Could the next Napa Valley be in the state of Georgia? Not likely, but there are some wineries in our neighboring state producing notable wines. In this week’s “New Worlds of Wine,” contributing writer Stephen Humphreys visits a few vineyards and sips a few vintages. If you’d like to make a road trip of your own, here’s a list of wineries within a day’s drive from Birmingham:
TIGER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS
2592 Old Highway 441
Tiger, GA 30576
(706) 782-4777
www.tigerwine.com
Dr. John Ezzard started planting grapes in 1995 on the 100-acre farm at Tiger Mountain where he was born. With his wife Martha, he selected varieties of grapes suited to the climate of southern Blue Ridge Mountains, including the American Norton, and the vinifera red grapes of the Loire and Rhone River valleys of France: Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tannat, Mourvedre and the white Viognier, as well as the Portuguese Touriga Nacional and Tinta Cao.
Winery hours:
April - November - 7 days per week
Sunday - Friday 1-5 p.m.
Saturday - 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
December - March
Friday – 1-5 p.m.
Saturday - 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
FROGTOWN CELLARS
700 Ridge Point Dr.
Dahlonega, GA 30533
(706) 865-0687
www.frogtownwine.com
Frogtown is a 57-acre wine estate located at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains equal distance between Dahlonega and Cleveland Georgia. Frogtown encompasses 32 acres of vineyards and a tri-level gravity flow winery specifically designed to produce the unique wines made from Frogtown grapes.
In 1998, native Atlantans Craig and Cydney Kritzer founded Frogtown in a location carefully selected for quality wine grape production and outstanding mountain views, the Frogtown District of Lumpkin County, Georgia. After researching Frogtowns soil, diverse climates and terrain, Craig divided the land up into separate vineyards. He planted different wine grape varieties based on the characteristics of each vineyard site. Frogtown is now home to 32 acres of vineyards planted to 15 different wine grapes varieties, both red and white.
Frogtown produces wines under the ‘Frogtown’ label and the ‘Thirteenth Colony’ label.
THREE SISTERS VINEYARDS
Vineyard/Winery/Tasting Room
439 Vineyard Way P.O. Box 3
Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-865-9463
www.threesistersvineyards.com
Three Sisters Vineyards’ property is located in the Frogtown community of Lumpkin County in the Chestatee River Valley. Elevation is 1800 feet above sea level. We believe it is the “perfect place” to grow a variety of winegrapes. Sharon’s brother Ken VanDusen joined the family business in 1996 and acts as Vineyard Manager.. Three Sisters is proudly Lumpkin County’s very first vineyard & farm winery since prohibition times.
Three Sisters Vineyards has planted over 8,000 premium wine grape vines (vitis vinifera, French-American and Native American varietals) covering thirteen-plus acres. The vineyard features Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Touriga and three distinctive clones of Chardonnay-as well as the French-American hybrid, Vidal Blanc and the East Coast’s popular Native American varietal Cynthiana-Norton. Planted in the spring of 1998, the vines are in six to seven by ten foot row spacings. Three Sisters uses several different trellis systems-including VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) and GDC (Geneva Double Curtin).
BLACKSTOCK WINERY
5400 Town Creek Road
Dahlonga, GA 30533
(706) 219-2789
www.bsvw.com
BlackStock Vineyards, the first of the current vineyards in the Dahlonega area, was founded by formally-trained winemaker David Harris, a 20-year pioneer in Georgia wine. After a decade dedicated to evolving a vineyard with wife and partner Trish, the Harris’ now offer an estate winery with spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Open Daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday 12:30–6 p.m.
Call ahead for holiday and winter hours
WOLF MOUNTAIN WINERY
180 Wolf Mountain Trail
Dahlonega, GA 30533
www.wolfmountainvineyards.com
Phone: 706-867-9862
Wolf Mountain Vineyards was established in 1999, with the preparation of our 25-acre estate for grape growing. In 2000, the vines were planted by hand and the winery construction began. We finished construction of the 8,000 square foot gravity flow winery in spring of 2001. Our first vintage of approximately 1000 cases was produced that fall, using locally grown fruit.
We opened to the public in early spring of 2003, selling out of our first vintage in only eight months. Our first harvest at Wolf Mountain was the fall of 2002, with our wine production reaching 2,000 cases. During our second season we expanded our program of events and sold out of our 2002 vintage. Our focus is to make the highest quality Georgia wines possible. As a result of our labor-intensive protocols, our production will remain limited. With the support of our loyal patrons, we hope to reach a 5,000 case production.
Thurs 12-5 p.m.
Fri & Sat 12-8 p.m.
Sunday 12:30-5 p.m.
HABERSHAM VINEYARD & WINERY
7025 S. Main St. (Ga. Hwy 75)
Helen, GA 30545
(770) 983.1973
www.habershamwinery.com
Some of the finest award winning Georgia Wines have been produced at Habersham Vineyards & Winery since 1983. Over 150 medals have been awarded to Habersham Wines in both national and international competitions. The Winery orginally was located in Baldwin Georgia until November 1998 when construction on a new facility located at the Nacoochee Village in Helen, Georgia was completed. Located just one half mile from Alpine Helen, the Nacoochee Village is now home to not only the Winery but to many other unique shops.
The winery is open seven days a week for tastings and sales. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12:30-6 p.m.
Popularity: 15% [?]
