling, Merlot,
Cabernet Franc and Seyval Blanc varieties. Planted along the banks of the rippling Persimmon Creek,
the vineyards are immaculately maintained and flow with the natural contour of the mountainous landscape.
The winery is a blend of old-world tradition and state-of-the-art technology with manual pressing,
fermentation in custom-made stainless steel tanks and aging in French oak barrels. With their first
vintage, their Riesling took a bronze medal at the 2004 Atlanta Wine Summit.
Still Pond Vineyard
(800) 475-1193
Take a tour, stroll through the vineyard or enjoy a glass of wine
from the comfort of a custom-made rocking chair -- all at Still
Pond Vineyard, the largest commercial vineyard in the state. Complimentary
tastings of the five Still Pond wines as well as samplings of other
north Georgia wines are also flavorsome options at the vineyard.
Bring the entire family to Arlington and enjoy a picnic in the fresh
air.
Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery
(706) 865-9463
Founded in 1996 by Sharon and Doug Paul, Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery encompasses more than
180 acres in rural Lumpkin County near the historic gold mining town of Dahlonega. The vineyards
feature more than 8,000 premium wine grape vines, including vitis vinifera, French-American and
Native American varietals covering 13-plus acres. Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Touriga and
Chardonnay as well as the French-American hybrid, Vidal Blanc, and the East Coast's popular Native
American varietal, Norton, comprise the offerings at Three Sisters. Tourists and wine enthusiasts
flock to Three Sisters Vineyards' tastings, tours and other fun, romantic events.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
(706) 782-4777
Tiger Mountain Vineyards is a small farm winery specializing in handcrafted wines using traditional
European methods. It is nestled on a hillside in Rabun County, on the rocky, sunny slopes of the
north Georgia mountains in an old creamery in Tiger. Started by the Stacks and Ezzard families in
1995, these two couples remain personally involved in every aspect of the grape growing and wine
making business, from planning and planting to blending and bottling. Wines from the Tiger Mountain
Vineyard continue to evolve in response to changing conditions, preferences and tastes. A few of
the best wines are made from the Cabernet Franc — the ‘99 Cabernet Franc received a gold
medal from the American Wine Society, Norton and Touriga Nacional grape varieties.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery
(706) 867-9862
Located just five miles north of the historic town square of Dahlonega, Wolf Mountain Vineyards
& Winery represents a 25-acre, family-owned wine growing estate. Overlooking the pastoral hillside
vineyards of Wolf Mountain, the winery offers a beautiful, unique venue for business and social
entertaining. This land is home to plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre and Touriga
Nacional. Keeping these crop yields low, the owners are able to produce an exclusive set of elegant,
handcrafted wines for the enjoyment of their visiting connoisseurs.
About the Author...
Chiff.com Editorial Staff
Source: ARA Content; other referenced online sites.
Related Web Resources
• Georgia
Wine Highway
• Georgia
Wine Tastings & Dinners
also see -> Georgia
Beaches | Georgia
Fall Foliage
Georgia Tourist
Attractions | Georgia
Wines
|
