Your Guide to Touring and Tasting North Georgia's Vineyards And

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Your guide to touring and tasting North Georgia’s vineyards and wineries, brought to you by the Winegrowers Association of Georgia ... Georgia’s Fine Wine producers. Winegrowers Association of Georgia

Meet the people. Share the passion. Discover the beauty and taste the quality of North Georgia’s developing wine region.

Member Wineries $AHLONEGA Wolf Mountain Vineyards ...... 2 Cavender Creek Vineyards ...... 3 Frogtown Cellars ...... 4 BlackStock Vineyards ...... 5 Local Afﬁliates ...... 6

(ELEN3AUTEE Habersham Vineyards & Winery ...... 8 Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards ...... 9 Yonah Mountain ...... 10 Local Afﬁliates ...... 11

%LLIJAY9OUNG (ARRIS(IAWASSEE4IGER Cartecay Vineyards ...... 13 Crane Creek Vineyards ...... 14 Hightower Creek Vineyards ...... 17 Stonewall Creek ...... 18 Tiger Mountain Vineyards ...... 19 Local Afﬁliates ...... 20

Afﬁliate Services ...... 21 Advertisers ...... 23 About Georgia Wines

In the 1800s there were many vineyards and wineries thriving in Georgia in a golden age of little regulation and no taxation. Records show that in 1900, Georgia ranked sixth among grape growing states. In 1907 Georgia adopted full alcohol prohibition, 11 years ahead of national prohibition, destroying a generation of wine making traditions brought by many European immigrants to America. Today a farm winery renaissance is taking place across America. Most states have passed farm bills and all 50 states can boast at least one bonded winery. Georgia’s bill was passed in the early 1980s, which laid the groundwork for Georgia’s wine industry. The real explosion in vineyard development has been in recent years. Over a dozen wineries have opened in the last decade in North Georgia, largely based on the success of the premium European varieties thriving in the area. The critical success of this developing wine region has prompted the launch of still a dozen more projects slated to open in the next couple of years. We invite you to experience the beauty of our vineyards and taste the quality of our wines, many of which have won National and International competitions. With so many medals won by our wineries, North Georgia is emerging as a prominent wine growing region. The Winegrowers Association of Georgia is a non-profit corporation organized to promote and market Georgia wines, to improve the market environment for Georgia wines, to increase public awareness of Georgia wines, and to facilitate research in Georgia viticultural and vinfication techniques to improve Georgia wines. Annual members must qualify with a minimum of five acres in Georgia of vinifera or French-American grapes in production or with a minimum of 1,000 cases of wine produced annually from Georgia grown vinifera or French-American grapes. Affiliate Members of our association are listed on pages 6, 11, 20 and 21. We encourage you to visit and support our partner businesses. Additional information, including web links, is available on line at our website: georgiawine.com.

Georgia’s Fine Wine Producers On the web at GeorgiaWine.com P.O Box 808 Helen • Georgia 30545 • 706-878-9463 Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 1 Wolf Mountain Vineyards

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery knows fine wine. With over 100 medals in major U.S. competitions, including Georgia’s first-ever gold medals at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles International Wine Competitions, multiple Best Of Category awards, and a 92-point rating for both its Brut Rose and Blanc de Blancs Brut, Wolf Mountain has established itself as a leader in fine wine production on the East Coast. With the introduction of North Georgia’s first Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wines, the prestige of being the first Georgia wine poured at the James Beard House in New York, and by offering guests an exceptional culinary experience in the an exquisite setting, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery boasts Georgia’s Premier Wine and Food Experience. Our philosophy of winemaking is French in style with an emphasis on blending European varietals to achieve more complex, intense and unique styles of wine. Wolf Mountain’s Award Winning Wines are 100% produced at the 1800- foot elevation of the Dahlonega Plateau. Our Estate Vineyards are home to plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tannat, Malbec, and Touriga Nacional, which are blended to create our Reserve Estate Red Wines. In addition, we are investors in other local Dahlonega Vineyards where Chardonnay, Viognier and Merlot are grown to our exacting specifications. Our state of the art gravity flow Winery produces 5000 cases of wine each year for the serious wine enthusiast. Visit our web site for a complete listing of our Family of Award Winning Wines. With over 40 years experience in the Wine and Food industry, we invite you to enjoy our hospitality and beautiful mountain views from our Vineyard Café. Offering wine and food pairings Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12-3 pm and our elaborate Sunday brunch served at 12:30 and 2:30 pm. Advance reservations required for all food service events. For more information about wine tastings, tours, our calendar of events, or hosting a Vineyard Wedding and Reception, visit our web site at wmwine.com. Open Thursday - Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm March – mid-December, and weekends in February 180 Wolf Mountain Trail • Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-867-9862 (GPS directions use 120 Ridley Road) 2 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery

Located on the outskirts of the charming little goldmine town of Dahlonega, Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery started preparations in 2006. Our two red grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon and Norton/Cynthi- ana, were planted in 2007 with first harvest in 2009. The third plot of Petit Manseng, an “up-and-coming” white wine grape, was planted in 2008 and premierer its first vintage in the Spring of 2011. Our goal is to produce hand-crafted wines that reflect the personal attention to detail and “pampering”- from planting to bottling – afforded by a small family vineyard. Planned around an “old family farm” theme, CCVW features a c.1820 hand-hewn log cabin which will serve as guest accommodations overlooking the vineyard on 15 acres of beautiful rolling North Georgia hills. Next door is the winery, styled after an old-fashioned barn, with the “loft” housing the tasting room. From the spacious deck extending over the crush pad below you can enjoy a view of the vineyards and the surrounding farm scene, including a number of donkeys, sheep, and ”Tinkerbell” -- our big ole white vineyard dog -- all adding up to a fun family experience. Proprietors Raymond and Donna Castleberry look forward to meeting you. We think you will be charmed by our old-fashioned approach to wine-making, grape-growing, and life in general. So kick back, savor our hand-crafted wines, and let us know what you think. Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery 3610 Cavender Creek Road ~ Dahlonega, GA 30533 770-823-9255

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 3 Frogtown Cellars

Frogtown Cellars is dedicated to the production of high quality wine grapes and premium wines. Frogtown Cellars is by far the most awarded Georgia winery and one of the most awarded wineries in America for premium dry wines. In 2011 alone, Frogtown Cellars won 73 Medals in Major Competitions, including 12 Gold Medals in California Competitions for 11 different wines and 2 Double Gold Medals in an exclusive “by invitation only” competition. Our Dahlonega and Helen Georgia vineyards encompass 44 acres of rolling terrain at elevations of 1625 to 1800 feet. These vineyards are home to 23 different premium grape varieties; 22,000 grape vines in total. There are over 30 different Frogtown labeled wines made in the dry “French Style” and two ultra premium dessert wines under the Frogtown label. Under our second label, Thirteenth Colony, 9 wines are offered in an off-dry (slightly sweet) “American Style.” If sweet wines are your preference ask for Frogtown’s Talking Rock labeled wines, or for Muscadine lovers, Frogtown produces delicious Muscadine wines from our Hahira, Georgia vineyards under the Southern Charm and Helen Wine Company labels.. AT FROGTOWN ALL GEORGIA LABELED WINES ARE MADE FROM 100% GEORGIA GROWN GRAPES FROM OUR OWN VINEYARD ESTATES. Constructed on a hillside overlooking our Dahlonega vineyards, the Frog- town Winery is an underground, tri-level, gravity ﬂow winemaking facility. Four hundred and ﬁfty barrels strong, Frogtown ages its wine in French and American oak. Atop our underground winery sits Frogtown’s traditional mortise and tenon timber frame tasting room and event facility. Visitors are amazed that the framework contains no nails. With panoramic views of our vineyards, 4-acre lake and the North Georgia Mountains, Frogtown is the perfect venue for wine tastings, wine dinners and lunches, weddings and special events. Planning your wedding or corporate event is our specialty. For great wine, fabulous food and attention to detail contact cydney@frogtownwine.com. Our Dahlonega Tasting Room is open year round, Monday thru Fridays 12 to 5, Saturdays 12 to 6, Sundays 12:30 to 6, or by appointment. The Panini Bar located at our Dahlonega location is open from 12 to 3:30 Friday & Saturday, 12:30 until 3:30pm on Sunday. HELEN TASTING ROOM now open daily. Visit us in Helen at 7601 Main Street. Telephone 706-878-5000. Frogtown Cellars 700 Ridge Point Drive • Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-865-0687 • frogtownwine.com 4 ~ Discover Georgia Wine BlackStock Vineyards

BlackStock Vineyards, the ﬁrst and largest of the current vineyards in the Dahlonega area, was founded by California-trained winemaker David Harris, a 25-year pioneer in Georgia wine. Estate-grown wines include Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier, Sangiovese, and Touriga. Enjoy spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the panorama of lush vineyards, while experiencing wines that garnered us a designation as the #1 up and coming winery in Tom Stevenson’s annual book, “The Wine Report”. We cater to the serious wine enthusiast, promising an educational, relaxing and family-friendly wine experience.

The winery specializes in private events from formal weddings, to informal luncheons on our vineyard deck. We offer deli selections daily, with grilled fare and live music often featured on weekends. The Harris family believes very strongly that wine is made in the vineyard, and our wines represent specific field selections grown to fulfill their particular niche and style. While the cellar practices are meticulous and detail-oriented, the emphasis is on gentle handling and minimal intervention. The real differences are derived from how the winegrapes are cultivated in the field.

From the end of GA 400: Stay straight crossing over Hwy 60 (reduces to 2 lanes) onto Long Branch Road. Stay straight (about 4 miles) through next light until it dead-ends (about another 4 miles). Turn left on Cavender Creek, go exactly 1 mile and then right on Town Creek Church. Go 4.3 miles and dead end into BlackStock’s entrance.

From Dahlonega square: Take East Main Street .7 mi to Hwy 19/60. Turn left (N) on 19/60 and go 2.1 miles to Cavender Creek Road. Turn right on Cavender Creek and go 3.9 miles to Town Creek Church Road. Turn left on Town Creek Church and go 4.3 miles and dead-end at the entrance to BlackStock Vineyards & Winery.

