Taking a trip or vacationing in North Georgia just north of Atlanta and want to know where the best places to go wine tasting are? Sounds like you’re in the right place, wine lovers. Whether you’re visiting Blue Ridge, Ellijay, Helen, Dahlonega, or any other town around the Chattahoochee National Forest, wine tasting abounds in North Georgia. With 30+ wineries and vineyards in the region, welcome to Wine Country on the East Coast!
There are 500+ wine grape varieties in North Georgia, producing 100s of award-winning wines that will make your mouth water for more. Many of the vineyards and wineries are family-owned, feature gorgeous views, and offer wine tastings as well as tours. After sampling local Appalachian wine, you can also grab a few bottles to bring back to the cabin for a nightcap and souvenirs to take home as a gift.
First thing’s first though, which winery should you visit? With so many options, it can be difficult to decide. That’s why we’ve grouped local wineries by town and listed their wine tasting prices (as of April 2021) plus top perks to help you choose from the best wineries in North Georgia. We’ve also tossed in a few stellar wine tours and 1-stop wine tasting shops where you can try and buy wine from vineyards around North Georgia at 1 location.
Let’s go wine tasting in North Georgia!
Blue Ridge Wineries
Wine tasting in North Georgia has to start in scenic Blue Ridge, GA. With the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains all around, it’s hard to find a place that doesn’t have gorgeous views of the hills and treescapes. Yes, that includes the local wineries. Stunning views are the perfect pairing for red wine, white wine…any wine! Enjoy tastes of chardonnay, riesling, Cayuga white, Vidal blanc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, rosé, and Georgia peach.
- Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery | $10-23
- Pet and child friendly
- Chocolate shot glasses
- Live music on Saturdays
- Blue Ridge Cellars | $20
- Family-friendly tasting room
- Serving wine, mead, beer, and cider
- Soft pretzels and ice cream!
- Serenberry Vineyards (in nearby Morganton) | ~$4-7
- Small batch wines
- Outdoor seating with firepit
- Made in Georgia snacks
See what Serenberry Vineyards is all about.
Cleveland Wineries
Historic buildings, adorable shops, and local crafts are prevalent in Cleveland, GA. It’s an ideal place to relax with a glass of wine and take in the fresh mountain breezes. Cleveland also features the Unicoi Wine Trail that supports 6 local vineyards with tastings and tours. Sample sauvignon blanc, viognier, pinot noir, petit manseng, cabernet franc, malbec, and well-crafted blends.
- Yonah Mountain Vineyards & Winery | $35 (wine glass included)
- Lovely mountain views
- Fireside tastings and live music
- Wine cave tour
- The Cottage Vineyard & Winery | $11-15
- Cheese and meat trays, craft beer, and wine slushies
- Stunning mountain views
- Outdoor bar setup on Saturdays and Sundays
- CeNita Vineyards, Winery & Tasting Room | $7-14
- Family owned and operated
- Hammocks and cornhole games outside
- Friendly staff happy to chat
- Serenity Cellars | $10-12
- Pet-friendly patio
- Beautiful vineyard views
- Grotto with live music and pizza oven (bring your own pizza)
Much like their soothing song, visit Serenity Cellars to relax and unwind in the North Georgia Mountains.
- Tesnatee River Winery and Meadery | $14
- Farm to table jam, honey, and fruits
- Artisan bread with tastings
- Homemade soaps for sale
Dahlonega Wineries
Featuring the highest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the state, Dahlonega — aka the Wine Tasting Capital of Georgia and the Heart of Georgia Wine Country — is the place to visit for passionate wine connoisseurs. Traverse the scenic Dahlonega Wine Trail that spreads across 5 wineries in the area: Cavender, Frogtown, Monaluce, Three Sisters, and Wolf Mountain. You can also stop by the many tasting rooms downtown for quick access to Dahlonega wines. Try a wide variety of sweet, semi-sweet, port, dry, white, red, blend, dessert, and sparkling wines.
- Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery | $20-25
- Cafe lunch and gourmet dinner
- Outdoor tables
- Guided winery tour
- Frogtown Cellars | $14-24
- Italian bistro
- Cheese and charcuterie trays
- Muscadine wines from their southern vineyard available
Learn more about Frogtown Cellars with Tennessee Valley Uncharted.
- Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery | $20
- Dog friendly (treats behind the counter)
- Outside patio
- Southern folk art and pottery
- Montaluce Winery & Restaurant | $30
- Vineyard views
- Locally sourced ingredients
- Outdoor tasting bar on weekends
- Cavender Creek Vineyards | $10
- Fresh sangria by the glass or pitcher!
- Rustic charm
- Snack plates
- Kaya Vineyard & Winery | $25
- Mountain and vineyard views
- Vineyard and winery tour (includes wine tasting and wine glass)
- Tasting room menu by executive chef
- Accent Cellars | ~$14-22
- Micro urban winery
- Outdoor picnic area
- Comedy nights and live music
Ellijay Wineries
Known for its apple orchards, beautiful views of the Appalachian foothills, and country stores, Ellijay, GA, is home to a few wineries worth visiting. Picturesque scenery, aromatic wines, and good ole Southern hospitality is what you’ll find here. There’s even a tasting room in downtown Ellijay — Cartecay Wine & Craft — where you can sample wines and craft beers from all over Georgia. In Ellijay, savor wines made from blueberries and Catawba grapes, wines noted with plum, black cherries, and flowers, as well as hybrid wines for unique flavors.
