Every wine region has its grape-growing challenges, but winemakers in North Georgia have a particularly demanding set — which only makes us appreciate their fortitude even more! If you’ve never taken a road trip to the wineries of North Georgia, you’re in for a treat. This guide doesn’t cover every winery — Georgia Wine Producers lists more than 200 members, after all — but it’s a taste of what you can look forward to (organized by location), from small-lot producers with intimate tasting rooms to large venues with jaw-dropping mountain views and fun, interactive event offerings. Grape stomp, anyone?
We’ve organized this list by location, starting with areas that boast the highest concentration of wineries on the list!
DAHLONEGA, GA
Montaluce Vineyard and Winery
Montaluce Vineyard and Winery is a Dahlonega winery that pays homage to Tuscan aesthetics, decor, and grape varieties. Be sure to check out the schedule for weekend wine hikes at Montaluce!
Limoges Cellars
At Limoges Cellars, owners Daniel and Kristina Limoges push creative limits, making a Blanc du Pommes (a dry and delicious sparkling wine made from apples), a single-varietal Albariño, a Spanish grape variety, and they are currently testing a sparkling Lambrusco. The vineyard, planted in 2018, occupies 37 acres near the Dahlonega Plateau, one of two American Viticultural Areas in Georgia. Limoges nurtures three experimental rows for grape trials, including Nebbiolo, Tannat, and Teroldego, in pursuit of full-bodied reds. This is a place to savor exciting new wines for this region.
Accent Cellars
Chasity Cooper details how elevation, sun exposure, and well-draining soil have made this region a star for Georgia wine in this story. Here, Tristan Vanhoff owns Accent Cellars alongside his brother Tyler Barnes, the resident winemaker, and his wife Katie. Accent is a “micro-urban winery” with a lively events calendar and a diverse wine portfolio. It’s possible to taste wine here seven days a week.
Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery
While in Dahlonega, visit Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery, opened by Claire Livingston in 2015 and situated on 15 acres. Four of those acres are planted with Norton, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Manseng, and Petit Verdot. There are also some lovely lodging options available.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Wolf Mountain Vineyards opened in 2002 and is one of the region’s top-tier wineries producing Georgia-grown wines. The tasting room at Wolf Mountain offers a 360-degree view of both vineyards and mountains within a space featuring all-natural materials like stone and cedar and a chic four-sided bar. Wines including Plenitude and Chanteloup, both blends of Chardonnay and Viognier, two dry rosés, and Rhône-style red blends. There is also a program for Méthode Champenois, or the traditional method of sparkling wine.
Frogtown Cellars
Founded in 1998, Frogtown Cellars has often been a medalist in prestigious national wine competitions. Both Frogtown and Wolf Mountain have a gravity-flow system, where each level of the winery plays a role in the process — from grape crush to aging.
Kaya Vineyard and Winery
Kaya Vineyard and Winery, one of the first and largest vineyards in the area, is positioned at greater than 1,600 feet in elevation and offers striking mountain views. Estate specialties are sparkling wine made from Chardonnay, the most abundantly planted crop on the estate. There are also luxury cottages on site.
Three Sisters Vineyards and Winery
Inspired by the surrounding Three Sisters Mountain, Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery is a 184-acre farm winery between Dahlonega, Cleveland, and Helen. This winery, originated by Sharon and Doug Paul in 1995, is dedicated to producing estate-grown Georgia wines showcasing Cynthiana (or Norton), Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Vidal Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and other varieties. Mountain views from the barn, gazebo, and patio are all enchanting and serene.
CLEVELAND, GA
CeNita Vineyards, Winery, and Tasting Room
CeNita Vineyards, Winery, and Tasting Room opened in 2015 in Cleveland, GA. Greg and Carol Crumley planted vines in 2008, and the winery is named for Greg’s parents. This is an excellent option for red wine drinkers, with wines made from Chambourcin (a hybrid) and Cabernet Franc, among others.
The Cottage Vineyard and Winery
Also in Cleveland, take in breathtaking scenery at The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, where estate-grown Viognier is bursting with floral notes, and Seyval Blanc is light-bodied and crisp. A popular wine, Southern Sass, integrates another beloved Georgia crop, peaches. This is a great place to take in the sunset!
Serenity Cellars
Serenity Cellars in Cleveland celebrates Italian grape varieties, prioritizing red blends and cultivating bold reds from Napa-grown grapes.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
The scenery is also spellbinding at Yonah Mountain Vineyards, where 20 acres of vines drape the hills at the base of Yonah Mountain. Bob and Jane Miller purchased the land, a former farm, in 2005, and the winery is managed by their son, Eric. Jane Miller is the president of the board of directors of the Georgia Wine Producers. Yonah Mountain Vineyards winemaker Tristan Vanhoff brings expertise from his time at many other Georgia wineries, including the next two on our list!
At Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Tristan builds complex wines from estate-grown varieties like Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and others, alongside wines made from grapes sourced outside the region. Put next year’s annual August CrushFest on the calendar; a VIP ticket allows guests to taste some unreleased wines, gaining a richer understanding of the grape growing, winemaking, and barrel and bottle aging processes.
BLUE RIDGE, GA
Bear Claw Vineyards
If you are inclined to sweet and semi-sweet wines, head to the Blue Ridge Treehouse at Bear Claw Vineyards in Blue Ridge, GA, for breathtaking views and serene bubbling springs.
Mercier Orchards
If you’re a hard apple cider wine fan, make your way to Mercier Orchards. Mercier’s also offers tastings of many locally produced Georgia wines.
Serenberry Vineyards
Serenberry Vineyards, also a farm winery, is a few miles from downtown Blue Ridge. The Tasting Barn dates from the 1920s, and sweet, dry, and full-bodied wines are available.
HELEN, GA
Habersham Winery
Helen, a small town of 525 in northeast Georgia, is renowned for its likeness to a Bavarian village, with a downtown designed mainly by artist John Kollock in 1960. As such, it might not resonate as a wine region at first glance. According to Executive Director of the Alpine Helen White County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jerry Brown, Helen might be best known as home to the longest Oktoberfest in the world, which runs from the first week of September through the end of October. However, Georgia’s second oldest winery, Habersham Winery, has been producing wines since 1983, with plantings dating from the late 1970s.
Sweet Acre Farms Winery
If grabbing a bite in downtown Helen, pop into Sweet Acre Farms Winery for fruit wines made from peaches, watermelon, apples, and more.
Fox Winery
Fox Winery in downtown Helen offers tastings from three Georgia wineries, and it’s the place to be if you’re a sangria fan!
SAUTEE NACOOCHEE, GA
Creekstone Winery
Habersham’s owners have also recently opened Creekstone Winery in nearby Sautee Nacoochee. Winemaker Craig Boyd works with common grapevines and hybrid grapes like Chardonel and Traminette. One specialty is a sparkling Muscadine wine called Southern Harvest. Creekstone boasts a pretty and expansive French mansion on a mountain near Hardman Farm State Historic Site, the Historic Nacoochee Village, and the Old Sautee Store (the oldest general store in Georgia, dating from 1872!). The word “Sautee” comes from the Cherokee word for “Racoon People,” while “Nacoochee” comes from the Cherokee word meaning “bear.”
Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars
Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars in Sautee Nacoochee offers exceptional and stylish lodging options and produces Twisted Wines, which run the gamut from Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel to a reserve, long-aged Malbec.
ELLIJAY, GA
Roo Mountain Vineyards
Consider checking out Roo Mountain Vineyards in Ellijay, further west of Dahlonega and Helen. As the site boasts, “There’s always something to do at The Roo!” Check out the events calendar to match your trip to events like Lowcountry boils, live music, and visiting food trucks.
CLARKESVILLE, GA
Terra Incognita
Terra Incognita Vineyards in Clarkesville, just southeast of Helen, is a 20-minute drive from Tallulah Gorge State Park and Tallulah Falls. Drive a U.S. Forest Service Road uphill to the tasting room and be rewarded with stunning views and access to two loop trails — the Eastern Creek Loop and the Spring House Loop. Many wines here are blends between Vitis vinifera and hybrids, and there is also a sparkling Muscadine in the lineup!
TIGER, GA
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
One of the oldest Georgia vineyards, Tiger Mountain Vineyards is an award-winning, internationally recognized boutique winery with a view. The property is perched at 2,000 feet, offering the ideal terroir for particular grapes. The grapes are harvested by hand, and old-world style winemaking reigns.
YOUNG HARRIS, GA
Crane Creek Vineyards
On the North Carolina border, check out Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris. Of course, you can sip and savor at the tasting room, but don’t forget to stop by the Farmhouse Market for gourmet gifts and goodies, too!
GETTING AROUND
Wherever your North Georgia wine tour takes you, travel safely. Explore this region’s winding mountain roads with VIP Southern Wine Tours as owner Charles Ernst and team pepper the ride with tidbits of local history and insider tips about the region’s wineries and eateries. North Georgia Wine Tours offers transport to and from Atlanta.
Here’s to savoring the journey — cheers!
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