There are a lot of gems in North Georgia, and one of the most beautiful and delicious features in this region is the wine country. You might not normally think of wine when you think of Georgia, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of wineries in the area, and you might even find your new favorite wine when you explore the options in North Georgia.

What To Expect and How To Prepare for Your North Georgia Winery Tour

One of the most important things that you have to remember is that North Georgia's wineries are in the mountains, so you'll be traveling near dropoffs. Plus, if you're taking a tour of several wineries, you'll be drinking. That's why it's doubly important that you have a designated driver when you visit the wineries.

You should also know that a lot of the wineries have their tasting rooms within minutes of each other if they're in the same city, so you should plan your trip based on which wineries are near each other.

Popular Wineries and Special Features of the Area

The North Georgia area has nearly 30 wineries and vineyards, and most of them are located near the towns of Helen, Jasper, Clayton, and Dahlonega. Habersham is one of the oldest wineries in the area, and it's one that has some of the earliest opening times. You can get wine and wine slushies, which are great on a warm Georgia morning.

Previous teachers Raymond and Donna Castleberry are the owners of Cavender Creek Vineyard. On the property, you will find an old log cabin that the owners actually dismantled from Tennessee and brought it all the way to Georgia. It was originally brought to be used as a tasting room, but with its popularity that soon became a problem. They now have a 4,000 sqft tasting room for guests to enjoy all the delicious wines that they make on the property.

When you go to Kaya Vineyard and Winery, you can enjoy nature's beauty and a glass of wine all from the comfort of a chair. The wraparound deck offers a clear view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Plus, if you're planning a wedding, you might like to come and check it out as a possible venue because this location has luxury cottages and breathtaking views of the countryside and mountains.

Visit Fainting Goat Vineyards if you want to say hello to their two goats as you sip through a flight of wine. You can also pet their two Great Pyrenees dogs, who defend the goats against a local black bear and protect the vineyard. Plus, when you're in the yard enjoying your wine, indulge in some of the offered food, lawn games, and live music that complete the experience.

If you want to spend some time in the Northeast part of Georgia, you'll be heading into an area that's actually classified as a rainforest. While growing grapes can be a bit trickier in this type of climate, you'll like that this region is one of the best places to see waterfalls and go hiking. Go to Tiger Mountain Vineyards at the end of your hike for a relaxing end of the day.

When you're looking for things to do in North Georgia and are interested in going to wineries in the area, plan your trip to the North Georgia Wine Trail in advance to get the most out of a day-long or weekend-long experience because there's a lot to do at every winery.