Open daily year-round 10 - 6, Sunday 12:30 - 5. Winter hours are Noon to 5pm. BlackStock Vineyards • bsvw.com 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-219-2789 (BSVW)

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 5 Dahlonega Area Affiliates

L = Lodging D = Dining T = Tasting Room V = Vineyard

Cedar House Inn and Yurts (L) ...... 706-867-9446 6463 Hwy 19 North Dahlonega, GA, 30533 An “Earth Friendly” Mountain Lodge An eco-friendly bed and breakfast inn with cozy rustic rooms and unique yurt lodging near historic Dahlonega. Conveniently located on the Georgia Wine Highway. “Open All Year” georgiamountaininn.com

Corkscrew Cafe (D) ...... 706-867-8551 51 West Main Street Dahlonega, GA 30533 Next to the Holly Theater The Corkscrew Cafe offers a wide array of lunch, light dining and dinner entrées. We also have a great Sunday Brunch from noon until 3:00 pm. Our selection of wines is extraordinary. thecorkscrewcafe.com

Dahlonega Tasting Room (T) ...... 706-864-8275 #16 North Park Street - Public Square Dahlonega, GA 30533 Habersham Winery Tasting Room Complimentary Tastings, wine tools, gifts, and gourmet foods. Open Monday through Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday 12:30 - 6

Lily Creek Lodge, A Bed & Breakfast (L) ...... 706-864-6848 2608 Auraria Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 European Style Bed & Breakfast Lovely Alpine Lodge in Dahlonega on nine forested acres. 12 guest URRPVVXLWHVIXUQLVKHGZLWKHFOHFWLFDUWDQGDQWLTXHVVWRQH¿UHSODFH secluded swimming pool with waterfall, outdoor hot tub, wedding pavilion. “Stay in a storybook ...” (Guest quote) lilycreeklodge.com

Long Mountain Lodge (L) ...... 706-864-2337 144 Bull Creek Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 Delicious Mountain Views Located on the southwest slope of Long Mountain, the Lodge has mountain views to the North, South and West, and an elevation of approximately 2,000 feet. Each room offers a view of the mountains. Open Year Round. longmountainlodge.com

Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa (L) ...... 706-867-8134 202 Talmer Grizzle Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 Luxury B&B with Rustic Charm Luxury B&B offering 6 rooms, all with whirlpool tubs, balconies and ¿UHSODFHVRQVLWHGD\VSDDQG&RSSHU3HQQ\3XEIHDWXULQJORFDOZLQHV Many waterfalls and hiking trails nearby. mountainlaurelcreek.com L = Lodging D = Dining T = Tasting Room V = Vineyard

Mountain Top Lodge ...... 706-864-5257 447 Mountain Top Lodge Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 Enjoy the Relaxing and Rustic Atmosphere Charming country home and romantic hillside lodge. 12 rooms set on 14 wooded acres. Year-round Bed & Breakfast. We host discerning guests and small (up to 25) family and corporate groups. mountaintoplodge.net

6 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Dahlonega Area Affiliates

L = Lodging D = Dining T = Tasting Room V = Vineyard Naturally Georgia (T) ...... 706-864-0832 90 Public Square North, located inside “Bleu Gallery” Dahlonega, GA 30533 Tiger Mountain Vineyards Satellite Tasting Room Featuring Georgia Handmade products, art, cheese, gift items and much more! Wine and Cheese tasting daily! On the Historic Public Square in Dahlonega! Special events, hours and location at naturallygeorgia.com

The Blue Bicycle (D) ...... 706-265-2153 671 Lumpkin Campground Rd. - Suite 116 Dawsonville, GA 30534 Great Food - Friendly Faces 5HJLRQDO$PHULFDQFXLVLQHZLWK(XURSHDQLQÀXHQFH

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 7 Habersham Vineyards & Winery

Habersham Vineyards & Winery is one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries producing Georgia wines since 1983, with an annual production near 15,000 cases. Located one half mile south of Helen in Nacoochee Village, the winery features daily tastings, a large gift shop with a great selection of unique wine specialty items, and gourmet foods. Production areas, including the tank room, barrel room and bottling line can be viewed from the tasting room. Habersham produces wine under three labels. Creekstone is our premium, vintage dated line of varietals utilizing mostly vinifera grapes. Our Habersham label includes both vintage varietals and blended wines using both vinifera and French-American grapes. Our Southern Harvest wines are produced from the native muscadine grape and are nostalgic for many Southerners. Most of the grapes used in our wines are grown in two company owned vineyards, Mossy Creek and Stonepile, which yield in excess of 100 tons annually. Varieties grown include cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, merlot, seyval, vidal and chambourcin. We also source grapes from nearby north Georgia vineyards and produce our muscadine wines from grapes grown in south Georgia. In addition to the winery, Nacoochee Village offers dining, shopping, ﬂy ﬁshing, pottery, an historic grist mill, antiques, wedding and events facilities and cabin rentals. Habersham Vineyards & Winery Hours: Mon - Sat 10-6 and Sun 12:30-6 7025 S. Main St. (GA Hwy.75) • PO Box 808, Helen, GA 30545 habershamwinery.com • Phone: 706-878-WINE nacoocheevillage.com • 770-983-1973 e-mail: [email protected] • Fax: 706-878-8466 The Winery is open 7 days a week for tastings and sales.

