15 Best North Georgia Vineyards

“North Georgia is prime for more AVAs (American Viticultural Areas),” Jane Garvey says, with test-me adamance but also a casual matter-of-factness in her voice. And she should know. A founding member of the Georgia Trustees Wine & Spirits Competition, Certified Specialist of Wine, former instructor for the Atlanta Wine School and 15-year wine columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, her expertise is unquestionable. But the defiance in her stance comes from Georgia’s mottled reputation for country wines–sweet blends, wines made from fruit and native muscadine, Georgia’s state grape.

But wine-lovers are starting to take note of the quality of wine coming out of the mountains of North Georgia. Folks are talking about the AVA North Georgia shares with North Carolina, the Upper Hiwasee Highlands, and the Dahlonega Plateau; Garvey predicts that Ellijay will have that AVA designation soon. 

They’re noticing the performance and flavor of the hybrid grapes coming out of the area; varieties designed to thrive in Georgia’s red clay, white heat, and green humidity are garnering awards on the national stage. And a fast-rising influx of people moving to Atlanta, then seeking day trips and weekend getaways, has also helped to increase the popularity and awareness of wineries in North Georgia, as wine tour companies such as VIP Southern Tours and others stake their routes and tourist boards of already popular destinations like Helen claim their pioneers. 

All of which to say, planning to visit vineyards and wineries in Northern Georgia is a darn good idea. Best of all, there are plenty of fantastic options around which to craft your itinerary. From those with sprawling lawns, mountain views, grand tasting rooms, gorgeous garden patios, or even friendly farm animals, here are the 15 best ones to visit.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, Dahlonega

With over 200 medals to this winery’s name, there are few better examples than Wolf Mountain as to why oeneophiles are taking cheering on and cheersing with North Georgian wines. But we can guarantee those award-winners can only taste better at this gorgeous site, which was named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the ten best domestic wineries to host one’s wedding. 

Spectacular mountain views, lush gardens, and an antique wine library with 19th century French wine artifacts help it live up to the title, and on-site full restaurants invite you to turn your tasting into a day. The café offers a la carte lunch and a buffet brunch on Sundays, and of course, wine pairing recommendations are thoughtfully provided with every option. Try the sparkling wine here, made with the Champagne method, and stay a while.

Tastings offered 11 AM-4 PM Thursdays through Sundays. Reservations not required for parties of less than 8.

wolfmountainvineyards.com, 180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery, Dahlonega

Nearly 10,000 premium vines are grown on this first family farm winery on the Dahlonega Plateau, their fruit bottled into 100% estate-grown wines – not terribly common in North Georgia, where it’s fairly common practice to fill in growth gaps with grapes from California and elsewhere. 

See what pure Georgia tastes like with a flight at the cherrywood bar, perusing the local folk art and pottery on display, listening to acoustic folk, bluegrass, and jazz on the Crush Pad deck, or the spacious covered patio. Views of the rolling hills of the heart of Georgia wine country are available from nearly every turn, as are snacks for purchase from the deli case, offered in lieu of a self-catered picnic option. 

Tastings offered 11 AM - 5 PM Thursdays through Saturdays, 1 PM - 5 PM Sundays. 

threesistersvineyards.com, 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Tiger

This winery has garnered over 250 national and international awards since 2001. Now, it’s up to new owner Lenny Vitello to carry on the torch as he takes ownership of the estate after five generations of stewardship by the Ezzard family–the first in Georgia to successfully establish European vines. 

Here, 14 acres are dedicated to producing Petit Manseng, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, all of which complement the menu at the Vineyard Café in the big red barn on the expansive lawn. Ingredients are as locally sourced as the wines, and so is the music, which is live on Saturdays.

