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: Jose Calsina

• 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

Engelheim Vineyards

• 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

Ellijay River Vineyards

• 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

The Cottage Vineyard and Winery

Photo Credit: DavideAngelini

• 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: AJPhotouniverse

• 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

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

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

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.