8 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards

Located in the heart of the historic and scenic Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys is Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards. We are a family run farm winery committed to making great tasting, complex yet uncomplicated wines. Much like the family vineyards that dot the landscape all throughout Europe, we are small and tend to our vines by hand. Our goal is to observe the “Old World” style of winemaking and produce wines where each vintage offers a unique experience, both for us and for you. We planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines in 2009 and have since added additional varietals to the vineyards. Our wines are made from grapes grown and harvested locally with the exception of muscadine, which are grown in South Georgia. The tasting room is open to the public as well as being available for private wine tastings and events. We will be happy to help you plan your event with us. In addition to our wines we have a nice selection of wine related gifts, gourmet foods, and custom gift baskets for yourself, or the people on your souvenir list. We invite you to visit our tasting room, sample our wines, visit with the winemaker, and perhaps enjoy a glass of your favorite on our large outdoor deck overlooking the vines and pastures of the historic Nacoochee Valley. You’ll often see Cowboy, the tasting room cat, lounging about. Soon you’ll understand why this is his favorite place.

Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards tasting room is located in Nacoochee Crossing at Sautee at the junction of Georgia Highways 17 and 255. Check our website for scheduled events including our monthly “Swinging in the Vines” music series from March through October. Tasting room hours: May through October open daily 12:00 -6:00; Sat 11:00 - 6:00 and Sun 12:30 - 6:00; November and December Mon - Sat 12 - 5:00; Sunday 12:30 - 5:00; and January - April open Fri and Sat 12 - 5:00 and Sun 12:30 - 5:00. Other times by appointment. Call during holiday periods as days and times may vary. Come see us to “enjoy our wines and experience our valleys.” Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards 98 Nacoochee Way • Sautee, GA 30571 • 706-878-1056 sauteenacoocheevineyards.com • [email protected] Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 9 Yonah Mountain Vineyards

As one of Northeast Georgia’s newest vineyards and winery, Yonah Mountain Vineyards produces some of the highest quality wines on the east coast. In 2005, owners Bob and Jane Miller purchased 197 acres at the southeastern base of Yonah Mountain in White County and began to convert the beautiful farmland into vineyards. Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are already planted, and trellising is in place for the planting of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and other Bordeaux grapes. The winery, which is located at the vineyard, features the only wine cave in Georgia, designed for underground barrel storage. Ninety-ﬁve percent of the barrels used by Yonah Mountain Vineyards are new, one, and two use French Oak barrels. While the vineyard and winery are privately held, tours may be arranged upon request. The elegant but relaxed Yonah Mountain Vineyards tasting room is located in Sautee Nacoochee, a quaint, art-friendly community less than two miles east of Helen, GA with great shopping, dining and overnight accommodations. Ten locally produced wines on three labels are available for tasting and purchase. Winemaker Joe Smith and his wife Tina are often in the tasting room to greet and educate you about wine. They invite you to stop by to experience a friendly place and enjoy their labor of love.

The tasting room is open May through December seven days a week. January through April is the quiet season and hours vary. Located at 2454-B Highway 17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA, visitors are invited to bring lunch or appetizers and enjoy a glass of wine at the new pavilion overlooking the Nacoochee Valley. The ﬁrst Friday of each month (April through October) features live music, appetizers and extended hours. Yonah Mountain Vineyards also celebrates holidays in style with live music and tasty samplings from local restaurants. Visit Yonah Mountain Vineyards on Facebook and Twitter, and also at yonahmountainvineyards.com for updates, or call us at 706-878-5522. 10 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Helen/Sautee Area Affiliates

L = Lodging D = dining S = Shopping

Blue Ridge Cabin Rentals (L) ...... 706-878-1773 2990 Highway 356 Sautee, GA 30571 Unique amenities and pet friendly Located in the heart of north Georgia “Wine Country.” We take great pride in providing quality service and the best accommodations with no hidden costs. Express Check-in, WIFI, hot tubs, saunas, pool tables, outdoor ¿UHSODFHVDQGZDWHUIDOOV blueridgecabinrentals.com

Georgia Mountain Rentals (L) ...... 877-883-8400 or local 706-878-8400 54A Nacoochee Way Sautee, Georgia 30571 Wake up in the Mountains 3ULYDWHKRWWXEVSRROWDEOHV¿UHSODFHVRXWGRRUJULOOVDQGURFNLQJFKDLU porches ... pet-friendly cabins, honeymoon cabins, private homes with swimming pools, WIFI, golf course chalets, cabins on the river, and fantastic mountain views. georgiamtnrentals.com

High Valley Resort (L) ...... 770-992-0503 One High Valley Trail Suches, GA 30572 Lodging and Private Airstrip A 40 acre Mountain resort and recreation facility with private airstrip and luxury log cabins: an ideal base camp for your Georgia wine adventures. Cabins open year round including holidays. highvalleyresort.com

Lucille’s Mountain Top Inn (L) ...... 706-878-5055 964 Rabun Road PO Box 638 Sautee, GA 30571 360 degrees of Luxury A luxurious bed and breakfast 4 miles from Helen on a mountain top with a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Now with Mandala Wellness Retreat and Day Spa. lucillesmountaintopinn.com

