Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Nov. 12-16/Wine News Vine; Clayton visit

North Georgia Wine Country Weather:

-Dahlonega/Northeast Georgia weather: Click Forecast / Local radar / Regional radar

On location/Clayton, Ga. Wineries, Tallulah Gorge, Goats on the Roof

No. 1/Top your winery visit list this Saturday with a trip to Tiger Mountain near Clayton.

We didn't know what to expect from this 10-year-old winery in the Northeast Georgia mountains. We've tasted some of the wines while at Naturally Georgia in Dahlonega and liked what we sampled. Plus co-owner Martha Ezzard (with husband John) and I have mutual ties and friends at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. So we were anxious to visit Tiger Mountain and return to Clayton for the first time in 12 years.

-The winery: It is tiny by comparison to some of the offerings in Dahlonega but what Tiger Mountain lacks in size is compensated for quickly by way of atmosphere, snacks and the wines (especially Burton Blanc). We visited during the first of two Leaflooker Saturdays and timed the trip perfected. This roadside winery (park on the east, sip on the west) has a wonderful patio area that was brimming with visitors Saturday. Select cheeses, excellent sausage (you've got to try the chicken and apple sausage) and the wines made for a perfect Saturday, especially at just $5 admission per person.

-The tasting room beyond the patio is perfectly sized. You can sample Tiger Mountain's wines, buy gifts and wine and get a quick read on the winery's history. It is a must visit if you're on that side of the state.

-We took home a couple bottles of Burton Blanc.

No. 2/Persimmon Creek Vineyards. We stopped by the tasting room in downtown Clayton but didn't make the tour of the winery. One tip if you want to see the winery: make reservations first. They do regular tours for $15 per person. We were a bit time crunched so we stayed downtown (it is about three miles from Tiger Mountain). The tasting room itself is very nice, done in an older, comfortable style. For $8, you get to try several wines including the Riesling and a very sweet dessert wine. Your tasting fee can be applied to a discount if purchasing wine at the shop as well. We brought home a bottle of the dryer Rei sling, having sampled a bottle over dinner the night before (see below). The tasting room or the winery pair great with a weekend trip to Clayton.

No. 3/So what else is there to do in Rabun County? Plenty. Some suggestions:

-Tallulah Gorge: This beautiful state park is a good three-hour stop if you see the sites on both rims, visit the excellent outdoors getaway. Start with a visit to the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. You truly start your hike to one of the many "stations" around the gorge inside the Yarn Center (park details). Come prepared to do some walking/hiking (i.e., no Crocs or flip flops). You can follow the paths and multiple steps to the suspension bridge and other points. You can chose between an aggressive hike or a passive one. Just remember: You have to climb back up all those stairs you descend. Think of it as an outdoor "Stairmaster." It is work the time and effort. $5 parking fee. Do the gorge before the wineries!

-Goats on the Roof: You want to scream "tourist trap" the minute you see it. So what? Go inside anyway; you'll find a wonderful selected of Amish furniture and foods. Plus, on the exterior: those very goats on the roof. The fun part is letting the kids fill a can with goat food and using the bicycle assembly to hoist the food to the waiting goats. Also on site: A wonderful fire pit and free marsh mellows to roast. This is a must if you have kids--or what a nice break from it all. Click Goats.

-The Stockton House restaurant: We didn't do our normal research before this trip. It was election week and a hundred of other excuses. So at 7:15 p.m. on a Friday, we were sitting in the Ingle's parking lot looking for dining spots via iPhone. Up popped Stockton House. We liked the quick reviews so we called and we're given easy directions from the store to the door. As we pulled up, a few remaining brain cells reminded us: we had dined here on New Year's Eve 1995. We had a great meal but some in our party were a little out of sorts that night. Not this time. We had a perfect meal including a wonderfully stuffed pork chop, Pecan Chicken Asiago, potatoes and asparagus plus bread. Our son had pasta and devoured every bit of it. As good as the food was, the service was even better. Excellent waitress. Several visits to the table by the owners. A great bottle of locally crafted wine (Persimmon's dry Reisling). With tip and all, we paid $90--and thought about returning the next evening but collapsed at the cabin after a day at the gorge, wineries and football. This is the restaurant to visit if visiting Clayton for the day or weekend. Click Web Site.

-Downtown Clayton: This is a very vibrant downtown so try to save a few hours to tour. One must: Reeves Ace Hardware. This one goes far beyond nuts, bolts and paint. You won't believe the furniture inventory under roof. Click Reeves

Special events this month:

-Nov. 20: Holiday wine tasting in Cartersville: A 'Taste of Cartersville' is set for 6:30 until 9:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the future home of the Bartow History Museum. Sample foods from downtown restaurants and wines as well as gifts available at downtown Cartersville shops. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple. 21 and older, please. Lisa Poole will conduct the wine tasting; the Etowah Jazz Society will perform. Proceeds benefit the museum project and the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority.

-Nov. 21: Naturally Georgia and Bleu Gallery on the Dahlonega square welcome Tiger Mountain Vineyards’ wine makers & owners, John and Martha Ezzard for an evening of wine tasting! Click naturallygeorgia.

