Wine & Music Experience in Georgia's Appalachian Mountains
Take a road trip to enjoy these North Georgia winery and music pairings, where Appalachian folk provides the perfect soundtrack.
“Wineries have opened up this whole new, exciting venue for both the homegrown talent and for touring artists,” says Bob Fortin, a local promoter and festival producer. Fortin’s impresario career has stuck to a noticeable theme — he used to manage Atlanta-based jam band The Grapes, and now he operates a booking agency called Grapevine Talent. “Here, we try to create an informal, affordable atmosphere where kids and pets are welcome, and we celebrate our roots, both in music and in the earth.”
The Georgia Wine Highway stretches from Young Harris to Savannah, but most of the state’s wineries are clustered in North Georgia, where the fruit of the vine enjoys a felicitous pairing with live music. Think of it as “Nappalachia.” Just as these vintners bring different varietals, blends and levels of pouring generosity to their tasting rooms, many have developed their own musical personalities, as well.
Visit the North Georgia Wineries Trip page to learn more about the wineries in North Georgia, use the itinerary below to find wineries that frequently host live music and festivals, and listen to music popular at the North Georgia wineries in the "Our Nappalachia Picks" playlist.
Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery
Three Sisters Vineyards & Winery, named for its view of a triad of mountains, whimsically embraces its red-clay terroir, with a tasting room full of face jugs and folk art by Howard Finster and Cornbread, and a proprietor usually wearing overalls and a grin — Doug Paul, whose background in the music and broadcast entertainment industry has informed his operation since its inception as Lumpkin County’s first vineyard. Three Sisters' signature rock wall patio outdoors makes for a great atmosphere for live music on Saturdays and Sundays in early summer and fall, featuring local favorites including The Buzzard Mountain Boys (also known as Joe Bob Metteson and Jim Bob White).
Habersham Vineyards and Winery
Habersham Winery, located just one-half mile south of Alpine Helen in Nacoochee Village, has been producing Georgia wines since 1983. In August, it hosts the annual WineFest, featuring wine, food, and live music.
Visitors to Chateau Elan, the 3,500 acre luxury winery and resort, come for the wine, fabulous accommodations, fine dining, championship golf and European health spa, but the live music selections make it all the more enjoyable. On Friday and Saturday nights, Paddy’s Irish Pub features a regular rotation of solo acoustic performers. Guests are treated to poolside live music during summer months at Le Soleil Pool Bar and L’Auberge Lounge, overlooking the Atrium, showcases veteran musician, saxophonist and DJ Melvin Banks Friday and Saturday nights.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards & Winery
The 200-acre, family-owned Yonah Mountain Vineyards sits right at the base of historic Yonah Mountain in Cleveland. On Saturdays, Yonah Mountain Vineyards features performers that regularly include father and son duo Mat and Ben Fried; North Georgia R&B, jazz and soul duo Monica Spears and Derek Worth; and others. The vineyard includes the only known wine cave in Georgia, and 90-minute tours of the cave are hosted every Saturday and Sunday.
Serenity Cellars, a boutique winery, specializes in Old World-style wines. Owners Joe and Tina Smith believe in creating sensational vibe by fusing wine, music and art with Tuscan sensibilities. Serenity Cellars hosts live music performances every Friday night from 6-9 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 2-5 p.m.
Music fans, foodies and oenophiles can get their fix at Montaluce Winery, where award-winning wines and elegant dining share the stage. Dahlonega’s Italian-themed Montaluce — translation: “mountain light” — keeps it elegantly mellow, too, with classical guitar and harpists, and on weekends during the busy season, Tom and Juli Theobald, who get rave reviews when they perform just about any cover.
Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery
Operated by the Boegner family, Wolf Mountain Vineyards has amassed more than 200 medals at various U.S. wine competitions. The pastoral hillside vineyards and fieldstone-encased winery are the perfect setting for their themed Sunday brunches, many of which feature live music. On display at the winery are six guitars — authentic signed pieces of memorabilia — from bands that Karl Boegner enjoyed and whose music he played during his college days. The collection includes guitars and signatures from The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, The Travelling Willburys, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers and Eric Clapton.
Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery
Opened in 2011, Cavender Creek’s tasting room has become a great place to sip reds and whites and enjoy live music on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Weather permitting, the performers set up on the patio, which overlooks the vineyards and the friendly donkeys whom visitors love to pet. There is also an 1820’s hand-hewn log cabin next door to the winery that serves as guest accommodations.
Situated at the base of storied and scenic Currahee Mountain, Curahee Vineyard and Winery produces several award-winning red, white, dessert and Muscadine wines capturing hints of popular Georgia flavors. Every weekend the vineyard is open for tastings, picnics and, on Sunday evenings, live music from popular locals such as Martin, Georgia’s “Barefoot” Reggie Starrett.
Seeking to increase visitors’ enjoyment of life, enhance communication and build relationships with others, and instill a great appreciation for the culture of fine wines, Boutier Vineyards & Winery provides plenty of opportunities for wine lovers to enjoy live music. Every month, musicians set up in the unique winery garden, with past performances by Madison County Motown group Dwight Wilson & Classic City Soul and Danielsville’s own Holman Autry Band.
Combining modern winemaking techniques with traditional artisan methods, Crane Creek Vineyards offers over a dozen wines made with German varieties, French-American hybrids and Georgian fruits. Learn about the winemaking process on the Vintner’s Tour, and enjoy a wine tasting and cheese plate every Friday evening during Tapas & Acoustics featuring popular national music acts. Crane Creek Vineyards also hosts festivals and full-scale concerts.