Nacoochee Grill (D) ...... 706-878-8020 7277 South Main Street PO Box 725 Helen, GA 30545 North Georgia’s only Wood Fire Grill )HDWXULQJKDQGFXWVWHDNVULEVDQGFKRSV'DLO\VHOHFWLRQRIIUHVK¿VK Just ¼ mile north of Habersham Winery on GA Highway 75. Open 7 days. Lunch 11:30- 3:30 • Dinner 5:00-9:00, 10:00 Friday and Saturday. nacoocheegrill.com

Old Sautee Store (S) ...... 706-878-2281 Georgia Hwy. 17 & Hwy. 255 Sautee, GA 30571 130 Year Old General Store Museum Outstanding selection of baked goods, food and cheese items that pair EHDXWLIXOO\ZLWK¿QHZLQHV-HZHOU\DSSDUHODQGDZLGHYDULHW\RILWHPV for home and cabin. Open 7 days a week. oldsauteestore.com

Pinnacle Cabin Rentals (L) ...... 706-754-2533 P.O. Box 1264 Helen, GA 30545 Luxurious Vacation Accomodations :KHWKHU\RX¶UHORRNLQJIRUVWXQQLQJSDQRUDPLFYLHZVDURPDQWLFFRXSOH¶V cabin, an in-town location with excellent golf package, or a pet friendly UHWUHDW\RX¶OO¿QGLWDW3LQQDFOH:L)L+RW7XEV3RRO7DEOHV)LUH3LWV Flat Screen TVs, Express Check-in. pinnaclecabinrental.com

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 11 Helen/Sautee Area Affiliates

L = Lodging D = dining S = Shopping

Sylvan Valley Lodge (L) ...... 706-865-7371 747 Duncan Bridge Road Sautee, GA 30571 8 Wineries within 15 miles (QMR\WKHDUHD¶VOXVKQDWXUDOVXUURXQGLQJVIURPZHOODSSRLQWHG accommodations in our lodge or a private cabin. Immerse yourself in the beauty of North Georgia Wine Country. Home of the Georgia Winemaker Dinner Series. sylvanvalleylodge.com

12 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Cartecay Vineyards

Among the famed apple orchards of Ellijay in Gilmer County, GA lies the county’s ﬁrst vineyard, Cartecay Vineyards. Named for the region of the county in which the vineyard is situated, Cartecay, Cherokee for Bread Valley, has a rich terroir; a combination of factors, including soil, climate and environment, that gives our wines unique and distinctive Appalachian character. We believe that the terroir of Cartecay allows our vines to grow, age and produce grapes of the highest quality, which in turn allows us to produce wine of the highest quality. We currently grow Merlot, Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Norton (Cynthiana), Catawba and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes on a total of 13 planted acres. We plan to expand to approximately 25 planted acres in the years to come. Our tasting barn offers wines from Cartecay Vineyards, as well as Wines from other North Georgia Wineries, speciﬁcally Habersham Winery and Crane Creek Vineyards. In the years to come, as our vines mature and our vineyards grow, we will offer additional Cartecay Vineyards’ wines. On July 15th, 2011 we opened the doors of our tasting barn, The Nealey Barn, named for the family who farmed the land for 70 years prior to our family acquiring it. We are open for wine tastings, tours, weddings and events. Please refer to our website, FaceBook page, or call for scheduled events. We hope that you will come and visit us soon, so that we may share our farm, our vines, our event facilities and our tasting barn, as well as our wines and lifestyle with you. Hours are subject to change due to season, so please call ahead or visit our website. Cartecay Vineyards 5790 Clear Creek Road ~ Ellijay, GA 30536 706.698.9463 • cartecayvineyards.com Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 13 Discover Georgia Wine

Member Vineyards, Wineries, Tasting Rooms 1. Wolf Mountain Vineyards PAGE 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega 30533 Blairsville 706-867-9862 2. Cavender Creek Winery PAGE 3610 Cavender Creek Road, Dahlonega 30533 770-823-9255 3. Frogtown Cellars PAGE 3300 Damascus Church Road, Dahlonega 30533 706-865-0687

4. Blackstock Vineyards PAGE Suches 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega 30533 60 706-219-2789 5. Habersham Winery PAGE 7025 S. Main Street, Helen 30345

706-878-9463 Ri dl ey R 6. Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards PAGE 1 98 Old Nacoochee Way, Sautee-Nacoochee 30571 706-878-1056 7. Yonah Mountain Vineyards PAGE 19 2454-B Highway 17, Sautee-Nacoochee 30571 Bus 706-878-5522 19 19 8. Cartecay Vineyards Bus PAGE Ellijay 52 52 5790 Clear Creek Rd. 515 8 Ellijay 30536 136 53 136 9 706.698.9463 183 Jasper 19 9. Crane Creek Vineyards 53 Dawsonville PAGE 916 Crane Creek Road Young Harris 30582 706-379-1236 10. Hightower Creek Vineyards PAGE 7150 Canaan Drive, Hiawassee 30546 706-896-6827 11. Stonewall Creek Vineyards PAGE 323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger 30576 706-212-0584 12. Tiger Mountain Vineyards PAGE 2592 Old Highway 441, Tiger 30576 706-782-4777

Visit GeorgiaWine.com for details about the Winegrowers Association of Georgia ... 14~ Discover Georgia Wine along Georgia’s Wine Highway

76 19 9 66 Hiawassee 76 515 76 Blairsville Young Harris 10

17 Clayton 75 197 180 11 12

Tiger 356 348 441

Helen 225

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Look for signs along Georgia’s Wine Highway.

