Thirteen of the Best Wineries in Georgia, USA

by Mary Ann Anderson

From the red clay hills and mountains of Georgia - rich with just the right minerals for growing grapes - have sprung forth a wide variety of vineyards that produce everything from crisp golden chardonnays to intense ruby-hued merlots to slightly quirky fruit and berry blends.

Georgia's winemaking history goes back to the late 19th century, probably even before moonshine became the drink of choice for most good ol' boys, when immigrating Hungarians began the cultivation of grapes for the purpose of winemaking.

The naturally rolling terrain of northwest Georgia provide well-drained soils and steep hillsides idyllic for growing the verdant vines, and the wine industry here flourished until 1907, when Georgia-right smack in the heart of the Bible Belt-voted on full alcohol prohibition and the wineries were forced to shut down.

The wonderful winemaking traditions brought over from the Old World were soon abandoned and essentially forgotten as Hungarians moved to seek their livelihoods elsewhere. By that time, other wineries had also sprung up across Georgia, and their vine-yards also withered away just as fast as the ink dried on the new prohibition laws. Winemaking simply disappeared.

Moonshine then became a permanent fixture in Georgia for the next fifty or sixty years or so. Very few people drank wine, much less became wine connoisseurs or wine snobs. Instead they drank beer, whiskey, and 'shine, and for a time, bootlegging became more of an industry than winemaking.

But today a renaissance of sorts is taking place in the winemaking industry, brought on by the passage of national farm bills in the 1970s and 1980s that allowed wineries to flourish once more.

When Georgia passed its own farm bills, almost immediately two of the oldest wineries, Chateau Elan in Braselton and Habersham Vineyards & Winery, kick-started the grape-growing and wine-production industry that has grown into the multi-million dollar success it is today.

Now a major farm industry, Georgia's wine trails stretch mainly across the northern mountainous section of the state - with one slight anomaly in South Georgia - where years of cool weather, rain, wind and other elements have helped to create ideal conditions for growing vitis vinifera, which are native European bunch grapes, and French-American hybrids, which are European bunch grapes crossed with American bunch grapes.

The anomaly, a small winery named Still Pond near the South Georgia community of Arlington, grows only muscadine varieties of the fruit, as the more hot and humid conditions of the area won't allow the cooler weather vinifera or French-American hybrids to flourish in the area.

But it doesn't matter where in the state the grapes are grown, or whether or not they are muscadine, vinifera, or hybrid, the fact remains that there are now 100-percent Georgia-produced vinos popping up in the finest restaurants and wine boutiques across the state from vineyards such as these:

BlackStock Vineyards in Dahlonega
BlackStock is solely a vineyard that produces only vinifera grapes, with 24,000 vines including Merlot, Viognier, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals. BlackStock also offers "pick your own" opportunities from late summer into autumn. Telephone: 770-983-1371

Chateau Elan in Braselton
Languidly rolling across 3,500 acres, this resort, modeled after a 16th century French Chateau winery, is full service, offering not only award-winning wines, but also bountiful vineyards, a luxurious inn, a European-style spa, a conference center, golf courses, and several restaurants that feature, naturally, Chateau Elan wines. Visit chateauelan.com

Crane Creek Vineyards and Winery in Young Harris
Located high in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the shadows of Brasstown Bald and Brasstown Valley Resort, Crane Creek offers tours and tastings, special activities throughout the year. Visit cranecreekvineyards.com

1810 Country Inn and Winery
Located in Thomson, the winery and restaurant, the perfect complement to the circa-1810 inn, recently opened in the fall of 2004 (the inn originally opened in the 1990s). Visit 1810countryinnandwinery.com

Fox Winery in Social Circle
Open for tours and tastings, the focus here is on special, almost ambrosial wines, including Antebellum Rose, a blend of French-American hybrid and vinifera grapes; Strawberry Shortcake, made from 100-percent strawberries; and Bonny Blueberry, an amusing blueberry-based wine. Telephone 770-787-5402.

Frogtown Cellars in Dahlonega
From outstanding wines to outstanding views to outstanding vineyards, the relatively new Frogtown Cellars in Lumpkin County has become a destination all its own. Visit frogtownwine.com

The Georgia Winery in Ringgold
As the first established farm winery in Georgia-it has been around since 1983-the winery produces a host of award-winning varieties with unusual names like Tailgate Red, Bulldog Red, Chattanooga Blush, and Georgia On My Mind, a crystal-clear white wine. Visit georgiawines.com

Habersham Winery in Helen
Habersham boasts several labels of vino that have won dozens and dozens national and international wine competitions. Visit habershamwinery.com or nacoocheevillage.com

Persimmon Creek Vineyards in Clayton
At one time, this vineyard was an old "homeplace" for moonshine stills located near Lakes Burton, Seed, and Rabun. Now it is a stunning wine estate reminiscent of the French countryside. Visit persimmoncreekwine.com

Still Pond Vineyard and Winery in Arlington
Still Pond once produced peach brandy for weary, exhausted Confederate soldiers returning home from "The War." Located near Albany, the winery produces muscavdine (also known as scuppernong or swamp grape) wines full of robust taste. isit stillpond.com

Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega
Also located in the Frogtown Community in Lumpkin County, this small, stylish, award-winning family operation offers a number of boutique wines.
Visit threesistersvineyards.com

Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Tiger
This farm winery that began with simple apple wines dates back to five generations in the same family. While it has remained small, it produces a number of fine handcrafted award-winning wines. Visit tigerwine.com

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega
Besides offering premium, high quality wines such as estate reds and blended whites, you can join the winemaker for Sunday brunch in the beautiful fieldstone cottage winery. Visit wolfmountainvineyards.com

If You Go:

There are a number of inns and resorts along Georgia's Wine Trail, including Brasstown Valley Resort - its wine list includes almost all of Georgia's wines for one-stop tasting opportunities. For additional information on Georgia's wine industry and other accommodations, visit the Winegrowers Association of Georgia at www.georgiawine.com. Visit Brasstown Valley Resort at www.brasstownvalley.com or call (800) 201-3205.