The town of Blue Ridge, Georgia and its surrounding region is full of all kinds of great surprises, from the artsy vibes of all the downtown shops to the variety of vineyards in and around the area.
That’s right, I said vineyards. They are plentiful here, and you may want to add them to your list to visit the next time you visit the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most are family-owned and each create their own custom-made wines, right here in Georgia.
Ready to learn more? Here are 7 great wineries in Blue Ridge GA and nearby that you’re going to love.
COOLEST PLACES TO STAY IN BLUE RIDGE GA
- Best for Foodies. Hampton Inn Blue Ridge is located in the heart of downtown Blue Ridge and features an amazing rooftop restaurant, Hook & Eye. With “burgers, brews, and beautiful views,” this is one restaurant you don’t want to miss. You’ll enjoy a free breakfast buffet at this hotel as well.
- Great Location. Comfort Inn & Suites is a pet-friendly family hotel just a few minutes from the downtown area, and even closer to Mercier Orchards and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway.
- Fun Cabin for the Family. The Cherry Log Mountain Cabin in Blue Ridge sleeps 8 and includes amazing mountain views, a hot tub, and outdoor fireplace, and a fire pit. It’s the perfect place for the whole family.
WINERIES IN BLUE RIDGE GA: BEAR CLAW VINEYARDS
Bear Claw Vineyards was created on the belief that life is busy and we need time to slow down and reconnect with the people we care about most. They say time moves slower on the vineyard. I say they don’t just make wine, but they also make smiles as you’re making memories.
This vineyard is open to dogs and children, and those who’ve been there say it’s a must visit if you’re in the area. They explain that it’s more than a vineyard. It’s also a little getaway which is very quiet and feels remote, though it’s super close to downtown Blue Ridge.
You can play cornhole or lounge by the fire pit while you’re drinking the wine. Kiddos may even enjoy playing in the nearby creek. Being situated in Blue Ridge, it offers up the breathtaking mountain views, along with its fully functioning winery on the site.
The wine is produced there and here’s a fun fact: the winery is 100% female owned. The soil on this particular spot on the globe is ideal for growing grapes. The height of 1832 feet above sea level and the cool mountain breeze help, too. The end result is a high quality wine.
They make a variety of them, including a Chardonnay that combines a southern twist of white peach, tangerine and crushed pineapple. The owners like to say they pair well with “warm southern days, tailgates, and campfires.” Sounds cozy, right?
They also make a Vidal Blanc that’s described as soft and approachable. It’s a sweet wine using tropical mango and ripe guava. Their Cabernet Sauvignon is full bodied and oak aged. This is best fit for more formal meals, including duck, lamb, venison, pork or steak.
Their White Riesling is made with honeysuckle, cantaloupe, and rose blossom flavors. And their Cayuga White is referred to as Dreamcatcher. This one is described as “refreshing, sweet, and balanced.” And it features the Georgia peach flavoring that this state is so well-known for, along with pineapple and papaya.
And finally, there’s a Treehouse Chardonnay. That’s an ode to the famous treehouse on this property. If you want to stay a little longer than a few hours, this epic abode can be rented out for the night. It was created by the guys who specialize in treehouse structures on the DIY Network. The wine named after it is described as elegant and refined, just like the treehouse.
Read More: 6 REASONS TO STAY AT THIS INCREDIBLE BLUE RIDGE TREEHOUSE HIDEAWAY
SERENBERRY VINEYARDS
Serenberry Vineyards is located about 10 miles from Downtown Blue Ridge in Morganton, and the owners like to go beyond just serving you a glass of wine. They also offer guided tastings, hosted inside what they call their “tasting barn”. Or, if you prefer to sample without the guides, you can try a wine flight that features Whites and Rose’s, along with Reds, while relaxing near the stone fireplace in their open air barn.
If you love wide open spaces, this is your spot. You can buy some of their Georgia-made snacks or just bring along your own food. You just can’t bring your own alcohol, which, honestly, why would you want to?
They have several wine options, made from their variety of grapes, intended to emphasize the serene pleasures of the North Georgia Mountains, including what they call Swan Wine. This one pays homage to the crisp morning air in the mountains where apples are famous, so this drink has hints of green apple in it.