-Nov. 21, 22: "The Best of the Best: One Sweet Meet & Greet." So how does Three Sisters Vineyards live up to that lead-in? By offering rare tastings of " our finest dessert wines ... we offer tastings of 'Dahlonega Gold,' our special 'ice wine' made from frozen Vidal grapes, and Three Sisters 'Georgia Port,'-both wines voted the best of Georgia by 2008 & 2007 Ritz Carlton-Georgia Trend Tasting." On Saturday: Cakes, cookies and chocolates to sample and purchase. There's no admission fee.

-Nov. 29: Santa Claus is coming . . . to Yonah Mountain Vineyards' tasting room (almost) from noon to 2 p.m. St. Nick actually will be next door at Elf Works. At the Sautee-Nachoochee tasting room, you can sample nine wines for $10 and get the Yonah Mountain glass.

What's ahead at the wineries:

-Nov. 13, Annual Truffle and Wine Dinner, Montaluce Winery and Estates. "Chef Steven Hartman will be pairing Piedmont's famous wines with a multicourse dinner ... This is an annual tradition in Italy and our most exciting wine dinner of the year. A cocktail reception will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. featuring the photography of Jill & Richard Ediger with a cash bar. The dinner will start at 7 p.m. The cost: $95 per person."

-Nov. 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.

-Nov. 14: 26th anniversary wine dinner at The Georgia Winery. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7. $35 per person, includes a glass of wine. Dancing afterward.

-Nov. 15, 22, 29 at at Wolf Mountain: Seventh Annual Wild Game, Mushroom & Red Wine Festival: On the menu:
Wild Game Chili, Grilled Quail, Chicken Coupage, Venison Sausage and mushroom strudel. $30 per person. Seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Nov. 21: Big Red Wine Release Dinner at Frogtown Cellars. $55 per person (

-Nov. 22: Wolf Mountain release; please see below.

-Nov. 26: Thanksgiving. Here's how the day is shaping up with the wineries:

>Montaluce is offering a special Thanksgiving brunch buffet from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. A majority of the food will come from regional vendors. $30 per adult and $15 for children under 11. Click Details.

>Wolf Mountain, closed Nov. 26-27.

>BlackStock, closed Nov. 26.

>We suggest you check with the wineries you want to visit before leaving to ensure holiday hours; see winery guide to the right of this page.

-Nov. 28. Special release at Yonah Mountain's tasting room (see below)

-Dec. 5, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday Open House. "Christmas nibbles, mulled wine, and hot cider."

-Dec. 6, 13, 20, Wolf Mountain: Holiday Open House. Homemade soup, holiday hors d'oeuvres served around the Christmas tree. Seatings are available at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Wines available by the glass or bottle. Cost: $25.
-Dec. 11-13: Winter Wine Highway, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

-Dec. 12, Wolf Mountain, Gourmet Dinner, 7 p.m. in celebration of the Holidays. The cost is $80 per person, all inclusive and includes a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings> Details

-Dec. 21, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 6-8 p.m., winter solstice celebration of the year's longest night.

-March 20, 21: Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . Details

Latest wine release news:

-Nov. 22, Wolf Mountain: "The release of our Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon . . . This limited vintage marks the first time we have bottled a single varietal wine and it won't be available for long! We will release the reserve to our Wine Club Members first and then the remainder to the public "

-Nov. 28: Release party for the 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh, 1-4 p.m. Serenity Cellars, in conjunction with Yonah Mountain Vineyards, releases 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh. Limited to 60 cases, it is "a medium bodied, deep, dark red that is the perfect compliment to coming holiday festivities. The release is at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room in Sautee-Nacoochee. Jazz crooner Monica Spears of Cornelia will perform. Customers will be offered a pour of four wines at no charge or a full tasting-- including a pour of nine wines and a Yonah Mountain Vineyards glass--for $10.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Great fall weekend to visit wineries

North Georgia Wine Country Weather:

-Dahlonega/Northeast Georgiaweather: Click Forecast / Local radar / Regional radar

Special events set for this month:

-Nov. 21/Naturally Georgia and Bleu Gallery on the Dahlonega square welcome Tiger Mountain Vineyards’ wine makers & owners, John and Martha Ezzard for an evening of wine tasting! Click naturallygeorgia.

-Nov. 21, 22: "The Best of the Best: One Sweet Meet & Greet." So how does Three Sisters Vineyards live up to that lead-in? By offering rare tastings of " our finest dessert wines ... we offer tastings of 'Dahlonega Gold,' our special 'ice wine' made from frozen Vidal grapes, and Three Sisters 'Georgia Port,'-both wines voted the best of Georgia by 2008 & 2007 Ritz Carlton-Georgia Trend Tasting." On Saturday: Cakes, cookies and chocolates to sample and purchase. There's no admission fee.

-Nov. 29: Santa Claus is coming . . . to Yonah Mountain Vineyards' tasting room (almost) from noon to 2 p.m. St. Nick actually will be next door at Elf Works. At the Sautee-Nachoochee tasting room, you can sample nine wines for $10 and get the Yonah Mountain glass.