Tastings offered 11 AM - 6 PM Fridays through Sundays. Seated estate tastings for up to four and barrel tastings available by reservation only.

tigerwine.com, 2592 Old 441 S, Tiger, Georgia 3057

Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Cleveland

Escape to a mountain lodge with the Miller family’s winery, where there are 20 planted acres of more than eight varieties of vinifera destined to become Old World-style wines. This is only a fraction of the 200-acre estate, though, a property size that helps create a feeling of a private upscale retreat that’s further enhanced by a tasting area that’s reminiscent of a manor courtyard or grand foyer. A lovely stone patio outside, however, offers the best views.

Sign up for a wine cave tour–it’s the only known one of its kind in Georgia. The 90-minute experience includes six samples (with tour-exclusive wines, if you’re lucky!), a chocolate pairing, and a branded keepsake glass. However, even with a regular flight, a commemorative glass will be yours to keep.

Tastings offered 12 PM - 5 PM Mondays through Wednesdays, 12 PM - 7:30 PM Thursdays, 12 PM - 6 PM Fridays, 11 Am - 7:30 PM Saturdays, and 12:30 - 6 PM Sundays. 

yonahmountainvineyards.com, 1717 Highway 255 South Cleveland, GA 30528

Serenity Cellars, Cleveland

Everything about this winery is a little surprise, from the quality of the wine within the campily-labeled bottles to The Grotto, an Italian cellar-themed event space whose round arched ceilings offer great acoustics for the performers that regularly grace the permanent stage. You’ll find live music there Fridays through Sundays, and an audience that has no attendees under 16 years of age. 

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnics for the Piazza and its garden, or Vino Valley, a dip of gravel behind it. Pack what goes well with Old World Tuscan-inspired blends or whimsically sweet varieties. Do bring a bottle home, as this boutique, family-owned winery doesn’t ship nor distribute – this winery is the sole source of Serenity Cellars wines.

Tastings available 12 PM - 5 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 12 - 6 Fridays, 11 AM - 6 PM Saturdays, 12:30 - 6 PM Sundays. Reservations recommended for parties of six or more and on Fridays.

serenitycellars.com, 265 Laurel Ridge Road, Cleveland, Georgia 30571

CeNita Vineyards, Winery & Tasting Room, Cleveland

For a vineyard good for a group and great for a good time, this large and action-packed venue is it. Wine almost feels like a side note after taking in the live music and summer concerts, the hammocks, disc golf, and more taking place on the hilly Vineyard Lawn.

But don’t let that casual atmosphere–and the welcome presence of wine slushies–distract you too much from the fact that the fourth-generation farm owners are indeed serious about their wine. There are plenty of estate wines to try, and a new tasting room with a covered wraparound porch, Dock’s Place, offers another option from the original, which was opened in 2015. It’s a good spot to enjoy the small snacks sold on site.

Tastings available 11:30 AM - 6 PM Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays; 12:30 PM - 6 PM Sundays. Reservations required for parties more of 7 or more.

cenitawinery.com, 591 Dock Dorsey Road, Cleveland, GA 30528

Roo Mountain Vineyards, Ellijay

Arrive during spring or summer to be enchanted by butterflies and sparkling rose, but the rest of the year, prepare to be impressed by an eco-friendly kegged wine system that not only keeps the wine fresh longer, sealed off from oxygen, but per keg, keeps 26 glass bottles, corks, and labels from entering local landfills. 

It’s from these that you can taste the yield of their 12,000-square-foot winery, which also boasts a barrel room, rooftop garden tasting bar, and soon, a main tasting room and outdoor amphitheater for future live events. And overall, this young, new space is where you’ll want to bring young, new drinkers, too, as hard ciders are available for those who prefer that over wine. However, bear in mind 21 is as young as guests can be for this adults-only spot. 

Leave outside food home with the kids, too–The Nest on the roof serves a robust menu featuring local products (sandwiches made with salt sourdough focaccia from High Mountain, dishes featuring local and famous Ellijay mushrooms) and a food truck schedule is posted to Instagram (only) periodically.

