Let’s make a toast to the holidays with a glass of local wine! The mountains and high valleys surrounding Lucille’s are prime turf for grape growing, and we’re fortunate to have many lovely wineries in our midst. So when it comes time to buy a bottle or two for festive celebrations—or to give as gifts—do what we do and buy local! Here are a few suggestions to get you started. A bonus: the beautiful drives you encounter along the way!
The family-owned Habersham Winery in Helen is one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries, in business since 1983. If you’re serving a beef roast for dinner, consider Habersham’s Scarlett wine, a big-flavored pour with notes of blackberry and blueberry. The 2015 Gewürztraminer is a great option for appetizers or spicy dishes.
Habersham Winery
7025 South Main Street, Helen, GA
706-878-9463
Monday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Kaya Vineyards is also located in Dahlonega and produces some notable wines. The 2016 Oak Trifecta is a complex blend with dark fruit notes and great pairing with dishes such as burgers or steak. Pour a glass of sweet Touriga Dulce with dessert, especially one that’s rich and chocolaty.
Kaya Vineyards
54300 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA
706-666-5422
Tuesday – Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The quaint mountain town of Cleveland is home to Serenity Cellars, where weekends mean live music and pizza-making in its brick oven. For an abundance of berry flavors and big-mouth appeal, choose Contentment, a rich red blend. Then treat the chocoholic on your list to Dolce Bello—oh so decadent and good!
Serenity Cellars
265 laurel Ridge road, Cleveland, GA
706-348-1277
Monday – Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Cottage Vineyard Winery, just 15 minutes from downtown Cleveland, produces a dozen wines, including a big and bold Syrah with nutty notes and a hint of vanilla and strawberry. For a white, the Estate Reserve Chardonnay is an elegant oak-aged wine, buttery with aromas of pecan and hazelnut.
Cottage Vineyard Winery
5050 Highway 129 North, Cleveland, GA
706-865-0053
Sunday – Friday, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Also located in Cleveland is Yonah Mountain Vineyards, the only local winery making Ice Wine. This delicacy, made from frozen grapes, offers a sweet taste of peaches and apricots with a hint of grapefruit. The company’s flagship wine, Genesis 8 provides a big and bold drink with notes of Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
1717 Highway 255 S, Cleveland, GA
706-878-5522
Monday – Thursday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
If you’d like to sit and sip some local wines in a glorious environment, come visit us at Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa! The holidays are a wonderful time to be here. Give us a call today or just book your stay online.