What's ahead at the wineries:

-Nov. 6, Dinner and a Movie, Montaluce. Showing: A Walk In The Clouds

-Nov. 7, 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.

-Nov. 8, 15, 22, 29 at at Wolf Mountain: Seventh Annual Wild Game, Mushroom & Red Wine Festival: On the menu:
Wild Game Chili, Grilled Quail, Chicken Coupage, Venison Sausage and mushroom strudel. $30 per person. Seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Nov. 14: 26th anniversary wine dinner at The Georgia Winery. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7. $35 per person, includes a glass of wine. Dancing afterward.

-Nov. 21: Big Red Wine Release Dinner at Frogtown Cellars. $55 per person (

-Nov. 22: Wolf Mountain release; please see below.

-Nov. 26: Thanksgiving. Here's how the day is shaping up with the wineries:

>Montaluce will be offering a special Thanksgiving dinner; details to come.

>Wolf Mountain, closed Nov. 26-27.

>BlackStock, closed Nov. 26.

>We suggest you check with the wineries you want to visit before leaving to ensure holiday hours; see winery guide to the right of this page.

-Nov. 28. Special release at Yonah Mountain's tasting room (see below)

-Dec. 5, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday Open House. "Christmas nibbles, mulled wine, and hot cider."

-Dec. 6, 13, 20, Wolf Mountain: Holiday Open House. Homemade soup, holiday hors d'oeuvres served around the Christmas tree. Seatings are available at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Wines available by the glass or bottle. Cost: $25.
-Dec. 11-13: Winter Wine Highway, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

-Dec. 12, Wolf Mountain, Gourmet Dinner, 7 p.m. in celebration of the Holidays. The cost is $80 per person, all inclusive and includes a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings> Details

-Dec. 21, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 6-8 p.m., winter solstice celebration of the year's longest night.

-March 20, 21: Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . Details

Latest wine release news:

-Nov. 22, Wolf Mountain: "The release of our Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon . . . This limited vintage marks the first time we have bottled a single varietal wine and it won't be available for long! We will release the reserve to our Wine Club Members first and then the remainder to the public "

-Nov. 28: Release party for the 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh, 1-4 p.m. Serenity Cellars, in conjunction with Yonah Mountain Vineyards, releases 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh. Limited to 60 cases, it is "a medium bodied, deep, dark red that is the perfect compliment to coming holiday festivities. The release is at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room in Sautee-Nacoochee. Jazz crooner Monica Spears of Cornelia will perform. Customers will be offered a pour of four wines at no charge or a full tasting-- including a pour of nine wines and a Yonah Mountain Vineyards glass--for $10.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Wine News Vine, Oct. 30-Nov. 2

North Georgia Wine Country Weather:

Fall leaf watching continues in the heart of Georgia's wine country. Georgia LeafWatch 2009> Details

-Friday: Cloudy, high near 66.
-Friday night: 70% rain chance, low of 57.
-Saturday: 70% rain chance with a high near 65.

-Saturday night: 60% rain chance with a low around 50.
-Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. (Remember the time change: fall back an hour)

-Dahlonega weather: Click Forecast / Local radar / Regional radar

What's ahead at the wineries including Halloween-themed events:

-Oct. 31: Nevermore 2009 at Persimmon Creek. Edgar Allen Poe dinner and tasting. 7 p.m. dinner. $95 per person. Details: Click Here.

-Oct. 31: Halloween Party at BlackStock. Wear a costume and you might win a case of wine.

-Oct. 31: Call it 'HalloWINE' at Three Sisters, Dahloenga: The winery is sponsoring a free open house to celebate "Hallo-WINE." 12:30-5 p.m. Ghosts, music (Buzzard Mountain Boys), free tastes of "our wines, especially our 'Blood Mountain Red.' Plus: Check out the new Crush Pad Deck.

-Nov. 1/Rome Symphony's Fifth Annual Fine Wine Festival set: The Fifth Annual Rome Fine Wine Festival, benefiting the Rome Symphony Orchestra, is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Forrest Building Ballrooms on Broad Street in Rome. The event will feature wines from around the world, local distributors and local wine and liquor stores. Also, 11 area restaurants are participating. Rome Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform and there will be a silent auction. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $50 each or $60 at the door. Each guest receives a complimentary Riedel glass. A Patrons' Party is set for 2-3:30 p.m. with guest sommeliers; tickets for this event are $85. David Dohrmann is this year's chairman. Details: Rome Symphony office at 706-291-7967.

-Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at at Wolf Mountain: Seventh Annual Wild Game, Mushroom & Red Wine Festival: On the menu:
Wild Game Chili, Grilled Quail, Chicken Coupage, Venison Sausage and mushroom strudel. $30 per person. Seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Nov. 6, Dinner and a Movie, Montaluce. Showing: A Walk In The Clouds

-Nov. 7, 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.

-Nov. 22. Wolf Mountain release (see below)

-Thanksgiving weekend note: Be sure to check with each winery before planning a Thanksgiving weekend visit. Some will be closed for the holiday. All the wineries are listed to the right.

