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Enjoy “Wine Time” in Dahlonega and the North Georgia Mountains
Visitors to the Dahlonega are discovering the “new gold” of the North Georgia Mountains, including cultural attractions and tasteful restaurants

DAHLONEGA – February 27, 2007 – Thar’s gold in them thar’ hills around Dahlonega . . . no, not gold nuggets, gold dust, or gold bullion, but the “new gold”:  the burgeoning wine industry.  From North Georgia’s remarkably beautiful mountains have sprung forth a wide variety of vineyards that produce everything from crisp gold-tinged chardonnay and sauvignon blanc to robust ruby-hued merlot and cabernet sauvignon to slightly quirky fruit and berry blends, all of which easily compete with the finest wines of the world.   And visiting the wineries and sampling their vinos “pair” easily with exploring Dahlonega’s cultural attractions and dining at its diverse mix of restaurants that span from cozy bistros to friendly cafés to epicurean delights.  Your passport to Dahlonega’s wine country begins by visiting the website at Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce at www.dahlonega.org, calling toll-free 1.800.231.5543, or better yet dropping by the office for free maps, brochures,  and more at 13 South Park Street in the town’s vibrant, tree-shaded Historic District.

In all of Georgia, the fertile, mineral-rich land around Dahlonega has the greatest concentration of wineries, although the wine industry here actually began in the late 19th century when a group of Hungarian families migrated from the Pennsylvania mining country and settled in Haralson County near the Alabama border.  They brought with them the knowledge of those wonderful Old World winemaking traditions from Eastern Europe, and thus began a thriving industry in Georgia that has ebbed and flowed since then – mainly because of Prohibition – but now is here to stay.  Dahlonega’s wineries seized upon the renaissance of the industry in the 1970s and 1980s, and today they produce an amazingly versatile line of European, French hybrids, and even American wine grapes, making this truly the “Heart of the Georgia Wine Country.”

Amid the spectacular scenery of rolling mountain terrain and vibrant color reminiscent of California’s famed Sonoma and Napa Counties, wine connoisseurs and wanna-be wine connoisseurs alike can experience the flavor of Georgia vintages at these Dahlonega area wineries:

• Blackstock (www.bsvw.com) was the first of the current vineyards around Dahlonega.  This elegant property produces handcrafted complex reds, whites, and rosés.
• The award-winning wines of Frogtown Cellars (www.frogtownwine.com), standing sentry on a high hill overlooking the green valleys around Dahlonega, are grown on 32 acres of 15 different grape varieties.
• Three Sisters Vineyards Winery (www.threesistersvineyards.com) is an award-winning 180-acre small farm estate whose name stems from the dazzling views of Lumpkin County’s Three Sisters Mountain.
• Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery (www.wolfmountainvineyards.com) is well-known not only for its excellent selection of award-winning wines but also its lively and delectable Sunday jazz brunch.
• Opening in the fall of 2007, Montalvina Wine Estate (www.montalvina.com) seems lifted directly from the hills of Tuscany.  The winery will feature wines grown from varieties of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, chardonnay, viognier, sangiovese, and others.

Additionally, the Dahlonega Tasting Room in downtown Dahlonega is ideal for trying all of the wines and picking up a few wine-related items and gifts.

Visitors can also find “wine pairings” of a different kind in Dahlonega, which was the site of America’s first major gold rush in the 1800s.  There are plenty of cultural activities on the long, varied roster of things to do, including visiting the Gold Museum, the Buisson Art Center, or the Historic Holly Theater.  With no fewer than ten festivals – including the spirited Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in April, the Georgia Winecountry Festival in June, and the annual Gold Rush Days in October – there is quite simply something for everyone to celebrate here.  And combined with its charming historic district, plenty of local artisans, and venues for Appalachian music galore, Dahlonega easily sweeps its visitors off their feet.

There is no better place to wine-and-dine Dahlonega-style than at a local restaurant.  Hungry guests can try the fried chicken at the renowned Smith House or savor the local catches at the Oar House.  For live music and more, the Crimson Moon Café, one of Dahlonega’s favorite “watering holes,” offers a six-page menu of eclectic items.  For romance, the Corkscrew Café offers sumptuous meals and wines in an intimate setting.  And of course, there’s barbecue, Italian cuisine, Mexican fare, plenty of down-home restaurants, sandwich shops, inviting cafés, ice cream parlors, oyster bars, Irish pubs, and much, much more. With almost forty restaurants and eateries dotting Dahlonega, dining out is delightfully delicious!

With plenty of shopping, country inns, and outdoor recreation to perfectly complement the wineries, cultural activities, and dining opportunities, a visit to Dahlonega is definitely a “harvest” of fun.

Wine weekends and packages are available region-wide from spring throughout the spring and summer.  Reservations can be made directly with each innkeeper or hotelier.  Dahlonega, the site of America’s first major gold rush in 1828, is located just off Georgia 400 in the pristine and picturesque North Georgia Mountains.  Unique shopping opportunities abound in Dahlonega, especially around its historic square that easily earned a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places.  Now a center for all things Appalachian, arts and artists, and the Georgia wine industry, Dahlonega provides much to see and do during the winter season, and local innkeepers and hotels are offering specials and discounted packages for a family, couples, or friends getaway.  For more details, contact the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureau by calling toll-free 1.800.231.5543 or by visiting www.dahlonega.org.