Photo: Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
The foothills of the Blue Ridge are Georgia’s wine country. Dozens of vineyards and tasting rooms are scattered from Dahlonega and Cleveland to Ellijay, Tiger and Young Harris, most with mountain views and a porch to enjoy them from. The hills around Dahlonega became the Dahlonega Plateau AVA in 2018, the first federally recognized wine region entirely inside Georgia. These are the best North Georgia wineries, grouped by area so you can plan a day of tastings without too much driving. We checked that each one is open on October 21, 2026.
- Wine capitalDahlonega, about 1 hour 25 minutes from Atlanta, with several tasting rooms on and near the square
- Official regionDahlonega Plateau AVA (2018), about 133 square miles in Lumpkin and White counties
- SundaysMost tasting rooms start pouring at 12:30 p.m.
- Plan itOur Dahlonega wine trail day plan
- Dahlonega
- Helen & Cleveland
- Ellijay & Jasper
- High Mountains
- Near Atlanta
- Tasting Tips
- Common Questions
DahlonegaTasting rooms on the square
Mount YonahWine country around Cleveland
Sharp Mountain VineyardsNear Jasper
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Gwringle, CC BY-SA 3.0; Thomson200, CC0; Thomson M, CC BY 3.0.
Dahlonega Wineries
Dahlonega has the most wineries in the state within a short drive of one another, and several tasting rooms in town for days when you would rather walk. About 65 to 75 miles from Atlanta, 1 hour 25 to 40 minutes without traffic.
Three Sisters Vineyards
A 180-acre family farm winery that bills itself as Dahlonega’s founding wine grape grower. Rustic tasting room, a deck over the vines and Fat Boy Red, its best seller. 439 Vineyard Way.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards
A hilltop estate known for its views and its Vineyard Café, with lunch Thursday through Saturday and a Sunday brunch (reservations required). Tasting room open Thursday through Sunday.
Montaluce Winery
A Tuscan-style estate with a restaurant, Le Vigne, serving farm-to-table food with mountain views, plus wine tastings and classes. 501 Hightower Church Road; 706-867-4060.
Kaya Vineyard & Winery
Big views of the vines and the Blue Ridge from its main tasting room on Town Creek Road, which is dog- and child-friendly. Kaya also pours at the Dahlonega Square Hotel downtown.
Cavender Creek Vineyards
A family winery in the foothills with a rustic barn for events and three lodging houses on the property. 3610 Cavender Creek Road.
Accent Cellars
A boutique winery about three minutes from downtown, open seven days a week, pouring everything from dry to sweet, sparkling and fortified wines. 215 Auraria Road; 706-867-0123.
Downtown Dahlonega has several more tasting rooms within a few blocks of the square, so you can taste on foot after lunch. Our Dahlonega wine trail puts these together into a one-day route, and things to do in Dahlonega covers the gold museum, trails and festivals.
Helen, Cleveland and Sautee Wineries
The valley between Cleveland and Helen, under Mount Yonah, is the other half of the Dahlonega Plateau. About 75 to 90 miles from Atlanta.
Habersham Winery
Making wine since 1983, one of Georgia’s oldest and largest wineries, with a tasting room near Helen that is open daily. A good stop before or after Helen.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
A family winery on about 20 planted acres at the base of Mount Yonah, offering tastings, cave tours and a monthly seated reserve tasting. 1717 Highway 255 South, Cleveland; 706-878-5522.
CeNita Vineyards
A winery and tasting room in Cleveland, a short drive from the Helen and Dahlonega wineries.
Kaya Vineyards also runs a tasting room at Sylvan Valley Lodge in Sautee Nacoochee. Staying the night? See cabins in Helen.
Ellijay and Jasper Wineries
Ellijay is better known for apples, but the hills of Gilmer and Pickens counties have a cluster of relaxed farm wineries. About 60 to 80 miles from Atlanta.
