Women love to gather and celebrate momentous occasions, connect with their friends and share life experiences. One of the most popular ways to bond with your gal pals is over a glass of wine. According to the 2023 Wine Market Council conference in Napa, 55% of U.S. wine drinkers are women. And women enjoy drinking wine even more when conversations with their besties is flowing along with that Cabernet.
Georgia’s fast growing agri-tourism industry means there is no need to book a flight to California for great wine with your girlfriends. Every corner of our state is popping the cork with new wineries opening regularly. Georgia Grown reports roughly 60 bunch grape varietals and 45 muscadine varietals. Georgia is home to 100 wineries and several are woman-owned.
With so many locations on the map, wine tours offer a chance to visit multiple wineries in one day without having to drive. Sip safely when booking a reservation from one of several available wine tour companies. North Georgia native Josh Walker started North Georgia Wine Tours in 2020. He builds solid relationships with local winery owners ensuring customers have the best winery experience for their custom tour. His tour company also offers door-to-door service for personal residences or weekend vacation rentals.
Whether you visit by personal car or bus tour, summertime is the best time to gather with your girlfriends and head across North Georgia for some well-deserved girl time. The regions of North Georgia offer a vast selection guaranteed to make your trip full of fun and flavor.
Accent Cellars, Dahlonega
Visit any of the twelve tasting rooms and eight wineries along the Dahlonega wine trail and find picture-perfect memories waiting to happen. Accent Cellars, Dahlonega’s first micro urban winery, features local artwork adorning their tasting room and a cozy outdoor patio. Besides elegant wines to sample and purchase, special events for a great evening with friends includes comedy nights and cocktail-making classes using local spirits. accentcellars.com
Bear Claw Vineyards, Blue Ridge
Bear Claw is a 100 percent female-owned winery located miles from downtown Blue Ridge. Have a grown-up slumber party when you reserve a stay in their on-site Blue Ridge Treehouse. Complete with a live tree inside the structure, commune with nature featuring a treetop sunset view of the property and enjoy a discount with the Saturday VIP Tour of the vineyard bearclawvineyards.com
Blue Cielo, Elberton
Head to the lake this summer with your girlfriends to Blue Cielo for a variety of events catered to ladies. Located near Lake Russell as the original site of Lake Russell Vineyards, Blue Cielo reopened in 2023 by new owner Cassandra Wiseman and her husband, Gary. Get flexible with their Yoga and Mimosas weekend events or express your creativity with Sip N’ Paint classes. This spring, they introduced a bridal expo on-site to connect couples with vendors to help plan their big day. bluecielofarms.com
Boutier Winery and Inn, Danielsville
Put your dancing shoes on at Boutier Winery in Danielsville. This Madison County winery offers monthly ladies-only line dancing lessons and hosts a monthly lady’s night. For a set price, enjoy two glasses of wine with food and boogie the night away. Dance until dawn when you book a stay at their on-site B&B. boutierwinery.com
Chateau Elan, Braselton
Plan the ultimate girls’ getaway to Chateau Elan, Georgia’s first French-style chateau winery and resort. Experience European charm when you stay for the weekend. Explore eight different eateries with international cuisine, an all-inclusive spa perfect for relaxation and recreational fitness activities. Head to the winery for a “grape to glass” experience of more than thirty wines grown on-site. Reserve a wine bungalow overlooking the vineyard and a personal guided tasting complete with gourmet snack basket. chateauelan.com
Feathers Edge Vineyards, Ball Ground
Get your music groove on at Feathers Edge Vineyards, located near historic Ball Ground. Bring your own picnic and share a bottle of Feathers Edge wine under the trees while listening to local musical talent in their outdoor amphitheater. The tasting room shares space with Wildcat on a Wing American art gallery with handcrafted pieces available for purchase. feathersedgevineyards.com
Habersham Winery, Helen
One of North Georgia’s oldest wineries, Habersham shares the international vibe of Alpine Helen just a half mile away. Their gift shop sells cosmopolitan gourmet foods perfect for pairing with their wines. Sip and shop for your bestie with Habersham wine swag gifts and local artisan crafts. habershamwinery.com
Ott Farm and Vineyards, Ellijay
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Gilmer County, Ott Farm boasts close-up views of the Ellijay landscape with a casual country vibe. Located minutes from neighboring wineries, their wines are only outdone by the laidback ambience. Catch up with your friends as if sipping on a Southern back porch. ottvineyards.com
Roo Mountain Vineyards, Ellijay
Book a babysitter for moms’ night out at Roo Mountain. Escape to this gorgeous vineyard and enjoy girl talk against a sophisticated Napa-like backdrop. While pet friendly, Roo Mountain caters to adults and you must be 21 or older to visit. Their wine offerings include wine on tap as well as non-alcoholic options. Remember to present your free Ellijay Sips Trail pass here and earn points to redeem prizes. roomountainvineyards.com
Wolf Mountain, Dahlonega
Gorgeous mountain views, great wines and the popular Sunday brunch at Wolf Mountain make for a perfect location to celebrate milestones with your gal pals. Reserve your brunch party and feast on rotating gourmet selections. Each month features a different brunch theme with tantalizing cuisine enhancing the flavor of their award-winning wines. wolfmountainvineyards.com
And Definitely Check Out These Wine Country Tours to Enjoy with Friends
What better way to enjoy Georgia’s Wine Country and all the wines (and amazing scenery) they have to offer than letting a local wine connoisseurs chauffer you and your friends from one winery to the next. Hey, this way, no one in your group has to be the designated driver and you can just sip in style.
North Georgia Wine Tours
An all-inclusive North Georgia Tour built specifically for you and your friends by a North Georgia native. Perfect for celebrating something special. 706-725-0049, north-georgiawinetours.com
Vineyard Hoppers
This wine tour company in Dahlonega offers local knowledge and personalized, private transportation. Van seats up to seven passengers, but accommodations can be made for larger groups. 706-300-4535; vineyardhoppers.com
A Grape View Tours
Based in Ellijay, this tour group is passionate about showing wine lovers what so special about this beautiful mountain town’s vineyard and offers Classic Wine Tours, Private Tours and Scenic Tours. 770-630-5464; agrapeview.com
Pop the Cork Wine Tours
Choose a private wine tour with your besties or opt for a public wine tasting experience and make new friends over amazing wine! Either way, you will enjoy your tour in style in their comfortable transit vans that fit up to 10 passengers or their luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans for private tours for a minimum of 10 guests. 404-433-2956; popthecorkwinetours.com
Wine Tours of Georgia This winery tour company offers a day full of delicious wine, food and special events all over the North Georgia Mountains. Their drivers will pick you up at your home anywhere in Metro Atlanta or surrounding North Georgia regions, including Dahlonega and Cleveland. 404-913-0922, winetoursofgeorgia.com