-Nov. 28. Special release at Yonah Mountain's tasting room (see below)

-Dec. 5, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Holiday Open House. "Christmas nibbles, mulled wine, and hot cider."

-Dec. 6, 13, 20, Wolf Mountain: Holiday Open House. Homemade soup, holiday hors d'oeuvres served around the Christmas tree. Seatings are available at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Wines available by the glass or bottle. Cost: $25.
-Dec. 11-13: Winter Wine Highway, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

-Dec. 12, Wolf Mountain, Gourmet Dinner, 7 p.m. in celebration of the Holidays. The cost is $80 per person, all inclusive and includes a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings> Details

-March 20, 21: Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . Details

Latest wine release news:

-Nov. 22, Wolf Mountain: "The release of our Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon . . . This limited vintage marks the first time we have bottled a single varietal wine and it won't be available for long! We will release the reserve to our Wine Club Members first and then the remainder to the public "

-Nov. 28: Release party for the 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh, 1-4 p.m. Serenity Cellars, in conjunction with Yonah Mountain Vineyards, releases 2009 Serenity Cellars New Vogh. Limited to 60 cases, it is "a medium bodied, deep, dark red that is the perfect compliment to coming holiday festivities. The release is at Yonah Mountain Vineyards Tasting Room in Sautee-Nacoochee. Jazz crooner Monica Spears of Cornelia will perform. Customers will be offered a pour of four wines at no charge or a full tasting-- including a pour of nine wines and a Yonah Mountain Vineyards glass--for $10.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Wine News Vine for Oct. 22-26

North Georgia Wine Country Weather:

Fall leaf watching continues in the heart of Georgia's wine country. Georgia LeafWatch 2009> Details

-Friday: 80% rain chance, mainly after 2 p.m. High near 62.
-Friday night: 90% rain chance, low of 54.
-Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64.

-Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
-Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

-Dahlonega weather: Click Forecast / Local radar / Regional radar

On location/Biltmore's Winery, Asheville, N.C.

Details about the winery at Biltmore: Click Winery

Overview: The good news is a tour of the winery and complimentary wine sampling is included in your Biltmore day pass, which means you pay up to $50 per person to get inside the massive compound. And it is worth every penny, especially the expanded tours of the Vanderbilts' home. If you haven't been to Biltmore in a few years, go. The access to the estate home and gardens has been expanded to include the second and third floors as well as the basement.

-The bad news is, to get to the winery for that free sampling, or the for-pay premium tasting bar (three samples, $8), you need that day pass. Or you can convert your daily pass to an annual pass and visit all your want for $50 more.

-And the so-so news: Once in the winery and at the tasting bars (free and paid), you'll taste some of the expansive wines. Maybe it is just us but it seems the glitzier the winery, the less we like the wine itself. (Wine list). But there are some keepers and we brought a few bottles home for friends to enjoy.

-What we liked: The quick wine tour was fun--and self-guided -- although attendants are on duty. You see the production area, the underground wine library, a great event room that looks as if you're in a castle's hidden wine cellar, an expansive free sampling area, the premium wine sampling bar (much smaller) and finally the vast winery store. This is a trick we wish more North Georgia wineries would adopt: let people see how the wine is produced.

-The sampling experience: Let's start with the "freebie" first. The pourer is very knowledgeable and let's you try as many samples from the non-premium wine list as you'd like. These are smaller samples than you get at the North Georgia locations but enough to let you know if the wine is something you wish to buy. The sampling room is huge. There's not a lot of atmosphere although a recent paint job does brighten it considerably. The premium bar is much smaller, with elbow-to-elbow room for perhaps a dozen people at a time. You pay as you go (we suggest the $8 three-sample package because it saves a dollar and you'll probably not want to go much further down the wine list than that). Between the free and premium tastings, we sampled eight wines. All are OK in quality with a few standouts. We did enjoy the Chenin Blanc, Merlot and Limited Release Merlot. The Century White Wine was sweeter than most Reislings but enjoyable.

-The amenities: The winery opened in 1985 and this is a busy time to visit. Around 2,200 guests toured the winery on Oct. 16 and we were among the 2,300 expected the next day. We're pretty sure they hit that goal. The winery complex is attractive, built around the former dairy. The vineyard is off site, around 100 acres near the French Broad River. (Click History). The winery is close to The Inn on Biltmore Estate and a new complex is rising nearby to increase the total visit experience (think "Helen" in Asheville but with a Biltmore touch). The winery features some outdoor wine gardens as well. Plus: You can save the admission price by sampling a few wines at the main gate.

-The Asheville experience: The Biltmore estate is a must-see. Plan to spend at least four to five hours on property, saving the winery for last (hours are noon to 7 p.m.). You'll want a break after all the stair climbing at the home itself. Off property, try dinner at Grove Park Inn. You'll find a few dining options there and the meals are surprisingly affordable. The wine list looks like something out of "War & Peace" and the prices as up there. A wonderful bottle of Reisling we chose with dinner Friday night was recommended by the sommelier -- for $96. We found the same wine available locally for $20 or so a bottle. It cost more than our combined meals that night and we had a wonderful chicken dish with out-of-this-world squash bisque. Accommodations: Shop the online specials and don't be taken by the photos on the Web sites. We stayed at a new "suite hotel" where prices went up $50 per night because of leaf season. The nearby Marriott Residence Inn would have been just as nice--and would have featured breakfast as well. Downtown Asheville is as eclectic as you've heard: wonderful shops, restaurants and more. Visit The Mast General Store, one of our regional favorites. It is a throwback retail experience.

