North Georgia Wineries: Explore The Mountains & Local Wine
The beautiful mountains of North Georgia are an idyllic respite from the pace of city life or the humdrum of the everyday. Situated less than two hours outside of Atlanta, the thickly wooded slopes harbor rich, fertile soil, and the balmy mountain climate lends itself perfectly to growing a variety of wine grapes.
Wine lovers rejoice! The days of needing to head to the West Coast or leave the country to sample the best wines are over. Now you can sip the most balanced, full-bodied wines in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
North Georgia wineries have certainly come into their own over the last few decades, producing wines that consistently rank among the best in North America. Visitors spending time in a cozy cabin rental can include a winery tour at one or more of these exquisite vineyards for a truly unique sampling of the area’s fine wines.
North Georgia History Of Wine Making
North Georgia enjoys a cool, temperate climate and rich mountain soil that has provided a perfect environment for wild grape varieties. Winemaking was originally introduced to the region by early settlers in the 1800’s. Though ‘old world’ wine grapes initially struggled to thrive in the southern ‘new world’ environment, growers quickly learned to adapt and appreciate the beautiful native grape varieties that are now used to produce hundreds of unique blends.
Today, Georgia is home to more than 500 grape varieties and Northern Georgia is often touted as the state’s unofficial ‘wine country’. A few of the most popular grapes for producing North Georgia wines include:
- Sapervai
- Rkatsiteli
- Aleksandrouli
- Dzelshavi
- Khikhvi
- Tsitska
- Tsolikouri
- and the famous Vitis Rotundifolia, aka ‘Muscadine’
In 1909, The University of Georgia created the ‘muscadine-breeding program’, an important initiative that continues to thrive and support Georgia’s diverse wine community to this day. As the oldest and largest muscadine-specific grape program in the entire United States, the project continues to grow with extensive labs, testing, and growing facilities.
The future of Georgia wine is bright! The Georgia wine country is home to more than 20 wineries, with a variety of wine styles, new and creative blends and varietals created each season that celebrates and highlights the region’s finest flavors. Several wineries have award-winning blends and labels that compete among the best in the world, and several spots are considered top destinations among wineries along the entire east coast.
Pencil in a trip to a local Georgia winery to sip and savor your way through the mountains!
Fainting Goat Vineyards
Photo Credit: faintinggoatvineyards via Instagram
- Address: 201 Vineyard Way, Jasper, GA 30143
- Phone: (706) 692-9463
- Hours: Monday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday - Saturday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. ; Closed Tuesday - Wednesday
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Fainting Goat Vineyard offers handcrafted wines from conception to crush. Specializing in producing small lots of high-quality, award-winning wine. Visitors will enjoy meeting several fainting goats on the property as well as two Great Pyrenees dogs who are fond of wine drinkers. Fainting Goat Vineyards is also a venue for great live music on the weekends and is dog and kid-friendly so bring the whole family and have a wonderful day at Fainting Goat Vineyards.
Top Picks: Republic Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery
- Address: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 867-9862
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday - Saturday; 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday; Closed Monday - Wednesday
The recipient of more than 200 prestigious awards, this Dahlonega-based winery specializes in both red and white varietals, with a number of sparkling, port, and rosé options to enjoy. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the pristine vineyard grounds and a plethora of on-site tasting options. Wolf Mountain also offers an on-site restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, which provides visitors a chance to sample vintages alongside gourmet meals. If you’re traveling on a weekend, don’t miss out on the vineyard’s famous Sunday brunch!
Top Picks: Claret, Boegner Family Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Instinct, Boegner Family Vintners Reserve Brut Rosé, Plenitude
Three Sisters Vineyards and Winery
Photo Credit: meredithfierce via Instagram
- Address: 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 865-9463
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday - Saturday; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday; Closed Monday - Wednesday
Situated in the hills surrounding Dahlonega, Three Sisters Winery offers limited production wines using North American species like Cynthiana-Norton varietal grapes. Each grape varietal is native to north Georgia, providing an authentic local experience. Enjoy an eclectic variety of merlot, chardonnay, cabernet, and creative proprietary blends during a wine tour and tasting.
