Swinging in the Vines at Sautee; jazz at Wolf Mountain

This week's spotlight:
-Now-Sept. 30: Harvest month specials at BlackStock Vineyards and Winery. In our year-plus of producing Wine News Vine, we've never seen a winery schedule a full month of specials, from Grill & Chill weekends to discounts and even freebies. Good show, BlackStock! Click
-Sept. 25: Persimmon Creek Vineyards hosts Writer's Dinner at 7 p.m. South Carolina author Cassandra King will join dinners. Chef Rebecca Lang will prepare the wine-matched dinner. $85 per person.

What's ahead this summer in North Georgia's wine country:
-Sept. 18: Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards Swinging in the Vines, 2-6 p.m. Details
-Sept. 19: Eighth Annual Celebration of Jazz in the Vineyard, Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Live jazz and "country French cuisine." $30 per person; seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Also on Sept. 26.
-Sept. 25: Tiger Mountain Vineyards: "Release of Stonewall Creek Vineyards Rabun Red, a first harvest blend of French vinifera from the Tiger vineyards of Carl and Carla Fackler." (From website)
-Oct. 2: The Georgia Winery, 2010 Annual Grape Stomp, noon until 4 p.m. "Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy wine tasting, live music, hayrides, kids' activities, and more. $7 per adult." Also releasing a Tennessee Tangerine: blended muscadine and tangerine.
-Oct. 3: Crane Creek Vineyards, Puttin' on the Dog 10th Annual Fundraiser. 2-5 p.m. Details
-Oct. 16: Sautee Nacoochee Vineyards Swinging in the Vines, 2-6 p.m.
-Oct. 23: Crane Creek Vineyards, Annual Harvest Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. From the website: "Hayrides, grape stomping, tours of the winery, a kiddie tent." Tickets: $20 for adults; $10 for those ages 13-20; 12 and under, free. Ticket price includes wine tasting, souvenir wine glass, lunch and admission.

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.