Photos include, top to bottom, the 'free' sampling bar; the wine library; and two production area photos.

This weekend & what's ahead

-Oct. 24: Annual Harvest Festival, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Scheduled: hayrides, grape stomping, tours, a kiddie tent and more family events. Tickets: adults $20, ages 13-20, $10; children under 12, free. Ticket price includes wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, lunch and admission to all of the activities.
-Oct. 24: Call it 'HalloWINE' at Three Sisters, Dahloenga: The winery is sponsoring a free open house Oct. 24, 25 and 31 to celebate "Hallo-WINE." 12:30-5 p.m. Ghosts, music, free tastes of "our wines, especially our 'Blood Mountain Red.'

-Oct. 25: Seventh Annual end of Harvest Celebration/Bluegrass Brunch at Wolf Mountain: Live bluegrass music and a harvest buffet featuring your fall favorites. $30 per person (plus tax and tip; wine extra). Seatings: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
-Oct. 25: Montaluce site of Tweet Up: HelloNorthGeorgia.com and Montaluce Winery & Estates are organizing a North Georgia 'Tweet Up' for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the winery. 2-4 p.m. Click Tweet Up

-Oct. 29: Fourth Annual Georgia Aquarium AquaVino, 7-10 p.m. This year’s event invites guests to “Sip, Savor and Sea” the wonders of the ocean. Scheduled: More than 200 wines and samples from 30 Atlanta restaurants. All proceeds support the aquarium’s veterinary services facility through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Cost: $150 to $200 per person. Details: Click Here

-Oct. 31: Nevermore 2009 at Persimmon Creek. Edgar Allen Poe dinner and tasting. 7 p.m. dinner. $95 per person. Details: Click Here.

-Oct. 31. Halloween Party at BlackStock. Wear a costume and you might win a case of wine.

-Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at at Wolf Mountain: Seventh Annual Wild Game, Mushroom & Red Wine Festival: On the menu:
Wild Game Chili, Grilled Quail, Chicken Coupage, Venison Sausage and mushroom strudel. $30 per person. Seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Nov. 7, 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.

-Thanksgiving weekend note: Be sure to check with each winery before planning a Thanksgiving weekend visit. Some will be closed for the holiday. All the wineries are listed to the right.
-Dec. 11-13: Winter Wine Highway, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

-Dec. 12, Wolf Mountain, Gourmet Dinner, 7 p.m. in celebration of the Holidays. The cost is $80 per person, all inclusive and includes a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings> Details

-March 20, 21: Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . Details

Wine events in your community:

-Nov. 1/Rome Symphony's Fifth Annual Fine Wine Festival set: The Fifth Annual Rome Fine Wine Festival, benefiting the Rome Symphony Orchestra, is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Forrest Building Ballrooms on Broad Street in Rome. The event will feature wines from around the world, local distributors and local wine and liquor stores. Also, 11 area restaurants are participating. Rome Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform and there will be a silent auction. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $50 each or $60 at the door. Each guest receives a complimentary Riedel glass. A Patrons' Party is set for 2-3:30 p.m. with guest sommeliers; tickets for this event are $85. David Dohrmann is this year's chairman. Details: Rome Symphony office at 706-291-7967.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Wine News Vine

Weekend highlights for Oct. 16-18:

-Before the wine, there was gold in the hills of Northeast Georgia: Dahlonega's annual Gold Rush Days is this weekend so expect some extra crowds around the heart of North Georgia's wine country. Almost all of the activities will be in the downtown neighborhoods with some street closings planned. The wineries should be operating as normal; the downtown tasting rooms should see extra crowds as will restaurants and accommodations. You'll find complete festival details by clicking Gold Rush.

-Georgia LeafWatch 2009 site now online> Details

-Weather: Great fall weekend ahead with highs in the low 60s, rain should be gone> Details

-Nice piece on North Georgia wineries by Ed Thralls of Wine Tonite! Click: http://bit.ly/aovWT

-Complete look at wine/winery events this weekend and what's ahead> Click Calendar

Georgia wine releases:

-Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, releasing Mountain Harvest White. New vintage is in the Tasting Room.

-Three Sisters, Dahlonega: Three Sisters Vineyards is very proud to announce the full release of our first Georgia Port. It is "hand crafted from our limited planting of Touriga Nacional port grapes. Three Sisters Georgia Port was selected as "Best Dessert Wine in Georgia" in the first Ritz Carlton-Georgia Trend wine panel tasting." Price: $43 a bottle. Tastings set over Thanksgiving weekend.

