As the holidays draw near, so does the time for trying to figure out what to get those hard-to-buy-for people on your Christmas list. If you have wine lovers on that list, you might want to consider enrolling them in one of the wine clubs offered by a number of North Georgia wineries. And while you’re at it, treat yourself to a membership, too.
“Memberships to our wine club make excellent gifts,” said Luke Anderson, head winemaker at Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Rabun County. “A wine club membership is a thoughtful and unique way to give the gift of exceptional, handcrafted wines throughout the year. It’s not just a single bottle or an event. It’s an ongoing experience that continues to bring joy to the recipient. Whether they are a seasoned wine connoisseur or just beginning their journey, a membership allows them to explore new wines, learn more about winemaking and enjoy exclusive perks. Plus, it adds a personal touch, showing that you’ve selected something special and curated to their taste.”
Russ Sauve, director of marketing at Yonah Mountain Vineyards, said many of their wine club members “first discovered us through a gift.”
“Once they experienced our incredible wines delivered right to their door, they were hooked,” he said. “It’s a convenient and delightful way to enjoy our wines, and it often turns first-time recipients into long-term members.”
Local wineries offer clubs where members receive a specified number of wines shipped or available for pickup throughout the year, as well as other rewards, that will satisfy wine novices and connoisseurs alike. Following are a few of our favorites!
Cairn View Winery
299 Happy Trails Way, Jasper, cairnviewwinery.com
Cairn View Winery started a wine club so it could “offer our guests more options, rewards and benefits than normal guests,” owner Brent Hancock said.
“We include our members in ways that create brand ambassadors for our winery,” he said. “They become our biggest supporters.”
The winery offers two types of memberships. One is for members who want to have bottles of wine delivered three times a year. Membership levels are Pathfinder (three bottles), Trailblazer (six bottles) and Mountaineer (12 bottles), shipped in March, August and November. And, depending on the level, members also receive such perks as discounts on other purchases, complimentary glasses of wine during visits, wine tastings, invitations to members-only events and exclusive access to the Founder’s Loft.
But according to Hancock, what makes Cairn View stand out from other wineries is its monthly wine club called the Sippin’ Local Club, which requires a minimum six-month commitment for its Sommelier and Master Sommelier levels.
“With two levels of memberships, there is something for everyone,” Hancock said. “Every month, at each level, members receive two glasses of wine and discounts on bottles and merchandise. Our higher level also includes a bottle of one of our wines, either a non-reserve or a reserve. We also tap into our club members to help us in naming our wines and, from time to time, include them in our wine selection process.”
Hancock said memberships make excellent gifts for people who love a good vino.
“Because our (monthly) wine club is a six-month minimum, it makes the perfect gift, as it’s the gift that keeps giving,” he said.
Tiger Mountain Vineyards
2592 Old 441 South, Tiger, tigerwine.com
Head winemaker Luke Anderson said Tiger Mountain’s wine club gives the vineyard the opportunity to “deepen the connection with our customers and celebrate our passion for crafting premium, handcrafted wines.”
“The wine club is an opportunity to provide members with access to exclusive wines, often before they’re available to the public,” he said. “It’s a way for us to give back to our members by offering benefits such as special releases and discounts. Ultimately, it’s about building a community of wine enthusiasts who share a love for the unique, locally grown varietals we produce here in the heart of north Georgia.”
The club also serves as a “gateway to everything that makes Tiger Mountain Vineyards special,” Anderson said.
“Membership isn’t just about receiving wine,” he said. “It’s an invitation to be part of our vineyard’s story. Our members get to explore new varietals, attend events that celebrate our rich winemaking traditions and even have early access for booking unique experiences at the vineyard. It’s more than just a club. It’s a way to make meaningful connections with our wines, our team and fellow wine enthusiasts.”
The club features three tiers, Basecamp, Highlands and Summit, that offer members three bottles, six bottles and 12 bottles of wine, respectively, each quarter, along with free tastings, discounts and other benefits.
