Dahlonega Wineries, GA

There’s new gold to be discovered in the North Georgia Mountains, where magnificent grapes of European, French, and even American origin grow in fruitful vineyards.

Frogtown Cellars
After carefully researching the soil, diverse climates, and terrain of the Frogtown District of Lumpkin County, Craig and Cydney Kritzer founded their 57-acre wine estate in 1998 and started Frogtown Cellars. Today Frogtown Cellars boasts 40 vineyard acres and an innovative underground winery that incorporates a tri-level gravity flow system. The grapes arrive on the topmost floor of the winery where they are de-stemmed and crushed. The grape must then flows down to the middle floor where it ferments in tanks. When ready it descends another floor to the barrel room for aging. This unique process is producing several impressive dry white and red varietals and blends that have been duly recognized in a number of major wine competitions. In fact, the white blend Inclination was recently honored with the first California Gold medal ever awarded to a Georgia winery. Visitors to the breathtaking Georgian-style tasting room and event facility admire the winery’s view of the vineyards, four-acre lake, and Appalachian Mountains, while sampling from the list of more than 25 wines.

Montaluce Winery and Estates
Inspired by a happenstance visit to Georgia's wine country, Rob Beecham, Chief Executive Officer of Beecham Builders in Atlanta, realized a dream when he designed Montaluce, a splendid Tuscan-style community of upscale homes and getaway cottages on 400 acres with a 35-acre vineyard and winery. The majestic 25,000-square-foot winery building invites wine tourers to discover the Italian ideal of la vita bella centered on community, food, wine, and sharing. Until the wines are ready from the first harvest (fall 2008), the tasting room will pour wines crafted by their new Winemaker Stefano Salvini. Stefano comes to Montaluce from the Campodelsole Winery in Bertinoro, Italy. Above the winery, Executive Chef Steve Hewins explores the distinctive flavors of the land at Ristorante Le Vigne. Sourcing produce from the estate’s own organic garden and from local growers nearby, Le Vigne's menu reflects the region's finest seasonal offerings. Visitors are invited to come taste, tour, take a culinary class, and enjoy the views of the vineyards and mountains.

Three Sisters Vineyards
Atlanta business couple turned grape farmers, Sharon and Doug Paul, purchased farmland in the summer of 1995. They cleared and planted wine grape vines, and Three Sisters Vineyards became Dahlonega’s first bonded winery in 2000. Named for the land’s inspiring view of a dramatic trio of mountains first identified by the Cherokee as Three Sisters Mountains, Three Sisters Vineyards is situated on 184 acres of scenic land that includes a spring-fed lake. A charming gazebo sits atop the winery’s highest point to celebrate its splendid vistas. The vineyards produce 18 acres of varietals, including Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Touriga Nacional, and Cynthiana-Norton. Dedicated to consistently producing wines of the highest quality, the Pauls have involved their entire family in the winemaking process—a method that they describe as using a blend of old-world traditions and the latest technology. In fact, the Pauls proudly point out that Three Sisters is Dahlonega’s First Family Farm Winery.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery
Situated atop a mountain ridge 1,800 feet above sea level, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery enjoys a unique climate for growing their award-winning estate wines. The vineyard’s south-facing slopes are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvedre, Tannat, Petite Verdot, Malbec, Touriga Nacional, Chardonnay, and Viognier. The varieties are used for the winery’s portfolio of ten wines, including Georgia's first traditional Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. Owned by Karl Boegner and his family, the winery has fast become a favorite stop on the Dahlonega wine trail. Many wine tourers time their visit around lunch, so they can dine at The Vineyard Café, overlooking the tranquil vineyard and mountain vistas. The menu offers gourmet food and wine pairings. From February until mid-December an elaborate Sunday brunch is served. Wolf Mountain has a rustic old-world flavor, from the winery’s European antiques to the handcrafted estate wines. Although it has been here for just a decade the winery is known as an excellent wine tasting experience, and an outstanding venue for weddings of up to 200 guests.