They also have a Blue Ridge Red that you’ll want to try. They call it the patriarch of their family of wines. And the Cabernet Sauvignon offers up black cherry flavors and a bit of oak. Among other wines there’s the Coopers Creek Peach. One sip of this is meant to remind you of your childhood joy of biting into a juicy, sweet Georgia peach (just don’t let it dribble down your face like you did as a kid).
And they want you to enjoy the wine during some of the special events they host, or on nights when they offer up live music. They have everything from their “Summer Spectacular” to their “Backyard Cookout” to the “Harvest Hooplah”. Or, you can stay overnight at the Vineyard House, which holds four people, or you can rent the property to host an event of your own for up to 50 people.
Read More: DOWNTOWN BLUE RIDGE GA: 17 BEST SPOTS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
MERCIER ORCHARDS
Mercier Orchards is an incredibly popular apple orchard. But it’s much more than a spot to go pick your apples (which is fun enough), but there’s also a massive shop where you can pick up fresh baked goods and cider. And then there’s the winery.
Mercier Orchards was one of the first orchards in Georgia that grew, pressed, fermented and bottled their own product, leading to a booming industry. The winery creates its own seasonal wines and hard ciders, and offers up wines and mead from local vendors. You can even sample with cider or wine flights right there on the premises.
Pro tip from me: buy a gallon of the apple cider and then mix it with cinnamon whiskey when you get home. I can’t get enough of it. They should serve it as a drink and name it after me. Just a suggestion.
The market and bakery here is open 7 days a week.
Read More: YOUR ESSENTIAL APPLE PICKING GEORGIA GUIDE
WINERIES NEAR BLUE RIDGE
CARTECAY VINEYARDS
Cartecay Vineyards is located in Ellijay, and it offers a variety of different wines. Cartecay is a Cherokee word and translates to “bread valley”.
This property has a tasting barn and outdoor venues including the Chimney Patio, as well as the vineyards which serve up picturesque views along with your sips. They grow their own grapes and make their wines with them. You will also be treated to live musical entertainment from some of the incredibly talented and creative local and regional artists each weekend.
Sample a variety of wines including Vidal Blanc, Traminette, Chimney Blush, and Merlot. Their Vidal Blanc is a dry, white wine that produces a silky mouth feel. It has citrus and honeysuckle aromas and grapefruit and stone flavors. The Sassy Sisters is wine created from their Catawba grapes. It has citrus flavors. It’s best with spicy foods (a’la your sassy and spicy sister).
There’s also the Bee Loved, which is a blend of Mead and Traminette grapes. It’s a semi-sweet wine that has wildflower and spring flavors, with a note of honey. And if you’re all about the Red, be sure to try Law Man Red, named in honor of the history of alcohol in these parts. It’s crafted from Oaked Norton and Catawba. It has rich earthy flavors and deep plum colors.
There’s also live music many afternoons to enjoy while you’re sipping your favorite drinks, either out on the Chimney Patio or Tasting Barn Hay Loft. They even host a 5K Wine Run. I mean, if you’re going to run, it might as well be for some wine as the reward, right?
Read More: 31 SENSATIONAL THINGS TO DO IN ELLIJAY GA (WHEN YOU LEAVE THE KIDS AT HOME)
PARADISE HILLS WINERY RESORT & SPA
Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa in Blairsville promotes itself as a winery that offers up “laid-back luxury”. My kind of perfect. It’s a balance they like to meet and try to encourage others to strive for, too.
When you get here, leave the phone in the car, because this winery is all about resting and unplugging from your daily stress to focus on nature. Along with the winery, there are cabin rentals that allow you to stay a while, and if you really want to relax, there’s a European-style Wellness Spa.
There are tasting rooms and a restaurant, and spots where you can host everything from a wedding to retreats or workshops. The owners intended to create a place where you can create memories, whether it’s just for a quick escape for a day to a longer getaway with a group or just the one you love.
There’s one thing they’re not, and that’s your typical resort. They pride themselves on being unique. They grow the grapes and produce the wines right there on the property.
They use a variety of grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Chardonnel, Traminette and Sangiovese. They use seasonal techniques to help with their growth and quality, hoping to merge those skills with what the land has to offer. And everyone in the family who owns it plays a role in its success.