Tasting available 12 PM - 5:30 PM Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12 PM - 7:30 PM Fridays and Saturdays, and 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM Sundays.

roomountainvineyards.com, 1493 Old Flat Branch Road, Ellijay, GA 30540

Kaya Vineyard & Winery, Dahlonega

Although its name has changed from Blackstock, the views from its 1,600-foot elevated ridge are forever constant. A beautiful tasting room with 12-foot windows, reclaimed woods gently lit by Edison-style bulbs, and offering a 2,000-square-foot covered deck that often hosts live music in warmer months, the largest winery in Dahlonega has been a longtime favorite for those in the know. In fact, informed guests will often book one of the several cute cottages on the premises and stay for a sweet mountain retreat. 

For shorter stays, it’s best to time your visit with that of the food trucks that post up Fridays through Sundays to supplement the usual light selections, or make a full adventure of the day trip with a Bordeaux Blending Experience or an off-road 4x4 tour of the 90 acres. This ends with souvenirs, snacks, and of course, wine. Prepaid reserved walking tours let you DIY your day a bit more, especially when you pre-arrange a picnic lunch for pickup at the gift shop, as no outside food is permitted.

Tastings available 11 AM - 5 PM Tuesdays through Saturdays, 12:30 PM - 5 PM Sundays.

kayavineyards.com, 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery, Talking Rock

Enter a unique country carriage home, where exposed brick, rich wood, and iron rule design, when you enter this well-regarded winery founded by Stephen Meichtry. Here, surrounded by sprawling green grasses and under big open skies, grow the root stock he brought to this country from his native Switzerland, and the vines his family now tends since his departure. Accompanying them, and perhaps encouraging their growth, are the strains of live music every Saturday and Sunday, accompanied by the sounds of folks ordering from the food trucks who park here each weekend. 

Wine tours are available for purchase, but less expectedly, so is a stay in the two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa, which also comes with a wine tasting for up to four, two bottles of wine to keep, and use of a golf cart to further explore the grounds.

Tastings available 11 AM-6 PM daily, 12:30 PM-5:30 PM Sundays. Reservations required for private tours of six or more.

chateaumeichtry.co/, 862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA 30175

Bear Claw Vineyards, Blue Ridge

Fans of the Treehouse Guys on the DIY Network, take note: this is where you can rent the fully equipped Blue Ridge Treehouse that was built during a season of the show, and it’s available for booking. But while that was the province of the Guys, it’s a gal that owns and runs this lovely spot: Michelle “Mick” Swim, who produces and bottles the vineyard’s own wine.

Taste them on the large screened-in patio or sitting at a picnic table as you listen to the brook babble under a little bridge. Or learn how it’s made with a pre-booked VIP tasting experience that takes adults through the winery processing areas–the only area of the winery not open to children and pets. Free live music keeps you there into the evening year-round for a lovely way to end a lovely day trip.

Tastings available 12 PM - 5:30 PM Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays; 12 - 7:30 PM Fridays, and 12 - 8:30 PM Saturdays

bearclawvineyards.com, 2281 Tennis Court Road, Blue Ridge, GA 30513

Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris

Founded by U.S. Army veterans who sought (but didn’t find!, they joke) a slower pace when their son was born diagnosed with Down Syndrome, this award-winning winery is now in its second generation with hybrid grape champion Peter Seifarth at the helm. It also now has a second tasting room; the historic 1886 Appalachian farmhouse Bryson Farmhouse–now renamed Farmhouse Market–has been joined by Stone House Tasting Room.

The latter is located on the highest point of the vineyard and has a spacious rock terrace with an open-air patio and indoor seating while the former, only 200 yards down the road, gives guests an opportunity to shop for gourmet food and gifts in the boutique as you sip. Each hosts special events like Yappy Hour specials, Farmhouse Fridays with rotating food trucks and live music, and picnic zones for large families, children, and those visiting with their dogs. And there’s always Paris & Company, an independently owned and operated restaurant that serves lunch, weekend dinners, and Sunday brunch. 

