End-of-the-year plans for N. Georgia wineries

North Georgia Wine Country Weather:

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

News from the wineries:

-Three Sisters Vineyards to take a break after this weekend: The tasting room will close on Dec. 21, reopening Feb. 1 as part of the three-weekend-long Wine & Chocolate Lovers Celebration.

-Check your favorite wineries before visiting in January: Web sites for some of the wineries show down time in January, from reduced hours to no tastings. We'll assemble a list of closings for next week. Wineries can send us updates by clicking e-mail.

What's ahead at the wineries:

-Dec. 19-20, Three Sisters Vineyards, annual open house holiday weekends. Free wine tastings for wine lovers 21 and older plus Christmas treats for the entire family.

-Dec. 19, Chateau Elan Winery and Resort offers a special wine tasting package. Click Details

-Dec. 19-20, Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Rabun County: Christmas chocolates paired with Tiger Mountain Cabernet Franc and Tiger Mountain Norton, both dry wines with deep berry and cherry flavors - and hints of chocolate.

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

-Dec. 24, 25: Tiger Mountain will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Open again on Dec. 26-27.

-Dec. 31, Montaluce Winery and Estates: New Year’s Eve fabulous 5 course dining experience at Montaluce. Executive Chef Steven Hartman will be featuring local and seasonal ingredients. The cost is $75 per person and an optional wine pairing is available for $35.

-Dec. 31: Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Rabun County. Special New Year's Eve tasting, 1-5 p.m.

-Jan. 23, The Georgia Winery, learn about wine and wine tasting. $15 per person. 7-9 p.m. 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