“What sets our wine club apart from others is the sense of personal connection we strive to build with our members,” Anderson said. “We curate each selection to reflect the diversity and quality of our wines, showcasing varieties that thrive in the North Georgia climate. Our club also offers members exclusive access to limited-edition releases, small-batch wines and special vintages that aren’t available to the public.”
Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery
180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, wolfmountainvineyards.com
Wolf Mountain’s quarterly wine club gives members exclusive access to such perks as advanced access to estate wines, discounts on wine purchases, free tastings and members-only events.
“We offer a wine club to allow our customers that enjoy our wines to receive a discount and other club-specific benefits on wines as well as wines that are nearly sold out, only available to wine club members,” Marketing and Wine Club Director Stephen Smith said. “We feel that we are different from other wine clubs in that most of our club members live relatively close and can participate in quarterly events and educational programs rather than simply receiving wine in the mail.”
The winery offers three club levels: Cavist (three bottles), Cellar Master (six bottles) and Howling Wolf (12 bottles). Members can choose their wines or opt for the quarterly preselected wines and can pick them up at the winery or have them shipped in February, May, August and November.
Yonah Mountain Vineyards
1717 Highway 255 South, Cleveland, yonahmountainvineyards.com
Yonah Mountain calls its wine club Yonah at Home since it allows members to savor its award-winning, world-class wines while relaxing in the comfort of their home. The hand-picked selections conveniently show up on their doorsteps four times a year or can be collected during “pickup week.”
“Yonah Mountain Vineyards launched our wine club, Yonah at Home, to offer exclusive benefits and a personalized experience to our valued customers,” Director of Marketing Russ Sauve said. “Our owners, Bob, Jane and Eric Miller, wanted to extend our exceptional hospitality and brand beyond the vineyards, while also enhancing the home wine experience for our members.”
The vineyard has six types of wine connoisseur memberships. Premier Cru Red, Premier Cru White and Premier Cru Mixed will provide three bottles of red or white or a mix of the two to members, while the Grand Cru Red, Grand Cru White and Grand Cru Mixed memberships will provide six bottles.
“In addition to our world-class wines, each Yonah at Home package includes a thoughtfully curated gift, often sourced from local small businesses in our hometown of Cleveland, Georgia,” Sauve said. “It’s a way for us to share not just our wines but a piece of the community that inspires us.”
One member-favorite perk is the carefully crafted small-batch wines reserved exclusively for them.
“Yonah at Home members enjoy access to limited-edition wines, special vintages and exclusive releases that aren’t available to the general public,” Sauve said. “Depending on their club level, members also receive discounts on all wines, merchandise and event tickets.”
Club members are invited to private tastings, vineyard tours and special events, which offers them “unique ways to engage with our winery and immerse themselves in our wine culture,” Sauve said.
“Overall, Yonah at Home has helped us build deeper connections with our customers,” he said. “Through personalized wine releases, newsletters and special events, members feel like true insiders, with a closer, more intimate relationship with Yonah Mountain Vineyards.”
Sidebar: A Sampling of More North Georgia Wine Club Options for You to Enjoy
Bear Claw Vineyards – 2281 Tennis Court Road, Blue Ridge, bearclawvineyards.com
Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery – 3610 Cavender Creek Road, Dahlonega, cavendercreekvineyards.com
Chateau Meichtry – 1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, chateaumeichtry.co
Crane Creek Vineyards – 916 Crane Creek Road, Young Harris, cranecreekvineyards.com
Georgia Winery – 6469 Battlefield Parkway, Ringgold, georgiawines.com
Kaya Vineyard and Winery – 5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, kayavineyards.com
Montaluce Winery and Restaurant – 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, montaluce.com
Qualusi Vineyards – 440 Blossom Trail, Acworth, qualusivineyards.com
Stonewall Creek Vineyards – 323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger, stonewallcreek.com
The Cottage Vineyard and Winery – 5050 U.S. 129 North, Cleveland, cottagevineyardwinery.com
Three Sisters Vineyards – 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega, threesistersvineyards.com
12 Spies Vineyards – 550 Black Branch Road, Rabun Gap, 12 spiesvineyards.com