Wine events in your community:

-Nov. 1/Rome Symphony's Fifth Annual Fine Wine Festival set: The Fifth Annual Rome Fine Wine Festival, benefiting the Rome Symphony Orchestra, is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Forrest Building Ballrooms on Broad Street in Rome. The event will feature wines from around the world, local distributors and local wine and liquor stores. Also, 11 area restaurants are participating. Rome Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform and there will be a silent auction. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $50 each or $60 at the door. Each guest receives a complimentary Riedel glass. A Patrons' Party is set for 2-3:30 p.m. with guest sommeliers; tickets for this event are $85. David Dohrmann is this year's chairman. Details: Rome Symphony office at 706-291-7967.

This weekend & what's ahead

-Oct. 15: Montaluce's Le Vigne will be offering a wine dinner hosted by Valter Scarbolo, a Friulian winemaker. The dinner features a four course meal with a final course of artisanal Italian cheeses. Participants will also enjoy six different Scarbolo wines hand-picked and introduced by the winemaker himself. Make reservations through “opentable” via Montaluce.com. $95 per person.

-Oct. 17-18: Harvest Festival at Montaluce: "The wine is in the tanks and the harvest is complete! On Oct. 17-18, celebrate the bounty of our 2009 harvest. Live music, hayrides, special events for the kids, food and wine. Children's activities both days, 1-5 p.m.; live music both days from 1 to 7 p.m.; grape stomping at 3 p.m.; hayrides, noon to 5 p.m. -Oct. 17: Old Highway 441 celebration, Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. $15 per person.

-Oct. 18, 25: Seventh Annual end of Harvest Celebration/Bluegrass Brunch at Wolf Mountain: Live bluegrass music and a harvest buffet featuring your fall favorites. $30 per person (plus tax and tip; wine extra). Seatings: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Oct. 18, Frogtown Cellars, Dahlonega, Sunday Wine Taster Brunch, 12:30, 2:30 p.m. seatings. $35. > Click
-Oct. 24: Annual Harvest Festival, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Scheduled: hayrides, grape stomping, tours, a kiddie tent and more family events. Tickets: adults $20, ages 13-20, $10; children under 12, free. Ticket price includes wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, lunch and admission to all of the activities.
-Oct. 24: Call it 'HalloWINE' at Three Sisters, Dahloenga: The winery is sponsoring a free open house Oct. 24, 25 and 31 to celebate "Hallo-WINE." 12:30-5 p.m. Ghosts, music, free tastes of "our wines, especially our 'Blood Mountain Red.'
-Oct. 25: Montaluce site of Tweet Up: HelloNorthGeorgia.com and Montaluce Winery & Estates are organizing a North Georgia 'Tweet Up' for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the winery. 2-4 p.m. Click Tweet Up

-Oct. 29: Fourth Annual Georgia Aquarium AquaVino, 7-10 p.m. This year’s event invites guests to “Sip, Savor and Sea” the wonders of the ocean. Scheduled: More than 200 wines and samples from 30 Atlanta restaurants. All proceeds support the aquarium’s veterinary services facility through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Cost: $150 to $200 per person. Details: Click Here

-Oct. 31: Nevermore 2009 at Persimmon Creek. Edgar Allen Poe dinner and tasting. 7 p.m. dinner. $95 per person. Details: Click Here.

-Oct. 31. Halloween Party at BlackStock. Wear a costume and you might win a case of wine.

-Nov. 7, 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.
-Dec. 11-13: Winter Wine Highway, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

-Dec. 12, Wolf Mountain, Gourmet Dinner, 7 p.m. in celebration of the Holidays. The cost is $80 per person, all inclusive and includes a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings> Details

-March 20, 21: Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . DetailsWine

Friday, October 9, 2009

Oct. 9-15, 2009

New on Friday: Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, releasing Mountain Harvest White. New vintage is in the Tasting Room.

Frogtown's new Web site: Frogtown Cellars' Web site has a new look starting this month. It is cleaner and easier to use compared to the previous version. You'll find ways to sign up for e-mail alerts on events and new wines; take a survey on favorite wines; a new calendar; and additional details. Click Frogtown

Next wine trip April 18 courtesy of Marietta Wine Market: A busload visited the North Georgia wineries last weekend. "We had a great time in North GA on Sunday. Our next North GA Wine Trip is scheduled for Sunday, April 18th 2010 (More details to come)." For those in the North/Metro area, give it a close look. It's a great deal.

Dahlonega, heart of wine country, makes 'Where to Retire' magazine: The latest issue picks Dahlonega as a top retirement spot. Included: " With area wineries, continuing-education courses, theater, music, arts and festivals, the community keeps retirees active."> Access North Georgia

Cedar House Inn & Yurts among "best in the south" winners, says Bedandbreakfast.com

Montaluce mourns Seth Scarbolo: There's a passing of note at Montaluce this week. Le Vigne's sous chef, Seth Scarbolo, died suddenly. Writes Rob Beecham: "Seth was a wonderful young man whom we loved and cherished. We will be holding a candle light vigil tonight at the winery for all of those of ...you who knew and loved him. "

Wine events in your community:

-Nov. 1/Rome Symphony's Fifth Annual Fine Wine Festival set: The Fifth Annual Rome Fine Wine Festival, benefiting the Rome Symphony Orchestra, is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Forrest Building Ballrooms on Broad Street in Rome. The event will feature wines from around the world, local distributors and local wine and liquor stores. Also, 11 area restaurants are participating. Rome Symphony Orchestra musicians will perform and there will be a silent auction. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $50 each or $60 at the door. Each guest receives a complimentary Riedel glass. A Patrons' Party is set for 2-3:30 p.m. with guest sommeliers; tickets for this event are $85. David Dohrmann is this year's chairman. Details: Rome Symphony office at 706-291-7967.