Tastings available 11 AM - 5:30 PM Tuesdays through Fridays; Saturdays 11 AM - 7:30 PM Saturdays; Sundays 1 PM - 4:30 PM, plus extended hours Friday 11 AM - 7:30 PM at The Farmhouse Market, which is closed Mondays through Wednesdays and closes at 6 on Saturdays.

cranecreekvineyards.com, 1040 Crane Creek Road, Young Harris, GA 30582

Cavender Creek Vineyard & Winery, Dahlonega

Take your cue from the donkeys at this farm to kick back and relax for a while… but don’t emulate their neighbors the alpacas by spitting when you taste, especially if you’re doing so indoors. The tasting area feels like a rustic, country home’s lived-in family room, with heavy leather chairs scattered through a space cozy with wood and brick. Live music on the weekends, an expansive lawn, and a flowing patio with cheerful red umbrellas and rocking wooden chairs under string lights entice you to stay, but not more than the cottages and a log cabin for rent.

Along with wine, beer, wine slushies, and seasonal drinks, snacks are available for purchase, but celebrants can bring birthday cakes and cupcakes for the occasion. Just mind you don’t share with the four-legged residents! 

Tastings available 12:30 PM - 6 PM Sundays through Thursdays, 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM Fridays, 11 AM - 6:30 PM Saturdays.. No reservations.

cavendercreekvineyards.com, 3610 Cavender Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533

The Painted Horse Winery and Vineyard, Milton

If lovable critters is a favorite thing about North Georgia farmland, visit this winery where horses, chicken, cows, and goats rule their respective roosts. Part of the Pamelot Estate owned by sommelier Pamela Borgel, this small farm has grown to a working estate and event venue since she opened in 1991. Blending two passions, equine and agricultural education, you get the best of both by choosing this charming outdoorsy, wooded spot with big communal picnic tables over the tasting room in downtown Alpharetta. 

From Thursday to Sunday, you can schedule a horseback riding lesson for a ride-and-refreshment kind of day, or book a lesson for the children while the adults sip. Bring your own picnic and snacks to make a day of it.

Tastings available 1 PM-8 PM Thursday through Saturday; 1 PM-7 PM Sunday.

thepaintedhorsewinery.com, 13762 Hopewell Road, Milton, GA 30004

Montaluce Winery & Restaurant, Dahlonega

Touted as the most transportive and best destination winery in North Georgia, this stunning estate is known for creating a slice of Tuscany in the American South. Within the manor-like main building is a library of vintage wine, and two restaurants that stand on their own… and stand tall over the picturesque vines. For tastings, though, consider coming on a Saturday or Sunday to take advantage of the outdoor tasting bar. 

Another great option, this one more unusual than the first? A wine hike. Monteluce is unique in this offering, where guests are provided a tour of the winery, plus a 1.8-mile intermediate hike that gets them even closer to the land, through nature trails, the headwaters of the Etowah River, through the vineyards, and culminating in a five-pour tasting in Trattoria di Montaluce.

Tastings available but fluctuate based on private events. Reservations recommended for parties of 10 or more. 

montaluce.com, 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533

Habersham Vineyards & Winery, Helen

Georgia’s oldest and largest winery, near the beloved Alpine town of Helen, is a must to put on your itinerary. They now offer two convenient alternative tasting rooms (one in Dahlonega and the other in Sautee Nacoochee, by the wonderful Old Sautee Store, the state’s longest operating), but go to the original just to go. 

This award-winning winery offers a chance to taste that notorious muscadine at its most classic without having to go all the way to Southern Georgia, where the grapes are primarily grown. A gift shop with wines, imported cheese, and crackers make it a great souvenir stop, too–a perfect cap to any tour of North Georgia wineries. 

Tastings offered 11 AM - 5:30 PM Mondays through Thursdays, 11 AM - 6:30 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM Sundays. Reservations recommended for groups of 10 or more.

habershamwinery.com, 7025 South Main Street, Helen, GA 30545