Top Picks: Cynthiana, Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc
Frogtown Cellars
Photo Credit: frogtowncellars via Instagram
- Address: 700 Ridge Point Dr, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 865-0687
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Friday - Saturday
This 57-acre vineyard has lovely views of the Appalachian Mountains and produces wines using muscadine, merlot, moscato, and sweet varietals. Several Frogtown varietals have earned significant recognition, including three consecutive Double-Gold Medals at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. Stop by for a quick wine tour and then enjoy a charcuterie plate in the Italian Bistro while you sip and sample the award-winning vintages and enjoy the endless mountain views!
Top Picks: Reserve Nebbiolo, Inclination, Roussanne
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
Photo Credit: sunshine_1192 via Instagram
- Address: 2592 Old 441 S, Tiger, GA 30576
- Phone: (706) 782-4777
- Hours: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday; 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday; Closed Monday
This vineyard nestled in the shadow of Tiger Mountain produces wines from vinifera grapes, which were first introduced into Georgia in 1995. White, red and rosé vintages exhibit the finest of Georgia’s terroir and the vineyard’s dedication to French wine-making techniques, which have earned the vineyard over 250 awards since inception. Be sure to stop by the Red Barn Cafe for a mouthwatering meal featuring locally sourced ingredients that pair perfectly with the seasonal varieties.
Top Picks: Malbec, Petit Manseng, Touriga
Engelheim Vineyards
Photo Credit: engelheimvineyards via Instagram
- Address: 127 Lakeview Rd, Ellijay, GA 30540
- Phone: (706) 635-9463
- Hours: 12:30 - 6 p.m., Tuesday - Sunday; 12:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday; Closed Monday
Engelheim Vineyards focuses on growing outstanding grapes to produce the highest quality of wines. Their objective is to give all glory to God while integrating our German heritage and their Appalachian home. They also hope to honor the original residents of Engelheim, the Cherokee Nation. The owners, Gary and Jan Engel and their family, decided to purchase the land that is now known as Engelheim (German for “Angel Home”) in 2007.
Top Picks: Traminette, Sweet Molly, Petit Manseng
Cavender Creek Vineyards
Photo Credit: jsont77 via Instagram
- Address: 3610 Cavender Creek Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 451-9084
- Hours: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Friday - Saturday
Located near Dahlonega, this innovative winery focuses on red wine varieties, with cabernet sauvignon, muscadine, manseng, and sangrias. Their innovation has paid off, with several of the Cavender Creek proprietary blends earning awards around the nation. Drop by the winery on weekends to sample a variety of vintages in the expansive tasting room, which features a wrap-around porch and live entertainment.
Top Picks: Sancho Panza Red, Petit Manseng, Homestead Red
Ellijay River Vineyards
Photo Credit: amybrummer via Instagram
- Address: 111 River Birch Ln, Ellijay, GA 30540
- Phone: (770) 315-9121
- Hours: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday - Sunday; Closed Monday - Friday
The Ellijay River Vineyards was established in 2010 on almost twenty acres of former cropland, bordering the Ellijay River in the North Georgia mountains. This boutique winery offers small-batch seyval blanc, viognier, albarino, and merlot varietals—to name a few. The property is incredibly scenic and is well worth a weekend visit, with picturesque views of the nearby river and lush mountain flora.
Top Picks: Cabernet Sauvignon, Seyval Blanc, Viognier
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
Photo Credit: yonahmountainvineyards via Instagram
- Address: 1717 Hwy 255 S, Cleveland, GA 30528
- Phone: (706) 878-5522
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday; 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., Sunday
The rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains and the soft, sandy soil provide the perfect setting for the Yonah Mountain Vineyards’ various varieties. Tour the vineyard’s famous wine cave and sample a glass or two of their most prized wines; pinot noir, chardonnay, merlot, and sauvignon blanc are just some of the handcrafted varieties. The winery also hosts live entertainment and special events on weekends!
