Nestled up in our little corner of the North Georgia Mountains is a winery that’s not just making a name for itself in our region, but across the country. Frogtown Cellars Vineyards is the hot kid on the block, and wine aficionados across the country are taking note.
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| Logo courtesy of Frogtown Cellars Vineyards |
The winery, located about 40 minutes southeast of the Inn, in Dahlonega, Georgia, was founded in 1998 by Craig and Cydney Kritzer, who sought out this specific Lumpkin County area for its ideal soil and spectacular setting. Based on the awards they have received (more than 200 to date), they’re not just in a prime growing area, they’re making some excellent wines there.
Anyone who has visited this region knows its terrain is steep, and Frogtown uses that to its advantage, constructing its operation as a tri-level gravity flow winery—a gentler, less invasive process than forcing juice through pumps. Each level serves a purpose: the top is where grapes are crushed, the second level down is the where the fermentation happens, and the third level below is where wines are aged.
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| Photo courtesy of Frogtown Cellars Vineyards |
The winery has 25 wine grape varieties planted on 44 acres here in North Georgia. An additional 25 acres are planted in a South Georgia location, producing grapes for the sweeter Muscadine wines.
Frogtown Cellars has won awards for many of its varietals. Notable among them are the medium-bodied Sangiovese; Bravado, a lush wine with hints of cherry and cassis; and Touriga Nacional, a deep, full-bodied with a lingering finish. Sweeter sipping varieties include Talking Rock White, with a distinct floral and citrusy flavor and aroma.
Visitors can sample wines in the Tasting Room daily. If you wish to linger longer, you can relax at the Bistro Café. Dine inside or snag a table outside and savor the views along with your wine. The café serves a nice cheese platter and has a selection of tasty panini sandwiches, such as the Sweet Georgia which layers ham, bacon, pepper jack and tomato.
Frogtown Cellars Vineyard
700 Ridge Point Drive, Dahlonega
706-865-0687
Dahlonega
Tasting Room Hours:
Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Bistro Café Hours:
Friday – Sunday, until 3:30 p.m.
Helen Tasting Room
7601 S. Main Street, Helen
706-878-5000
Open daily, July – December; Friday through Sunday, January – June
Frogtown Cellars is just one of our area’s delightful wineries to explore. Plan a long weekend at Lucille’s and you can taste your way through the mountains!