Georgia’s Fine Wine Producers

along with local news, events, and more images of our wineries and vineyards. Crane Creek Vineyards

Crane Creek Vineyards, the most beautiful of all the Georgia vineyards, sits high in the Blue Ridge Mountains where we grow grapes that are an expression of our unique area. The high altitude microclimate, a combination of warm, dry summer days, cool mountain nights and well drained mineral soils, allows us to cultivate grapes that produce complex wines with fresh, assertive aromas and concentrated ﬂavors.

We produce a wide variety of wines that are sure to please the palate of all wine drinkers. Our wines are gold, silver, and bronze medal winners in serious national and international competitions. Consistently cited as the friendliest, most knowledgeable, our experienced staff will make you feel at home whether you are a seasoned oenophile or a ﬁrst time visitor.

Join us at a variety of events including our Spring Arts and Craft Festival, the ever popular Tomato Fest, and our annual Harvest celebration. We also offer “Tapas Night” every Friday throughout the year.

Our events facilities include the outdoor decks, the Barn Swallow Pavilion, and Holly Hill, a new, year round events space. All are available for private events, from large weddings to intimate dinners. Our professional staff will assist you in planning your event and ensure you and your guests a memorable experience.

Our laid back grounds and ambiance will tempt you to sit and sip awhile at this most northern and beautiful of Georgia vineyards. Come visit Crane Creek Vineyards, the “jewel in the crown” of the Georgia Wine Highway.

Tasting room hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm April - Dec. Sunday 1pm-5pm • Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm Jan. - March. Sundays 1- 5 pm Tasting room hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm April - Dec. Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm Jan. - March. Sundays 1- 5 pm

Crane Creek Vineyards • 916 Crane Creek Road Young Harris, GA 30582 • 706-379-1236 cranecreekvineyards.com • email [email protected]

16 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Hightower Creek Vineyards

One of Georgia’s newest wineries, Hightower Creek Vineyards is truly a family operation. 5 years ago Liz and Sanford Green began planting their 2,200 ft elevation farm with a combination of vinifera and hybrid grapes. Today, over six acres of vines, including Viognier, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Barbera, and Pinot Gris are planted across two mountainside vineyards. This year Hightower Creek welcomes visitors to taste its first vintage. Our winemaking and tasting facilities are built in a renovated farmhouse with a view over North Georgia’s mountains, ponds, and streams. In the tasting room, you’ll be able to sample our wines and other local specialties while relaxing on our deck or taking a stroll around the vineyards. In the cellar, son Travis Green works to produce premium dry and off-dry wines from the area’s finest grapes. The wines are crafted to preserve the fresh flavors and aroma’s of the fruit and to capture the essence of North Georgia’s unique terrain. With our small production we are able to give each vine and each bottle the attention and care necessary to create truly captivating wines. The vineyards are tended extensively by hand, from planting to pruning to harvest. This philosophy extends to the cellar, where we strive to use the gentlest possible techniques to craft our wines. Hightower Creek Vineyards was built with the gracious help of family and friends and we encourage you to come be a part of our inaugural year. We love meeting new friends and look forward to seeing you in the tasting room! Opening April 2012. Hightower Creek Vineyards 7150 Canaan Drive, Hiawassee, GA 30546 [email protected] / (706) 896-6827 www.hightowercreekvineyards.com Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 17 Stonewall Creek Vineyards

Stonewall Creek Vineyards, located in northeast Georgia’s Rabun County, is set to join the state’s newest family-run farm wineries. The winery tasting room will open in July 2012, with first releases of Yukari, a dry rosé, and Boriana, a dry white. Red varietals and blends will be available in 2013. Dr. Carl and Carla Fackler planted their first vines in 2005 in a valley bordered by Glassy Mountain and Crunkleton Ridge at the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains. The 30-acre property, elevation 2,100 feet, backs up to the 750,000- acre Chattahoochee National Forest. Erosion from mountain slopes over millions of years and deposits from a meandering Stonewall Creek created a terroir of decayed granite and mica. Also on the property is Fackler Farms, providing produce to a limited number of local and Atlanta restaurants. The vineyards now total nearly 3,000 vines on 5 acres and produce French vinifera grapes — Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Tannat and Petit Manseng. All are hand harvested, vinified and bottled on site. (Grapes were sold previously to nearby Tiger Mountain Vineyards, co-owned by friends and mentors Dr. John and Martha Ezzard.) After opening in July, 2012, the tasting room will be open Saturday afternoons or by appointment. Please check www.stonewallcreek. com for details. We will probably be closed over the winter (or sooner if we sell all our wine). (MapQuest and Google haven’t found us yet, so see directions below or call 706-212-0584.) From Highway 441, south of Clayton: If driving north, turn left at Tiger Connector (Goats on the Roof) to town of Tiger (blinking light). Drive straight ahead (west) 4.1 miles on Bridge Creek Road. Turn left on Apple Orchard Lane and proceed 0.15 mile to Standing Deer Lane. Turn left and follow 0.2 mile, keeping to the right, through the vineyards and over the stone bridge. The winery and tasting room are in the lower level of the brown lodge. Stonewall Creek Vineyards 323 Standing Deer Lane • Tiger, GA 30576 • 706-212-0584 www.stonewallcreek.com • [email protected] 18 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Tiger Mountain Vineyards

