Did you know that North Georgia is finding its place on the wine-country map? Cabins in Helen place you minutes away from one of the region’s most acclaimed vineyards, Habersham Winery and Vineyards. With over 150 national and international awards, the local vineyard provides its guests with a tasting room, self-guided tour and gift shop. Diversify your stay at one of the luxury cabins in Helen and tour the area’s other wineries. Do a wine-hop over the course of a weekend or extend your stay, take your time and soak-in sights of the countryside for the ultimate grape escapes.
Sautee, GA
About four miles from cabins in Helen and seated on a 197-acre estate with over 5,000 vines, the Yonah Mountain Vineyards is named after the nearby granite rock formation that is distinct from the Appalachian mountain range. This winery grows seven different grape varieties on 13 acres of the estate’s land, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and other noble grapes. Yonah Mountain’s first harvest was in 2010. Visitors can make an appointment to visit the vineyards or participate in Tour de la Cave & Barrel Tasting on Sundays.
Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards is a small, family-owned and -run vineyard. The young vineyard planted two and a half acres of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in 2009, and has plans to add up to six more acres of vines in the near future. While the vineyards are young, you can still sample the winery’s vinos in their public tasting room.
Dahlonega, GA
With the highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in north Georgia, the mountains of Dahlonega, GA are in the heart of north Georgia’s wine country and about 30 miles from cabins in Helen. The elevation and terrain are ideal for the varieties of Italian, French and American wine-grape that the area grows; and the views make the experience wonderful.
As the first vineyards in the area, Blackstock vineyards and the attractive lodge-style winery estate was founded by David Harris, a formally-trained winemaker. Specializing in complex wines for serious enthusiasts, the tasting room at Blackstock is an educational experience. Enjoy a glass of port or Merlot by the three-sided stovepipe and take in the views of the offered by the panorama of vines.
Taking its name from the Three Sisters Mountains, the Three Sisters Vineyards provides its visitors with an intimate experience on a 180-acre family farm. The winery uses American and French oak barrels, along with stainless steel tanks, to age the grapes on the estate. The grounds are home to over 13,000 vines, which include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc and Touriga grapes.
The Montaluce Estate welcomes visitors to a 25,000-square foot winery that is reminiscent of Italy’s charming Tuscan villas. The building boasts sweeping views of the area’s mountains and the property’s vineyards. In addition to offering a tasting room, visitors can dine in the restaurant Le Vigne and observe the 9,500-square foot production facility and its gravity flow winery, take a tour with the vineyard’s manager and take cooking classes.
Other area wineries and vineyards include the Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery, Frogtown Cellars and Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery.
Tiger, GA
Less than 30 miles away from the luxury cabins in Helen, Tiger Mountain Vineyards is five-generation family business. Believing that wine making is an art, this boutique winery grows Tannant, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Viognier, Petit Manseng, Mourvedre and Touriga Nacional. The growers use organic growing methods and Tiger Mountain Vineyards is the only producer of the Petit Manseng in Georgia.
Young Harris, GA
A short 30 miles from cabins in Helen, Crane Creek Vineyards in Young Harris places visitors in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The grounds enjoy a unique microclimate, which makes the temperature, moisture levels, humidity and soil ideal for the vineyards 12 acres of vines, which in clued Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Seyval Blanc, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, Chardonel, Catawba, Norton and Villard Noir grapes. Enjoy Crane Creek Vineyards’ tasting room Tuesday through Sunday.
Jasper, GA
If you want to take a scenic drive, go to the town of Jasper, which is about 66 miles from the cabins in Helen. Jasper is home to Sharp Mountain Vineyards and its hand-crafted, old-world wines. Situated on five acres of land, this vineyard was established in 1995. The owners keep their production levels low so they can focus on what’s most important—the quality of the wine produced. As of 2012, the Sharp Mountain tasting room is open to visitors Friday through Sunday. The owners encourage guests to pack a picnic basket and enjoy the view from the property’s pavilion.
Benjamin Franklin’s wise words include, “Wine is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” If this is the case, you are sure to be happy staying in the cabins in Helen while touring the region’s finest nectars. What is your favorite kind of wine?
