(HELEN)—The 2023 Georgia Wine Highway is back for 2023 and lasts the entire month of March. This unique wine event gives visitors to the North Georgia Mountains an opportunity to sample varietals from some of the area’s most beloved wineries, all month long. Sponsored by the Georgia Wine Producers, this year’s event features over 45 of Georgia’s finest vineyards, several of which are located in White County. Wineries will be offering tastings, vineyard tours, and event participants will also receive a commemorative souvenir wine glass. Guests can experience the Georgia Wine Highway through a physical passport, which can be purchased at participating wineries, or through a digital passport purchased through the Georgia Wine Highway app. Valued at over $600, passports are priced at just $75 each and are valid for the entire month of March.
Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience at some of area’s participating wineries.
Located just outside of Helen in nearby Cleveland, CeNita Vineyards, Winery, and Tasting Room invites visitors to enjoy a variety of white and red wines in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Established in 2008, owners Greg and Carol Chambers worked hard growing and making Estate wines and in 2015, they opened CeNita’s Tasting Room to the public. Guests are welcome to sip and relax while enjoying the vineyard views, play a game of corn-hole, relax in one of the hammocks, or chat with the knowledgeable staff members in the tasting room. CeNita Vineyards, Winery and Tasting Room, 591 Dock Dorsey Road, Cleveland, Georgia 30528; 706-865-7478
Located just a half mile south of Alpine Helen in Nacoochee Village, Habersham Winery is one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries. This locally and family-owned winery has been producing award-winning Georgia wines since 1983. Featuring two vineyards, the first of which was originally planted in the late 1970s, Habersham grows a variety of grapes including Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and several others. Guests are invited to tour the vineyard and enjoy a wine tasting in the Tasting Room. Reservations are not needed for individuals and small groups. Tastings stop a half hour before closing each day. Habersham Winery, 7025 South Main Street, Helen, Georgia 30545; 706-878-9463
Kaya Vineyard and Winery is a real Appalachian Mountain retreat featuring a winery and Tasting Room built atop a ridge at 1600 feet above elevation offering some of the most exquisite panoramic views of the North Georgia mountains. Located in nearby Dahlonega, Kaya Vineyard and Winery was one of the first and largest vineyards in the area. In addition to the vineyard, winery, and tasting room, Kaya also offers on-property lodging in luxury cottages. Owned and operated by the Werkheiser family, Kaya wines are made primarily from estate-grown grapes produced on the property and planted with classic European, Italian, and American varietals. Grapes are hand harvested and gently processed in Kaya’s own facility, which is what the family calls the art of wine. Kaya Vineyard and Winery, 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533;
706-219-3514
After growing blackberries and keeping bees for quite some time, the husband and wife team at Sweet Acre Farms Winery decided to turn their “you-pick” farm into Hall County’s first winery. Specializing in “country wines,” the wines produced at Sweet Acre Farms Winery are reminiscent of those Southern families used to make. Guests will enjoy sampling wines in the tasting room and perusing the gift shop. Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the wine slushies. They are known to be legendary! Situated in the beautiful foothills of the Northeast Georgia mountains, Sweet Acre Farms Winery is located just 10 minutes north of Gainesville. Sweet Acre Farms Winery, 8016 South Main Street, Suite B-1, Helen, Georgia 30545; 706-969-7111
Home of Twisted wines, Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars offers several varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Sweet Rose, and more. The Tasting Room is open year-round Thursday through Sunday and offers tastings, charcuterie boards, and dips to accompany tastings. In addition to the Tasting Room and cellar, guests can also stay on property at the Lodge in any of several lodge options and suites. Whether you are stopping in to visit the tasting room or staying at the Lodge, there’s no doubt you will fall in love with the rustic charm of Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars! Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars, 747 Duncan Bridge Road, Sautee, Georgia, 30571; 706-865-7371
Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a sprawling 200-acre family winery located on the southeastern base of Yonah Mountain in nearby Cleveland. After purchasing the former farmland in 2005, Bob and Jane Miller started their journey in the wine industry. Strong family values are the foundation of Yonah Mountain Vineyards and making world-class wines and enjoying the process is the ultimate goal of this husband and wife team. With 20 planted acres, Yonah Mountain Vineyards is currently producing Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Offering a variety of tasting and tour options including Reserve Wine Tastings with owners Bob and Jane Miller, guests are sure to walk away with a deeper understanding of the ins and outs of operating a winery from planting and harvesting to the barrel aging process. Yonah Mountain Vineyards,
1717 Hwy 255 South, Cleveland, Georgia, 30528; 706-878-5522
Before hitting the Georgia Wine Highway event, be sure to purchase your Passport at a participating winery or through the Georgia Wine Highway app.
When is the wine highway for 2024