This weekend/what's ahead
-Oct. 9: Dinner and a Movie at Montaluce: Dirty Dancing.

-Oct. 11 (18, 25): Seventh Annual end of Harvest Celebration/Bluegrass Brunch at Wolf Mountain: Live bluegrass music and a harvest buffet featuring your fall favorites. $30 per person (plus tax and tip; wine extra). Seatings: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Oct. 11: Sunday Wine Taster Brunch at Frogtown Cellars: This is a good deal: brunch and wine samples for $35 per person (plus tax and tip).

-Oct. 15: Montaluce's Le Vigne will be offering a wine dinner hosted by Valter Scarbolo, a Friulian winemaker. The dinner features a four course meal with a final course of artisanal Italian cheeses. Participants will also enjoy six different Scarbolo wines hand-picked and introduced by the winemaker himself. Make reservations through “opentable” via Montaluce.com. $95 per person.

-Oct. 17-18: Harvest Festival at Montaluce: "The wine is in the tanks and the harvest is complete! On Oct. 17-18, celebrate the bounty of our 2009 harvest. Live music, hayrides, special events for the kids, food and wine. Children's activities both days, 1-5 p.m.; live music both days from 1 to 7 p.m.; grape stomping at 3 p.m.; hayrides, noon to 5 p.m. -Oct. 17: Old Highway 441 celebration, Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. $15 per person.
-Oct. 24: Annual Harvest Festival, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Scheduled: hayrides, grape stomping, tours, a kiddie tent and more family events. Tickets: adults $20, ages 13-20, $10; children under 12, free. Ticket price includes wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, lunch and admission to all of the activities.
-Oct. 24: Call it 'HalloWINE' at Three Sisters, Dahloenga: The winery is sponsoring a free open house Oct. 24, 25 and 31 to celebate "Hallo-WINE." 12:30-5 p.m. Ghosts, music, free tastes of "our wines, especially our 'Blood Mountain Red.'
-Oct. 25: Montaluce site of Tweet Up: HelloNorthGeorgia.com and Montaluce Winery & Estates are organizing a North Georgia 'Tweet Up' for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the winery. 2-4 p.m. Click Tweet Up
-Oct. 31: Nevermore 2009 at Persimmon Creek. Edgar Allen Poe dinner and tasting. 7 p.m. dinner. $95 per person. Details: Click Here.

-Oct. 31. Halloween Party at BlackStock. Wear a costume and you might win a case of wine.

-Nov. 7, 14: Leaflooker Saturdays at Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. Visit the winery between 1:30 and 4 p.m. Nov. 7 and 14 for wine, music and grilled sausages. $10 per person.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Wine News Vine, Oct. 1-4

CHATEAU ELAN: Beautiful campus, great tour, so-so wines

Like many others, Chateau Elan was our first contact with the state's emerging wine industry. In the early '90s, Donald Panos was earning headlines as new amenities were added to the ever-popular stop off Interstate 85 near Atlanta. We sipped the wine samples then and were secure in the fact that Bud Light was still our beverage of choice.

Our return 15 years later solidified our first view even if our tastes for adult beverages has changed a bit. Chateau Elan remains a landmark attraction, one of the best in the state. A gorgeous setting just off the interstate. Excellent accommodates. Exotic dining. Plenty of ways to pamper oneself from the spa to the equestrian facilities to the winery tours and golf.

But we still need no more than the five samples you get at the $5 tasting/tour to know the wine isn't for us. We enjoyed the walk through the vineyards, sampled a crate of recently harvest grapes, saw the massive vats and oak sticks that make it all come together. But when we gathering around the incredible tasting bar and tried an ounce of this and an ounce of that, we concluded that we wouldn't need to stop by the wine shop on the way out to take some home.

And that was a first as we've always found at least one pour, one bottle, to test at home with family and friends.

Your tastes are different from ours; we certainly endorse spending an afternoon, night or weekend at Chateau Elan. But if you're looking for the taste and texture of wine you'll find in the North Georgia mountains--from Dahlonega to Young Harris to Tiger-- you won't find it here. But do the wine tasting and try to catch the tour that comes with it. The tour and the take-home wine glass ($10 on Saturday) easily are worth the investment.