Top Picks: Sauvignon Blanc, Estate Rose, Estate Meritage, Genesis 9, Young American White Blend
The Cottage Vineyard and Winery
Photo Credit: cady.bryan via Instagram
- Address: 5050 US-129, Cleveland, GA 30528
- Phone: (706) 865-0053
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday - Friday; 12 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday
The Cottage Vineyard and Winery was voted among the top 25 wineries in the United States! This 29-acre winery features an impressive array of wines, including rosé, chardonnay, vidal blanc, malbec, and merlot. The Cottage is also well known for their Sunday sermon, aptly named “Jesus N’ Jeans”; stop by for fellowship and flights each Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.
Top Picks: Cabernet Franc, Vidal Blanc, Expression, Syrah, Viogner
Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery
Photo Credit: wineriesingeorgia via Instagram
- Address: 1862 Orchard Ln, Talking Rock, GA 30175
- Phone: (706) 502-1608
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday; 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday
Located in Talking Rock, this family-run winery boasts favorites like pinot grigio, zinfandel, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, and sweet whites aged in Hungarian oak barrels. Chateau Meichtry Vineyard offers a la carte meats and cheeses for custom charcuterie plates and often hosts live entertainment and vineyard tours on weekends.
Top Picks: The Wanderer, Cyzer, “Stephan” Reserve Cabernet
Kaya Vineyard and Winery
- Address: 5400 Town Creek Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 219-3514
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday; 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday; Closed Monday
Utilizing varietals from Europe and North America, this Dahlonega-based winery grows all grapes on-site, producing a range that includes merlot, chardonnay, rosé, and cabernet sauvignon. On-site events throughout the year include harvest festivals, weddings, car shows, and fun runs—to name a few. Kaya also features on-site wine tours and tastings, and a full tasting dining room that offers light entrees and hors d'oeuvres.
Top Picks: Oak Merlot, Sangiovese Rose, Adama, Oak Trifecta, Merlot Blush
Sharp Mountain Vineyards
- Address: 5400 Town Creek Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 219-3514
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Friday - Sunday; Closed Monday - Thursday
Tucked near the hills of Jasper, Georgia, Sharp Mountain Vineyards and gift shop offers up pinot gris, pinot noir, gewurztraminer, sauvignon blanc, and merlot as just some of its many varieties that are cultivated in the old-world fashion. Grown, fermented and bottled entirely on-site, visitors can also participate in a variety of events throughout the year, such as assisting with the harvest.
Top Picks: Collage, Viognier, Sangiovese, Carrera, Gewurztraminer
Stonewall Creek Vineyards and Winery
- Address: 323 Standing Deer Ln, Tiger, GA 30576
- Phone: (706) 212-0584
- Hours: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday - Monday; Closed Tuesday - Wednesday
Located in a fertile valley near Tiger, Georgia, this artisan winery produces small batches of rosé, Cabernet Franc, manseng, and malbec wines from hand-selected vines growing right on the premises. Stonewall Creek visitors can stop by the tasting room to sample the delectable vintage and enjoy lively on-site entertainment, including live music, corn hole, and bocce ball.
Top Picks: Boriana, Three Eagles, Cabernet Franc
Currahee Vineyard and Winery
- Address: 3301 W Currahee St, Toccoa, GA 30577
- Phone: (706) 768-5383
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday - Sunday; Closed, Monday - Wednesday
Located near the Currahee Mountains of Toccoa, this INDY award-winning winery produces wines using native Georgia mountain varietals. Enjoy a Riesling-like white wine using hybrid grapes or a white muscadine that tastes just like fresh strawberries. Currahee Vineyard also produces a series of wine “slushies” in a variety of flavors, which is the perfect refresher during a hot summer day!
Top Picks: Sunrise, Currahee Red, Currahee Apple Slim
Hightower Creek Vineyards
- Address: 7150 Canaan Dr, Hiawassee, GA 30546
- Phone: (706) 896-8963
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Wednesday - Monday; Closed, Tuesday
From their Hiawassee location, this boutique vineyard produces a number of unpretentious labels featuring red and white wine blends that celebrate the importance of food, fun, and family. Savor Chatuga Red for its heady, deep notes or enjoy the Red Clay Rosé with its blend of merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. Hightower Creek also offers a full tasting room and musical entertainment during events throughout the year.
