Visiting Georgia Wineries?
Intro to Georgia Wineries
Georgia wineries went through ups and downs before they took shape of what you see today. First Spanish explorers’ attempts to grow European grape varieties did not succeed. Later, other European immigrants started developing native varieties which were originally cultivated by Cherokee and Creek Indians. Native muscadines later formed the basis for Georgian table wines.
Georgia wineries were lush and productive at the beginning of the 20th century making the state #6 in the US wine production. Prohibition, however, “rooted out” the vines forcing them to be replaced with tomatoes and peaches.
Only in late 1970’s the industry started to pick up again, making competitive whites and potent reds. Warm and relatively humid climate of the state allows the grapes to reach their best potential. The number of wineries has almost doubled in the last decade, and keeps growing. Although most of the wine is still sold only at Georgia wineries, you will be able to find an occasional bottle outside of the state as negotiations on wine export continue.
Quick Georgia Facts
Georgia state in the SE United States, the last of the Thirteen Colonies founded. It is bordered by Florida (S), Alabama (W), Tennessee and North Carolina (N), and South Carolina and the Atlantic Ocean (E).
10 largest metropolises: Atlanta, Augusta-Richmond County, Columbus, Savannah, Athens-Clarke County, Macon, Roswell, Albany, Marietta, Warner Robins.
Atlanta's coldest month is January when the average temperature overnight is 33.5°F. In July, the warmest month, the average day time temperature rises to 89.4°F.
Georgia Wine Tours
It’s relatively easy to plan your own trip in Georgia. The state’s highways 129, 76 and 23 are marked with the wine route signs that are hard to miss. It’s better to split your exploration into a few days, since Georgia wineries are quite spread out.
For the visual of the GA Wineries highway map, click
here.
There's also this other Georgia Wineries map that has a listing of wineries as well. It may take a bit to load, but it's a nice pdf to print out and take with you. Check it out by clicking
here.
Best Wine Picks
1. Habersham Vineyards' Creekstone Viognier 2006
2. Three Sisters' Georgia Port - dessert wine
3. Cherokee Rose
4. Three Sisters' Vidal Blanc
Georgia Wine Events
Wine South is one of metro Atlanta's largest and most prestigious wine and food events. In 2007, it was held at and the Georgia World Congress Center in Downtown Atlanta. Check for this year’s dates before you go.
It presented over two hundred wineries offering tastings and education. Metro Atlanta's finest restaurants added food sampling. There were educational and interactive wine seminars, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, wine-related art exhibits, and live music all weekend long.
Find out the details @ the
Georgia Wineries Events
page.
Georgia Attractions
10 largest metropoltan areas: Atlanta, Augusta-Richmond County, Columbus, Savannah, Athens-Clarke County, Macon, Roswell, Albany, Marietta, Warner Robins,
Principal tourist attractions in Georgia include the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Andersonville Prison Park and National Cemetery, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, the Little White House at Warm Springs where President Franklin D. Roosevelt died in 1945, Sea Island, the enormous Confederate Memorial at Stone Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, and Cumberland Island National Seashore.
Ever thought of yourself as a Wine Personality? Check out what your wine personality is by taking a quiz here.
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