You can head to the tasting room any day of the week. They have three types of wines for their flights, from the classic to sweet to the winemaker’s flight where you get to take home a souvenir glass. If you’d prefer something different, you could also try their craft beers or hard ciders. They offer up warm tapas and charcuterie platters, as well. On Fridays and Saturdays you can take a VIP tour.
Read More: BLAIRSVILLE GA: A STUNNING MOUNTAIN TOWN FILLED WITH FAMILY ADVENTURE
CHATEAU MEICHTRY
Chateau Meichtry is a winery and vineyard located in Talking Rock, GA on rolling hills that make it easy to grow quality wine grapes.
You can enjoy live music while you’re there, since they play host to many local musicians each weekend as part of their Summer Concert Series. Oh, and food trucks! I mean, how perfect is that with your wine made on the spot?
You can take a private tour, too. You’ll see how they make several wines, including Chardonnay that’s barrel fermented in new Hungarian oak for three months. The weekly stirring of the lees adds layers of pear, pineapple and citrus.
There’s a Rose made of merlot grapes that are macerated and pressed for just three hours with skins on. It has notes of strawberry and candied raspberries. Yum. The Lineage is another option that is 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 10% Zinfandel and it’s aged in French oak for 19 months. It has plum, blackberry and vanilla aromas and tastes of vanilla, spices and dark fruits.
CRANE CREEK VINEYARDS
Crane Creek Vineyards is located just outside of Young Harris, Georgia, and the owner is proud to demystify the entire winemaking process.
The owner produces award-winning wines and operates on the main belief that wine is “best enjoyed with food, friends, and family, preferable all at the same time.” Who can argue with that? He mastered the art in Italy among the best and is proud to marry his knowledge with the flavors of the North Georgia mountains.
The Stone House Tasting Room offers up tasting flights, wine by the glass, and wine by the bottle. You can enjoy it with cheese and snacks on the property, or bring your own snacks along. You can also stop by for music on Friday nights.
From April through November there’s Aperitivo at the Farmhouse Market Pavilion from 6pm-8pm. From December through March there’s Stone House Soup and Acoustics at the tasting room, also from 6pm-8pm.
On Saturdays in March through November they offer vintner’s tours where you get the behind the scenes look at how they make the magic happen. The bonus is it ends at the tasting room where you’ll get a private tasting of 6 wines and an Artisan Charcuterie & Cheese Board for the group.
If you don’t want to make the drive to Young Harris, you can buy the wines in several other locations around Georgia, and even stop by the satellite tasting room in Dahlonega on the Main Square.
They even have a wine club. It’s called Crane Creek Cru and they’ll keep you posted on all the happenings at the vineyard and set you up with regular shipments of three different wine bottles. That sounds like the perfect way to make sure you keep enjoying your trip, long after it’s over.
MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP TO GEORGIA
- YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
- HOTELS: 5 Best Blue Ridge GA Hotels And Bed & Breakfasts You’ll Love
- TREEHOUSES: 7+ Dreamy Blue Ridge Treehouse Rentals You’ll Love
- DOWNTOWN BLUE RIDGE GA: 17 Best Spots You Don’t Want To Miss
- RESTAURANTS: These 27 Blue Ridge GA Restaurants Showcase Culinary Delight In The Mountains
WHERE TO STAY IN GEORGIA
Follow us here: Facebook | X | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | MSN | TripAdvisor | Flipboard | NewsBreak
All articles belong to 365 Atlanta Family LLC, and all photos belong to us as well, unless otherwise noted. It’s all copyrighted. Please don’t repost anything elsewhere without asking me first. All rights reserved. This site uses cookies to enhance your experience.
We make no guarantees of any price listed on our site. We are not responsible for content on external web sites linked from ours, including linked resources, an external blog post, any partner site, hotel property sites, or affiliate sites. We only write about places we love in an attempt to help you in your adventures, but we can’t guarantee you will love them, too.
Posts may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Several of our trips are also compensated by the respective tourism boards for the city or state we are visiting, restaurants, attractions or brands. This never impacts how we share the destination with you – opinions are always our own and we pride ourselves on that. We do not sell links or accept unsolicited guest posts under any circumstances. Don’t even ask.
United States Copyright, 365 Atlanta Family, LLC
View our Privacy Policy | Subscribe to our Newsletter | Contact Site Owner | View Terms & Conditions | About Us
