Local wine events:
Aug. 27: Wine dinner at Johnny Mitchell's Smokehouse Barbecue: The Euharlee (near Cartersville) hot spot plans three glasses of wine to go with pork tenderloin, smoke salmon, fried green tomatoes and panna cotta with fresh berries. Starts at 7 p.m.; $35 per person. Click Facebook.
This week's spotlight:
-Aug. 14:Tiger Mountain Vineyards: Celebrate Tiger Mountain Vineyards’ first rose, made from Cabernet Franc and Viognier grapes. The release includes a sliders party (mini-burgers), local cheeses and more, including live music. 2 to 5 p.m. Admission, $15 per person
What's ahead this summer in North Georgia's wine country:
-Aug. 8: Wolf Mountain Vineyards, 8th annual regional Artisan Cheese Month & Vineyard Celebration. (Aug. 15, 22, 29 as well). . Plus: Click for Wolf Mountain's fall themes. Fall.
-Aug. 21, Annual Tomato Festival, Crane Creek Vineyards, 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. The pitch: "Celebrate the fruit of the other vine with your friends and family at Crane Creek Vineyards! Local restaurants and food vendors will be out giving away samples of their cuisine. Chef David and his Culinary Team will be preparing lunch for everyone with all things tomato. This is a great day of food and wine! Tickets will be sold at the door: 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."
-Aug. 21: Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards Swinging in the Vines, 2-6 p.m. Details
-Aug. 21: Persimmon Creek Vineyards, 7 p.m. Special barbecue and wines. $85 per person. Full details.
-Sept. 4: First Crush Fest, ,Yonah Mountain Vineyards. From the website: Crush Fest will feature grape stomping a la Lucille Ball, wagon tours of the vineyard, winery and cave tours. Admission: General $15, Designated Driver $5, 16 and under free. Admission includes all of the above, plus wine samples, a tasting glass, music all day, vendors and craftspeople."
Second Winter Wine Highway weekend set for Dec. 3, 4, 5
-Nine wineries participating with each offering special events during the weekend, according to the Wine Growers Association of Georgia. Additional details will be announced soon. The spring wine highway weekend usually is held in March as well. The winter tour's hours-Friday. Dec. 3 2-5 p.m.
-Saturday, Dec. 4: Noon-5 p.m.
-Sunday, Dec. 5: 12:30-5 p.m.