Some December traditions are just for the grownups. The Winter Wine Highway Weekend is one of those.  Beginning Friday December 2, many of the wineries and vineyards in North Georgia are participating in a three-day tasting party. Each will offer special wine tastings, some will have hors d’ourves, some music, some special meals.  You buy a $25 passport at the first winery and get a tasting glass. The passport gets you in to the specials at all the participating wineries. (Some of the specials require reservations and have additional costs, like the meals.) Each will have a “barrel tasting” of some kind.

It’s a pretty drive through several of North Georgia’s mountain towns – Dahlonega, Helen (and Sautee Nacoochee,) Tiger, Young Harris. You won’t enjoy it if you try to pack too many into one day – so plan to spend several days. The  Winegrowers Association of Georgia, which sponsors the Weekend, has a number of associate members that offer specials for the weekend, such as lodging or food. See Sylvan Valley Lodge or Blue Ridge Cabins offers, for example.

 Crane Creek Vineyards will have Tapas available Friday evening. (Go early enough to enjoy the view from the deck of the mountainside and peaceful pond.)

Here are just a few of the events connected with the Weekend –

Tiger Mountain Winery in Tiger  is having a hayride (a $10 additional charge) plus wine around the fire pit afterwards. Their Holiday Open House on Saturday and Sunday includes soup, cheese and bread.

Wolf Mountain will invite Wine Highway participants down into its Old World Cask room for tastings. Frogtown will offer its Frogtown Cheesebox.  Cartecay, Cavender Creek and Blackstock will have music and tastings.  Each winery has beautiful views. Blackstock’s view is featured on the cover of the Georgia State Highway Map.

Check each winery’s website for directions and hours. Be sure to check out the awards portion of those websites – some of Georgia’s wines are getting international awards.