Tiger Mountain Vineyards, owned by four native Georgians, John and Martha Ezzard and John and Marilyn McMullan, takes pride in its 100% Rabun County grown fine wines. The winery is two and a half miles south of Clayton on Old Highway 441, just 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta. The fine handcrafted wines, which have won more than 150 awards in national and international competitions, are made from French and Portuguese vinifera and one native American grape. Dr. John and Martha Ezzard planted the first wine grapes in 1995 on the five-generation-old farm where John was born. They took their cues from a successful Virginia vintner, selecting the varieties of grapes uniquely suited to the terroir of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Those include Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Tannat, Touriga Nacional, Mourvedre, Norton, Viognier --- and the unique Petit Manseng, producing a tangy, complex wine that has won Tiger Mountain national acclaim, including two consecutive silver medals (2010 and 2011) in the San Francisco International and a 2011 Jefferson Cup, the first ever awarded a Georgia wine in this select national invitational competition. The winery also released it first late harvest Petit Manseng in 2010, Sweet Petit, sold only at the winery. One of the first in Georgia to focus on the cultivation and production of fine dry wines, Tiger Mountain Vineyards today has greatly expanded its facility, and recently remodeled its 75-year-old historic red barn which opens for lunch and special events in April of 2012. The winery offers discounts and invitation- only parties for its wine club members (See website for how to join Tigerwine Tasters.) Tiger Mountain wines are listed in several top Atlanta restaurants and can be ordered and purchased in most of Georgia’s major cities and in Highlands, N.C. They are sold in all of the Whole Foods and Fresh Markets in Georgia. Tiger Mountain also operates a satellite tasting room, Naturally Georgia, in the Dahlonega Square which sells TMV and Crane Creek wines. naturallygeorgia.com The winery tasting room at Tiger Mountain is Tasting Room hours: open year round, seven days a week from spring to fall and every week-end the rest of the year. May - November The picnic area and red barn patio, both 1-5 pm Sunday-Friday overlooking the vineyards, are always open to Saturday 11 am- 6 pm winery customers. Call or e-mail to schedule December - April group tours or special events. 1-5 pm Friday & Tiger Mountain Vineyards Sunday 2592 Old Highway 441 Tiger, GA 30576 Saturday 11 am-5 pm tigerwine.com • [email protected] or by appointment 706-782-4777 or 706-499-4441 Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 19 Ellijay/Young Harris/ Hiawassee and Tiger Area Affiliates

L = Lodging D = Dining T = Tasting Room V = Vineyard

Beechwood Inn - Bed & Breakfast and Wine Cellar (L) .. 706-782-5485 220 Beechwood Drive Clayton, Georgia 30525 Inviting, rustic elegance *HRUJLD¶V3UHPLHU:LQH&RXQWU\,QQOX[XU\ORGJLQJLQDUXVWLFPRXQWDLQ setting overlooking the historic town of Clayton. Wine Spectator Award of ([FHOOHQFHUHVWDXUDQW6DWXUGD\&KHI¶V7DEOHH[WHQVLYHZLQHOLVWGDLO\ wine-thirty and wine tastings. AAA . beechwoodinn.ws

Brasstown Valley Resort (LD) ...... 706-379-9999 6321 U.S. Hwy. 76 Young Harris, GA 30582 Complete Resort Facilities *HRUJLD¶V0RXQWDLQ5HVRUWDFUHPRXQWDLQUHVRUWZLWKURRPVEDU restaurants, championship golf course, tennis, hiking trails, resort facilities, the Equani Spa, guided horse back riding, conference center with 14 meeting rooms, amphitheatre, pavilions. Open all year. brasstownvalley.com

Calaboose Cellars (T) ...... 828-321-2006 565 Aquone Road Andrews, NC 28901 Smallest Winery in America Just 40 minutes North of Crane Creek Vineyards, come visit the Warden DWWKH&DODERRVHWKH¿UVWWRZQMDLOLQ$QGUHZV6DWXUGD\VIURP Closed January - March. CalabooseCellars.com

Chancey Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast (L) ...... 706-896-8424 385 Chancey Drive Hiawassee, GA. 30546 Comfort and relaxation await Explore the Blue Ridge Mountains and relax at Chancey Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast. Complimentary wine and nibbles every afternoon. Five spacious guest rooms with panoramic mountain views. Full plated breakfast served each morning. chanceyhillinn.com

Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Meeting Place (LDT) ...... 706-754-7295 1789 Bear Gap Road Clarkesville, GA 30523 Northeast Georgia’s Premier Country Inn Member of Select Registry Distinquished Inns of North America since 1990. 16 room historic country inn nestled on 17 acres featuring beautiful gardens, scenic vistas, genuine hospitality and award winning food. Dinner nightly by reservation. Open year round. Tiger Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room. glenella.com

20 ~ Discover Georgia Wine Ellijay/Young Harris/ Hiawassee and Tiger Area Affiliates

Historic Lake Rabun Hotel & Restaurant ...... 706-782-4946 35 Andrea Lane, Lakemont, GA 30552 Become Enchanted! Charming rustic decor and comfort await you at this historic hotel built in 1922. Gourmet Dining with Southern Style, Award Winning Wines, Charming Accommodations, and Spectacular views of the lake. 800-398-5134 lakerabunhotel.com

Paradise Cabins & Spa (L) ...... 706-745-7483 Fax 706-745-0527 3163 Paradise Road Blairsville, GA 30512 Resort with Full Service Day Spa Over 35 acres of beautiful mountains and 1-4 bedroom hot tub cabins, a gathering lodge, romantic gazebo, break-out building for private meetings, teaming building center, and a full service Day Spa with sauna and aromatherapy lounge. paradise-cabins.com

Vineyards

The following properties are strictly vineyards at the initial stages of planting and growing their grapes and do not offer tastings.