Cartecay Vineyards
An estate winery that grows, ferments and bottles all of its wine on site from 14 acres of vines, with a tasting barn, a chimney patio and hammocks. Live music on many weekends. 5704 Clear Creek Road, Ellijay; 706-698-9463.
Engelheim Vineyards
A dog-friendly Ellijay vineyard (leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome) open daily, with no reservations needed for tastings.
Sharp Mountain Vineyards
Vineyards below Sharp Mountain near Jasper, about 1 hour 10 minutes from Atlanta.
Make a day of it with the best apple orchards in North Georgia and things to do in Ellijay.
High Mountain Wineries
Farther north, a few wineries sit among the state’s highest mountains. They make good stops on a cabin weekend.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
In Rabun County near Clayton, known for its Norton-based reds and Petit Manseng. Open Thursday through Sunday. 2592 Old 441 South, Tiger. About 106 miles, 2 hours 5 minutes from Atlanta.
Crane Creek Vineyards
High in the Blue Ridge near Young Harris and Brasstown Bald, about 2 hours 20 minutes from Atlanta. Pair it with Hiawassee and Lake Chatuge.
Hightower Creek Vineyards
A small vineyard near Hiawassee in Towns County, close to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
Closest Winery to Atlanta
Château Élan
A French-style resort winery in Braselton with tours and tastings, a spa, golf and an inn, about 45 miles and 55 minutes from downtown Atlanta. 100 Rue Charlemagne Drive.
For more ideas within an easy drive, see our best day trips from Atlanta.
Tips for Visiting North Georgia Wineries
Pick a driver
Mountain roads are curvy and dark at night. Choose a designated driver, book a tour company, or stay at a cabin or inn within walking distance of a tasting room.
Check hours first
Many wineries close one or more weekdays, and hours change with the season. Call or check the winery’s site the week you go.
Groups need reservations
Several wineries require reservations for groups (often 8 or more), and some tastings and dining are by reservation only.
Kids and dogs
Policies vary: some tasting rooms are adults only, while others, such as Kaya’s main tasting room and Engelheim, welcome families or leashed dogs. Ask before you bring them.
Sunday hours
Most wineries do not pour before 12:30 p.m. on Sundays, so plan a late start.
Harvest season
Late summer and fall bring harvest events and the busiest weekends. Weekdays are calmer.
Planning a weekend? Pair the wineries with the 20 best things to do in North Georgia, or book a cabin in the Georgia mountains.
Common Questions
Where is wine country in Georgia?
Georgia’s wine country is in the North Georgia foothills, centered on Dahlonega and the valley between Cleveland and Helen, which together form the Dahlonega Plateau AVA. There are more wineries around Ellijay, Jasper, Tiger and Young Harris.
How many wineries are in Dahlonega?
Several wineries and tasting rooms are within about 20 minutes of the Dahlonega square, including Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, Montaluce, Kaya, Cavender Creek and Accent Cellars, plus tasting rooms downtown.
What is the closest winery to Atlanta?
Château Élan in Braselton is about 45 miles and 55 minutes from downtown Atlanta. The Dahlonega wineries are about an hour and a half away.
Can you bring kids or dogs to North Georgia wineries?
It depends on the winery. Some tasting rooms are adults only; others, such as Kaya’s main tasting room and Engelheim Vineyards, welcome children or leashed dogs. Check before you go.
Sources we checked
We confirmed each winery was operating by checking its own website on October 21, 2026, and dropped any we could not confirm. Hours and policies change often, so check before you go. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing:
- Federal Register: Dahlonega Plateau Viticultural Area: AVA established in 2018, size and counties
- Georgia Wine Producers: statewide winery association and Georgia Wine Highway
- Winery websites: Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, Montaluce, Kaya, Cavender Creek, Accent Cellars, Habersham, Yonah Mountain, CeNita, Cartecay, Engelheim, Sharp Mountain, Tiger Mountain, Crane Creek, Hightower Creek and Château Élan: addresses, hours and policies
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.