>For more on Georgia's wineries, click Winery Profiles

Some things that help make an overnight or weekend stay near Chateau Elan ever better:

1) The Mayfield Dairy tour just across I-85 from Chateau Elan and up a few blocks. The tours are daily except for Sunday (Details). And even better: They're free. In around 30 minutes, you'll get a live infomercial on how and why that Mayfield milk in the yellow carton is so special--and pricey. And you'll leave thinking the price is right. In addition to the tour, you'll spend a good bit of time in the gift shop and, we strong recommend, the ice cream counter. For $1.50, you get an overflowing scoop of your favorite Mayfield ice cream flavor in a cup or cone. No matter young or old, make this a priority stop.

2) The Gwinnett Braves. You're going to pay more than you would at most minor league stadiums but less than you do at Turner Field (unless you take advantage of one of those deals). No matter, make the trip, make the investment. Gwinnett Stadium is an open-air beauty. The seats sink into the ground as if part of some modern amphitheater. The 2010 season isn't that far away, and the 2009 edition wasn't bad, having made the International League playoffs. If you have kids: Take advance of the $1 berm seats. Bring a blanket, spread out and relax. Click Gwinnett Braves.

3) The Mall of Georgia: Recession? What recession? This place is hoping and the development around it continues in robust form. A new BrandsMart between the mall and the baseball stadium is a huge hit already. And the shopping? Great selection of stores with some great deals. Plus: Chateau Elan has a $99 overnight special under way on select dates. Click Mall.

-Also nearby: Discover Mills, home of Bass Pro Shop, and the Gwinnett Arena, a great venue and home of the Gwinnett Gladiators minor league hockey team.

4) Accommodations: Plenty of options are online, including good deals at Chateau Elan, at motels just across the street or in about a 10-mile radius. Our suggestion: Pick a spot near the Mall of Georgia; it is a central location for food, entertainment and shopping.

This week's spotlight:

http://www.pitchengine.com/brands/radiancesolar/images/27670/D039380b.jpg -Persimmon Creek using solar power to operate winery: Persimmon Creek Vineyards launches solar power efforts at its winery in Rabun County. Co-owners Mary Ann and William “Sonny” Hardman partnered with Atlanta-based Radiance Solar to install an eight-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the winery, trapping energy from the sunlight and converting it into a usable form to power the vineyard’s many functions> Expanded details

>Fourth Annual Georgia Aquarium AquaVino on Oct. 29, 7-10 p.m. This year’s event invites guests to “Sip, Savor and Sea” the wonders of the ocean. Scheduled: More than 200 wines and samples from 30 Atlanta restaurants. All proceeds support the aquarium’s veterinary services facility through the Correll Center for Aquatic Animal Health. Cost: $150 to $200 per person. Details: Click Here
>Winter Wine Highway, Dec. 11, 12 and 13, $20 per person. Your weekend passport gets you tastings at participating wineries. Details: Click Here.

>Spring Wine Highway Weekend dates set--March 20, 21: Save the date for the fifth annual Wine Highway Weekend. The 2009 edition was a huge hit . Details


This weekend/what's ahead
-Oct. 3: Georgia Winery's 2009 Grape Stomp, Ringgold, 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Click Details.
-Oct. 3: Naturally Georgia tasting room update, Dahlonega: "Join us from 5-9 p.m. for an Open House at Bleu Gallery and Naturally Georgia! Art & Wine, it just doesn’t get any better than this." http://www.naturallygeorgia.com/

-Oct. 4 (11, 18, 25): Seventh Annual end of Harvest Celebration/Bluegrass Brunch at Wolf Mountain: Live bluegrass music and a harvest buffet featuring your fall favorites. $30 per person (plus tax and tip; wine extra). Seatings: 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

-Oct. 11: Sunday Wine Taster Brunch at Frogtown Cellars: This is a good deal: brunch and wine samples for $35 per person (plus tax and tip).
-Oct. 17-18: Harvest Festival at Montaluce: "The wine is in the tanks and the harvest is complete! On Oct. 17-18, celebrate the bounty of our 2009 harvest. Live music, hayrides, special events for the kids, food and wine.
-Oct. 17: Old Highway 441 celebration, Tiger Mountain, Tiger, Ga. $15 per person.
-Oct. 24: Annual Harvest Festival, Crane Creek Vineyards, Young Harris, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Scheduled: hayrides, grape stomping, tours, a kiddie tent and more family events. Tickets: adults $20, ages 13-20, $10; children under 12, free. Ticket price includes wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, lunch and admission to all of the activities.
-Oct. 24: Call it 'HalloWINE' at Three Sisters, Dahloenga: The winery is sponsoring a free open house Oct. 24, 25 and 31 to celebate "Hallo-WINE." 12:30-5 p.m. Ghosts, music, free tastes of "our wines, especially our 'Blood Mountain Red.'
-Oct. 25: Montaluce site of Tweet Up: HelloNorthGeorgia.com and Montaluce Winery & Estates are organizing a North Georgia 'Tweet Up' for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the winery. 2-4 p.m. Click Tweet Up
-Oct. 31: Nevermore 2009 at Persimmon Creek. Edgar Allen Poe dinner and tasting. 7 p.m. dinner. $95 per person. Details: Click Here.

-Oct. 31. Halloween Party at BlackStock. Wear a costume and you might win a case of wine.