Ah, the great state of Georgia… Famous for moonshine and, the entire point of this article, wine!
With most of the country and even the world associates the state with the age-old classic, moonshine, there are several wineries in Georgia proving that the state is about a whole lot more than simply ye old faithful moonshine.
When it comes to visiting a winery in Atlanta, or any of the wineries near Atlanta Ga, you’ll notice that they are often clustered together. And the next thing you’ll notice is that they’re located atop gorgeous hills. As a result, some of the wineries near Atlanta are home to some of the steepest viticultural areas within the eastern wine-growing states. This has proven to be quite helpful when it comes to producing amazing wines.
If you’ve ever been to Atlanta, you would have noticed the humidity and heat. In the world of winemaking, this makes it near impossible to grow good quality winemaking grapes. In the same breath, the top of the hills is too cold to grow the vines. By planting the vines along the slopes, the correct elevation can be found to ensure that the grapes can thrive.
Additionally, the hills provide the ideal location for the grapes to enjoy the warm sun while enjoying cool night temperatures that preserve the grape’s acidity. The red clay soil further assists by promoting drainage, which is beneficial during the rainy season.
The region is famous for the muscadine grape, a thick-skinned grape that helps keep the grape safe and healthy, regardless of the season or changing environmental conditions. European-style and Native American grapes also thrive in the region.
Most winemakers use the old winemaking techniques that involve adding sugar to the wine to balance out the bitterness of the grape. However, there is a growing group of vintners using French winemaking rules to produce a dry wine. And as a result, these vineyards are able to produce premium wines when compared to the West Coast.
So on that note, let’s take a look at some of the best wineries in Georgia.
Looking for a winery in Atlanta? Here’s our top 8.
Château Élan
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Located a mere 45 minutes from Atlanta is this 3,500-acre winery. It’s essentially a French country estate – including not one but two 18-hole golf courses as well as a spa and resort with world-class dining and a cigar club. What more could you need for a weekend away?
Well, it also happens to be the largest wine producer in the state producing more than 20,000 cases annually. There are also 30 wines available for tasting by the glass or bottle.
Kaya Vineyard & Winery
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Live music and farm to table produce, it’s pretty much paradise. You can sit in the deck and covered patio while enjoying a glass of one of the many wines produced on-site. There are cottages on site for a relaxing night away with stunning views of the vineyards and Blue Ridge mountains.
Montaluce Winery & Restaurant
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Inspired by Italy, the Montaluce’s Italian-style grounds provide a Tuscan experience without having to leave the country. They tend to favour sweeter wines, like the Viognier and Dolce Rosso. You can book a private tasting that lasts around three hours and even tour the estate grounds.
There’s also a wine hike available for the adventurous that winds past the Etowah River that finishes at the vineyard. You can then enjoy a tasting and receive a souvenir glass to take home.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery
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A cosy 8,000-square-foot winery with a Craftsman-style cottage poised on top of a fieldstone-encased cellar, how stunning does that sound? They use the French winemaking process with a smidge of Napa, however, the fruit is all proudly Georgian. From the veranda, you can look forward to peering over the foothills of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Throw in a glass of the locally produced Brut Rosé and you’ve got a winner on your hands.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
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Located just north of Cleveland is this 200-acre winery specialising in handcrafted wines. There are cave tours available as well as a walking tour that takes you through the vineyard. The wine caves are one of the only in Georgia and produce a wide variety of wines. With over 20 grapes, there are so many blends available for tasting.
Three Sisters Vineyards
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This is the oldest operational vineyard in the Dahlonega Plateau. It has been named after the mountains overlooking it. It’s a laid back, fuss-free approach to wine tasting with an outdoor patio and rustic barn available to house the tasting sessions. There are often events happening at the winery, so be sure to look it up before visiting to try and align your visit with one of them.
Frogtown
They follow strict dry wine rules if that’s what you’re into. Located atop a hill and growing 25 varietals on the stunning 44-acre grounds, there’s more than enough on offer for guests to enjoy. These wines are also shipped to 26 US states and can be enjoyed around the country.
Painted Horse Winery and Vineyard
Founded in the 1990s as a horse farm before becoming a winery and vineyard in 2017, this farm has a rich history. They currently produce handcrafted wines, specifically rose, white and red with 10 more in production. You can also enjoy live events at the estate, so be sure to phone ahead to see if there are any upcoming events to enjoy.
So, what are you waiting for? There’s never been a better time to head off to the moonshine state of Georgia and discover an entirely different world of wine tasting often missed. Trust us when we say that there are some amazing winery Atlanta destinations that you need to try.