- Cartecay Vineyards | $10
- Tasting barn with sitting area around a wood burning stove
- Live local music on weekends
- Charcuterie boards
- Engelheim Vineyards | $12-14
- Lodge-style tasting room with fireplace
- Concert series on Fridays
- Pet friendly
Learn the meaning and pronunciation of Engelheim…if nothing else.
- Ellijay River Vineyards | ~$6
- Riverside seating
- Relaxing and quiet atmosphere
- Cheese platter and snacks
Helen Wineries
From self-guided tours and wine tastings to yummy meals and cute gift shops, wineries in Helen, GA, are great places to spend an afternoon with family and friends. Plus, there are plenty of shops and activities in the area to keep everyone entertained. Get ready to sample fine wines, including orange muscat, Chenin blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and American chardonnay.
- Habersham Winery & Vineyards | $10-12
- Award-winning wines since 1983
- One of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries
- Gift shop with gourmet treats and wine specialty items
Take a closer look at Habersham Vineyards & Winery.
- Fox Vineyards & Winery (in nearby Social Circle) | Free
- Country shop with jams, wine racks, decorative corks, etc.
- Wines to pair with Southern cooking
- Fox winery tour
- Sweet Acre Farms Winery (in nearby Alto) | $15
- Hall County’s first winery
- Upstairs loft with bar
- Overlooks blackberry fields and pasture
- Creekstone Vineyards & Winery (in nearby Sautee Nacoochee) | $10-12
- French-style mansion atop a mountain
- Expansion from Habersham Vineyards & Winery
- Leashed dogs allowed outside
Jasper Wineries
Jasper, GA, is only a short drive from Ellijay and features wineries with views of the Appalachian foothills and award-winning wines to sample and buy. Wine lists feature sauvignon blanc, blanc du bois, moscato, pinot gris, viognier, gewurztraminer, merlot, sangiovese, and delicate blends.
- Fainting Goat Vineyards | $10
- Actual fainting goats to pet on the property!
- Dog and kid friendly
- Rolling mountain views
- Sharp Mountain Vineyards | $10
- Picnics welcome
- Old-world wines
- Live music series
Pay a visit to Sharp Mountain Vineyards.
- Feathers Edge Vineyards (in nearby Ball Ground) | $10-14 (wine glass included)
- Local arts and crafts
- Live outdoor entertainment
- Food truck
- Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery (in nearby Talking Rock) | $7-12
- Vintage-style tasting room with fireplace
- Chocolate cup tastings
- Winery tours
Northeast Georgia Wineries
From the tippy top to the far east of North Georgia, there are even more wineries to explore! If you’re up for a day trip and a scenic drive from Blue Ridge onward, consider wine tasting along the way at these top Northeast Georgia wineries.
- Hightower Creek Vineyards (Hiawassee)
- Crane Creek Vineyards (Young Harris)
- Odom Springs Vineyards (Blairsville)
- Tiger Mountain Vineyards (Tiger)
- Stonewall Creek Vineyards & Winery (Tiger)
Wine Tours & One-Stop Tasting Shops
When you don’t feel like planning a day at a few vineyards or traveling from your vacation cabin to a local winery, just hop on a wine tour or head to a one-stop wine tasting shop in town! Tours do all the planning for you, so you can have a full day of wine tasting without navigating mountain roads. Some even showcase the winemaking process so you can learn about wine production in the Appalachian Mountains. And downtown tasting rooms are a great alternative for those who want to experience North Georgia Wine Country without spending an entire vacation day away from town.
- Vineyard Hoppers, North Georgia Wine Tours
- Dahlonega Wine Tours
- VIP Southern Tours
- Elite Excursions and Wine Tours
- Grape Escape Wine Adventures
- Naturally Georgia
- Canvas and Cork Wine Tasting & Art Gallery
Wine Festivals
Just what it sounds like, a wine festival is an outdoor party with wine tasting. Wine festivals in North Georgia are a great way to try many local wines without having to travel around the area. If this sounds like a win in your book, be sure to plan your next Blue Ridge Mountain vacation with a wine festival in mind.
- Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival | May
- Annual Winefest in Helen | May
- North Georgia Highlands Seafood & Wine Festival in Young Harris | June
- Blue Ridge Mountain Wine and Jazz Festival in Downtown Blue Ridge | June
- Spirit of Appalachia Food, Wine & Art Festival in Sautee Nacoochee | Sep
Sip, Stay & Play with Georgia Cabins for YOU
After traveling across North Georgia to sample some of the best wines on the East Coast, you’ll appreciate a relaxing place to call it a night. Georgia Cabins for YOU offers cabin rentals in the Blue Ridge area to suit families, friends, couples, and groups for a getaway to remember. Amenities include hot tubs, fireplaces, big screen TVs, games, and king-size beds…for starters!
Plus, with mountain, wooded, or river views, your Blue Ridge, GA, cabin rental is the perfect place to bring back a few bottles of wine to enjoy together. Book online or give us a call at 1.800.580.5524 if you need any help planning your North Georgia vacation.
Get ready to swirl, breathe, and sip at scenic North Georgia wineries, then return to your cabin rental in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a memorable nightcap!