Ellijay River Vineyards (V) Ellijay River Vineyards planted three acres in May/June of 2011, and will have an additional 17 acres for future expansion.

Engelheim Vineyards, Ellijay, GA (V) ...... 770-239-8082 We currently have 3 acres of vinifera planted and will plant an additional 1000 vines in the spring of 2011. We are a small Start-Up Vineyard. Family Owned and Operated. Living the Dream!

Fiddlers Ridge Vineyards ...... 828-389-6715 1155 Pine Log Road, Warne, NC 28909 A family owned terroir, Fiddlers Ridge Winery is eagerly anticipating sus- tainable low-yield harvestings of the complex Chambourcin and the rare and enigmatic Petit Manseng varietals in the waning months of 2010.

Nottely River Valley Vineyards ...... 770-460-9404 1150 Old Culberson Road, Murphy, NC 28906 Production of premium Vinifera Grapes and hand-crafted “old world style wines.”

Splendor Mountain ...... 404 -218-7638 195 New Gate Drive, Tiger, GA 30576 Facility for events and accommodations for family and friends traveling the Georgia Wine Highway or enjoying one of many special events, family reunions or destination weddings. splendormountain.com

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 21 Ellijay/Young Harris/ Hiawassee and Tiger Area Affiliates Services

Buckhead Coach Transportation Company ...... 404-296-2923 280-A Arnold Road Lawrenceville, GA 30044 Professional, Reliable Group Transportation Luxury Modern Motorcoach buses with plush reclining seats, spacious seating arrangements, DVD,VCR, sound systems, rest room, and GPS tracking for your safety. buckheadcoach.com

Eastern Wine Labs ...... 609-859-3762 236 New Road “ Analytical Services to the Wine Industry” Southhampton , NJ 08088 We assist small and large wineries with their quality goals. Our focus at Eastern Wine Labs is to service the analytical needs of East Coast Wineries. easternwinelabs.com

Faifare Media Arts ...... 678-938-2442 P.O. Box 908622 Gainesville, GA 30501 Digital Publications focusing on wineries and Agritourism in Georgia. georgiaonmyvine.com

Wine News Vine ...... 706-346-2031 39 Dover Drive SE, Rome, GA 30161 Twitter: @winenewsvine Facebook: @winenewsvine Quick looks at the top events at North Georgia wineries, from tastings and wine releases to special brunches, dinners and annual events. A quick, one-stop check for mobile wine lovers anxious to spend an afternoon or weekend from Rabun County to Young Harris.

22~ Discover Georgia Wine Wine in North Georgia

he first Spanish explorers visiting Georgia probably T enjoyed wines made with Native American vines cultivated by the Cherokee and Creek people. Two centuries later, Georgia’s founder, James Edward Oglethorpe tried to introduce European viticulture as a part of his economic plan. He hoped to see the new Georgia Colony excel in two products, fine silk and fine wine. European winegrapes were not successfully cultivated due to mysterious New World diseases and indigenous insects, and were abandoned. Over the decades, native muscadines were cultivated throughout Georgia for table grapes and sweet wine production, and European and French-American winegrapes were grown with the aid of new scientific techniques. All through the 19th Century, Georgians grew and produced products from winegrapes. In 1880 Georgia was the sixth largest winegrowing state in the US with almost 3,000 acres of vineyards and nearly 1 million gallons of wine. Local historical accounts tell of family vineyards from Blairsville to Pine Mountain. It all came to an abrupt end when the Georgia legislature ushered in full state-wide Prohibition in 1907, where it lasted until 1935, although national repeal rolled around in 1933. After prohibition was appealed, Georgia’s wine industry ripened with the aid of surplus peaches and tomatoes. However, north Georgia’s European winegrape production didn’t really develop into what it is today until the late 1970s arrival of wine pioneers like Tom Slick, who established Habersham Vineyards & Winery.

Winegrowers Association of Georgia ~ 23 A Special Thank You to our Advertisers

Georgia’s vineyards are undergoing an exciting evolution, producing wines of truly exceptional quality. We invite you to experience the beauty of our vineyards and taste the quality of our wines as North Georgia emerges into a prominent wine growing region. A Special Thank You to our Advertisers WINEGROWERS Association of Georgia Georgia’s Fine Wine Producers

• BlackStock Vineyards • Cartecay Vineyards • Cavender Creek Vineyards • Crane Creek Vineyards • Frogtown Cellars • Habersham Vineyards & Winery • Hightower Creek Vineyards • Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards • Stonewall Creek Vineyards • Tiger Mountain Vineyards • Wolf Mountain Vineyards • Yonah Mountain Vineyards