First look at the weekend: April 23-25

What to know this weekend

-/Earth Day at Crane Creek Vineyards:

-We did this last year and it was perhaps the top 'wine-and-more' experience we had in 2010. Here's what is scheduled for this year, April 24: Crane Creek Vineyards & Guest House, Young Harris. "Earth Day Celebration going on at Crane Creek Vineyards Saturday, April 24, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The main focus of this day will be to promote non-profits in our area and, in turn, educate people on current environmental issues that are taking place all around us. Admission $5 for adults, $3 for children.... food tickets and wine tokens also will be available for purchase."

-Please see our archived report from the 2009 edition of Earth Day at Crane Creek> Details

--Save the date: Tiger Mountain Vineyards, Saturday, June 5, 11 a.m.6-p.m., Release of Tiger Mountain's '09 Petit Manseng. $10 per person. Served with seafood pasta, fresh strawberries, light cheeses. Also: Live music.

What's new:

-April 24: Earth Day celebration at Crane Creek Vineyards & Guest House, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

-April 24, May 1: Casual patio pizza parties with wine and cheese, Tiger Mountain Vineyards. $5 tasting fee for these "welcome spring" parties.

-April 25: Eighth Annual Awakening of the Vines, Bluegrass lunch, Wolf Mountain Vineyards, $30 per person. 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. seatings.

-May 1: Wine Fest 2010, noon-5 p.m., Habersham Winery, Helen. Ten wineries participating> Details

-May 1-2: Vine Dog Weekend, Three Sisters Vineyards. Second annual VineDog Weekend at Three Sisters Vineyards. Your pups must be on a leash. Special tastings and every dog get a free treat. On Saturday, VineDog Costume Contest at 3 p.m. Judged by the Frogtown Social Club.

-May 7: Dinner and a movie returns Friday nights to Montaluce Winery and Estates> Details

-May 9: Mother's Day brunch at Frogtown Cellars: Three-course served brunch paired with Frogtown's wines plus desserts. $35 per person (plus tax, gratuity). Reservations a must: Cydney at 404.502.9463.

-May 22-23: Taste of Sautee: Fine wine, food, art and music combine for a special weekend. Taking part are four area wineries as well as five bands, area restaurants and more than 40 artists. The wineries include Yonah Mountain, Sautee Nachoochee, Frogtown Cellars, Habersham and Serenity Cellars. The bands include: Kyle Obermeier & Jeremiah Osterman; Kip Dockery Band; The Georgia Mudcats; Monica Spears; Shoal Creek Band. Hours: 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $15 which includes tasting; $5 general admission; children under 16, free. Details: Click Taste or check the event's Facebook page.

-June 5-6: Three Sisters Vineyards' Georgia Wine Country Festival: Billed as "Dahlonega's Original Wine Festival," it is set for June 5 and 6 this year. It is the ninth time Three Sisters has staged the celebration. More details soon. Also, join the event's Facebook page> Click