Are you headed to Georgia’s wine region this year? If so, you may want to stop at one of these five amazing wineries:
Habersham Winery
The Habersham Winery is located in Helen, within the Nacoochee Village. It traditionally offers daily wine tastings and winery tours by appointment. I am a fan of their dessert wine, the Chalet White. It has a pleasing bouquet with a fruity aftertaste. A 750ml bottle of it will tend to cost you around $13. There is also a gift shop on premise where you can pick up some gourmet cheese to go with your wine. Afterwards, you may want to wander through the rest of Nacoochee Village. I’d suggest stopping by the JumpinGoat for a bag of their sinfully good, Arabica coffee.
Three Sisters Vineyards
The Three Sisters Vineyards is located in the Frogtown section of Lumpkin County. It generally opens seasonally. During select times of the year it tends to open Thursday through Sunday and weekdays by reservation. Visitors may enjoy wine tastings and special events in season. If you are looking for a robust wine with cherry undertones, you may want to try a $28 bottle of the 2007 Cynthiana. The Dahlonega Gold is also a superlative choice if you prefer a sweet, white wine. It sells for $30.
Frogtown Cellars
Frogtown Cellars is located in Dahlonega. It produces a wonderful ice wine called Frogtown Cachet 2006. A bottle of it sells for around $23. It has an interesting mouth feel and memorable undertones of sugar. Visitors are welcome to choose from three different wine flights while there. Each flight tends to cost $15. There is also a lovely, onsite eatery that makes a tasty $10 Panini out of apple, ham and gruyere cheese. If you have the time, I’d recommend that you try one. It is heaven on a plate.
Crane Creek Vineyards
Crane Creek Vineyards is located near Young Harris. Visitors are traditionally welcome to enjoy wine tastings year round, Tuesday through Saturday. The cost of a wine tasting is $3 per person. I’d suggest that if given the option you try a glass of the Sweet Sally. It is a wickedly delightful wine with sweet undertones. One of the things that make the winery a stand out in my book is the onsite culinary garden. The winery also hosts special culinary events throughout the year like tapas on Friday evenings. A listing of all the winery’s special events may be found online.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
Tiger Mountain Vineyards is located in Tiger. It offers wine tastings at select times of the year. During the summer months, it tends to host daily tastings as well as periodic special events. Hours of operation vary. There is a charming café that is expected to open on premise in May 2012. One of the wines you may want to try while there is the Touriga Nacional. It is a robust red wine with distinctive berry undertones and a palate pleasing aftertaste.
Killeen Gonzalez enjoys visiting wineries with her family and has traveled extensively.
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