Top Picks: Trillium, Rose, Cabernet Franc
Habersham Winery
- Address: 7025 S Main St, Helen, GA 30545
- Phone: (706) 878-9463
- Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday - Friday; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday
Near the charming town of Helen is one of Georgia’s oldest and most popular wineries. Featuring a range of wines that include blends of American and European grapes, Habersham’s labels include chardonnay, gewurztraminer, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and rosé. They have tasting rooms in Helen and Dahlonega for visitors to sample their signature wines and take home a commemorative wine glass. It’s not hard to see why visitors and locals consider Habersham one of the best wineries in Georgia!
Top Picks: Scarlett, Cherokee Rose, Signet
Cartecay Vineyards
- Address: 5704 Clear Creek Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536
- Phone: (706) 698-9463
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Monday - Saturday; 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sunday
Located in Ellijay, this winery is situated on a historic farm, with remnants of its original barn serving as a tasting room. The sweet and savory varieties at Cartecay Vineyards feature locally sourced grapes and berries. Highlights of the wine list include a traminette, vidal blanc, cabernet sauvignon, and sweet offerings like the Sassy Sisters. Cartecay Vineyards also hosts the Crush Festival, an annual late-summer event that celebrates wine with live music, fresh food, grape stomping, and more!
Top Picks: Blue Cat, Vidal Blanc, Traminette
Montaluce Winery
- Address: 501 Hightower Church Rd, Dahlonega, GA 30533
- Phone: (706) 867-4060
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday - Thursday; 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday - Saturday
Stop by this Tuscan-inspired winery for a tour of the grounds or simply to sample a variety of their signature vintages. Offering brut, mead, rosé, pinot grigio, vidal blanc, and sauvignon blanc among their many labels, Montaluce Winery also features an on-site restaurant for the perfect accompaniment to a wine tasting. Complimentary vineyard wine tours are offered daily throughout the week, and ‘wine hikes’, which include a 1.5-hour hike with the winemaker and 5 wine samples, are available on weekends.
Top Picks: Seyval Blanc, Tempranillo, Petite Sirah
Boutier Winery
- Address: 4506 Hudson River Church Rd, Danielsville, GA 30633
- Phone: (706) 789-0059
- Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Friday - Sunday; Closed, Monday - Thursday
This award-winning Danielsville winery offers wines spanning from dry reds to crisp whites to sweet dessert vintages—and everything in between. Try their blueberry or peach wines for something different or savor a bright Riesling or a deep cabernet sauvignon with Georgia-grown grapes. And, if you’re looking for entertainment, Boutier Winery is just the place! This bustling venue hosts several events throughout the week, including ‘Wine Down Sundays’, ‘Ladies Night’, ‘Line Dance Lessons’, and more!
Top Picks: Absolutely Sinful, Cabernet Sauvignon, Peach O Peno
12 Spies Vineyards
- Address: 550 Black Branch Rd, Rabun Gap, GA 30568
- Phone: (706) 490-0890
- Hours: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Thursday; 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., Friday - Saturday; 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday
Nestled between the North East Mountains and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, 12 Spies Vineyards creates some of the finest dry wines in Northern Georgia. A rare find in the sweet Muscadine country, this boutique winery specializes in cabernet franc, malbec, tannat, and traminette varieties. In addition to palate-pleasing vinos, 12 Spies also hosts lively events, like live music and pizza night. Wine, pizza, and mountain views—what more could you need?
Top Picks: Temptation Traminette, Veranda Viognier, Creation Catawaba
With so many great North Georgia wineries to choose from, you’ll love tasting your way through the Blue Ridge Mountains on your next getaway. Best suited for a romantic holiday or a girls trip, you’ll hardly be able to believe you're just a few hours from Atlanta while you're sipping up the mountain views.