North Georgia Wineries to Visit This Summer

Georgia's On Our Mind This Summer!

There are many wonderful reasons to visit the southern state of Georgia this summer.  While your first thought may be historic towns like Savannah or the beaches in the Golden Isles, sipping and swirling your way through the north Georgia wineries is certainly something to consider. 

While Georgia might be more famous for craft beer and its historic moonshine, Georgia's wine industry is burgeoning in the northern, more mountainous part of the state. Northern Georgia is an incredible place to relax this summer. It's an area filled with stunning natural beauty, plenty of things to do, quaint towns to explore, and, of course, delicious wine at north Georgia wineries. 

North Georgia wineries are best known for their Muscadet and fruit wines, which makes sense given that Georgia is the Peach State.  However, there are plenty of other wine varietals produced here, too, which will round out your tasting adventure perfectly. 

With domestic travel on the rise this summer, there's no better partner to travel with than Select Registry. Stretching from the Dahlonega area in the south to Clayton in the north, there are 4 Select Registry properties to choose from in Georgia's wine country, each offering its own unique taste of the north Georgia mountains. If Georgia's on your mind, it's time to Select your getaway!

10 Best North Georgia Wineries

Just a couple of hours north of Atlanta, you'll find yourself immersed in the state's mountainous wine country, home to a delightful range of North Georgia wineries. Wine grapes have long been grown in this part of the state, but it wasn't until the 1990s and early 2000's that North Georgia wineries began to garner the attention of wine lovers around the world.

The wines enjoyed here are certainly unique and full of flavor.  In fact, many of the wines you'll taste at North Georgia wineries are not sold anywhere else, and thus only available when visiting or buying from local tasting rooms. We've compiled a representative list of what we think are 10 of the best North Georgia wineries for you to visit this summer.

1. The town of Dahlonega is at the heart of North Georgia's wine country.  It's there that you'll find Kaya's Winery atop a beautiful ridge 1,600 feet above elevation.  From there, you'll enjoy an exquisite panoramic mountain view while sipping their delicious wines.
2. If you're looking for North Georgia wineries with a pedigree, don't miss the award-winning Wolf Mountain Vineyards. They've earned themselves best-in-class status and gold medals from California wine competitions. Though their wine is impeccable, the views from their vineyard will take your breath away, with unobstructed views over the North Georgia mountains.
3. There are a number of great North Georgia wineries near the town of Helen including Yonah Mountain Vineyards. This gem of a winery is frequently listed as a favorite in the area, thanks mostly to its delicious wines, but also its inspiring mountain view. Wines enjoyed there include chardonnay, merlot, malbec, pinot noir, and sauvignon blanc, but the wine cave tour is the true star of the show.
4. Monteluce Winery in Dahlonega is a Tuscan-inspired winery that is absolutely worth the visit.  After your tasting, make sure you stay for dinner at Le Vigne, their Tuscan-inspired restaurant that overlooks the vineyard.
5. Head to The Cottage Vineyard and Winery near Cleveland, where you'll enjoy a wonderful variety of wines and even more beautiful views of the North Georgia mountains.
6. Cavender Creek Vineyards is as much a farm as it is a winery, which is of course part of their charm. While there, don't miss your opportunity to try their Donkey Hotie wine, named after their donkey, Hotie (pun definitely intended). 
7. 12 Spies Vineyards has a range of wines suitable for every palate and offers stunning views of the North East Mountains to the west and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to the east. The sunsets are spectacular, too.
8. Habersham Winery is one of the oldest North Georgia wineries, and it's located in Nacoochee Village near the town of Helen. Their award-winning wines are as delicious as the views are pretty.
9. Crane Creek Vineyards tasting room is situated in an 1886 Appalachian farmhouse, and offers a comprehensive wine tasting experience, including tours, for avid wine enthusiasts. 
10. Tiger Mountain Vineyards is a wonderful place to enjoy a great wine tasting experience, without the busy crowds you'll find at other North Georgia wineries. They also host a variety of wonderful events throughout the year, making it a fun summer adventure. 

More Things to do in Northern Georgia

While wine tasting at the top North Georgia wineries should certainly be on your list when visiting this area, it's not the only reason to head to this mountainous region.  North Georgia is beautiful and filled with things to do and see.  Here are just a few of our favorite things to do in northern Georgia this summer: 

1. Chase waterfalls throughout the northern part of Georgia. The most popular of these is Tallulah Falls at Tallulah Gorge State Park, but Rabun County also has more waterfalls than any other North Georgia county.
2. Ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster in the town of Helen.  It's the only alpine coaster in the state.
3. Ride through the scenic mountain terrain of this area on horseback.  There are several places offering guided tours in the area. 
4. Go kayaking, canoeing, or tubing down the area's many rivers, including the Chattooga River, which was the country's first Wild and Scenic River. 
5. Take a hike through the stunning North Georgia mountains for even more stunning views of the area. 
6. Visit Blackrock Mountain State Park, the highest state park in Georgia.
7. Meander the streets of downtown Helena, a Bavarian-inspired town in the North Georgia mountains. 
8. Go fly fishing. Fishing is one of the most popular things to do in North Georgia. Be sure you are up to date on everything there is to know about fly fishing in North Georgia.
9. While you're on your wine tasting adventure at North Georgia wineries, why not add some moonshine to your tasting repertoire? 
10. Walk over the beautiful Toccoa River Swinging Bridge near Blue Ridge, which, at 270-foot-long, is the longest swinging bridge east of the Mississippi. 

Georgia Wine Country Lodging

Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant

Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Meeting Place is located between Tallulah Falls and Clarkesville, Georgia in the northeast corner of the state. This historic inn features a fine dining restaurant and all the modern amenities expected by the discriminating traveler.

Surrounded by 17 acres and the Chattahoochee National Forest, Glen-Ella Springs is a welcome respite for those seeking a romantic getaway, executive retreat, or the ideal location to serve as a home base while exploring the many antique and art galleries, wineries, waterfall, and hiking trails of the north Georgia mountains and the wineries of northern Georgia.

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White Birch Inn

The White Birch Inn, on the square of Historic Clayton, Georgia, is a luxurious boutique inn. The six guest rooms and suites in this century-old building are uniquely decorated in the style of rustic mountain chic. 

Whether you spend your day shopping or antiquing in Clayton’s quaint stores, hiking the many nearby trails, fly fishing or boating, visiting wineries, or just exploring the area, you will be ready for your afternoon wine and cheese back at the inn, comparing notes with the other guests.

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Beechwood Inn

Southern Living Magazine names Beechwood Inn “One of the South’s Most Charming Inns.” Wine Spectator Names Beechwood Inn Top 13 East Coast Inns with Excellent Wines. The inn offers rustic elegance in a romantic mountain-side setting overlooking the historic town of Clayton.

Each guest suite is individually decorated, features fine linens, most have fireplaces, private porches, mountain views, and all have modern private baths and are the perfect home base to explore wine country.

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