Tuesday Thinking Cap: Enter to Win Georgia Fine Wine Festival Tickets

Already making plans for this weekend’s fun?  Maybe you could win your way into a fabulous experience at BlackStock Vineyards and Winery’s Georgia Fine Wine Festival!

It’s easy – just head to BlackStock’s Facebook page and take a look at the photo posted as part of their official contest.  Head back here to our blog and leave your best caption in the comments!  (While you’re there, make sure to “like” the page and explore all BlackStock has to offer, too.)

Funny, dry or sweet – get your thinking cap on!  We’ll pick our favorite caption entries this Thursday, June 2 and two winners will receive two tickets each to attend the festival this Sunday, June 5.  Make sure to check back here this Thursday afternoon to see if you are our winner!

Even if you don’t win – you don’t want to miss the festival!  Wine is the draw, but folk craft demonstrations, art, live music by the Kip Dockery Jazz Quartet, a complimentary petting zoo for the children and tractor-pulled vineyard tours (additional fee) will entertain all ages.  

Entry includes a festival glass for wine sampling and two food tickets to try tapas servings from 25 North Georgia restaurants.  One-day tickets are $50 per person; children and designated drivers are admitted free.  For questions, call 706-219-2789 ext. 223.

Road Trip Alert! Wolf Mountain Vineyard's Brunch is a Fall Must

Fall is officially here!  I am definitely looking forward to a weekend when I can zip out of the city and head up to the gorgeous North Georgia mountains to absorb gorgeous fall colors, big blue-sky views and a few glasses of wonderful wine during October's 8^th Annual End of the Harvest Celebration and Bluegrass Brunch at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery. 

Good thing there are five Sundays in October this year to choose from!  Make one (or five) a revitalizing day of rest for a short Appalachian hike or a stroll through nearby historic Dahlonega, beginning or concluding your adventure at Wolf Mountain where live bluegrass music and a bountiful fall harvest buffet await.  Try several of Wolf Mountain's award-winning wines by the glass!  $30 per person (not including tax or gratuity).  Reserve your spot at the 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m. buffet seating by calling 706-867-9862.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards Comes Back From Winter Break

After giving the vines and vintners the month of January off for good behavior and a well-deserved rest, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery has reopened the Vineyard Café on Saturdays and Sundays in February from noon until 3 p.m. for lunch and wine tastings. The lunch menu is loaded with foods that pair well with wines – hot sandwiches, pastas, entrees and gourmet personal pizzas topped with savories such as smoked venison sausage, smoked salmon, grilled chicken and goat cheese. My personal favorite is the crab cake sandwich.

For ordering ease, wine and food pairings are suggested on the menu. Call to make reservations, and take a leisurely drive north to Georgia’s wine country.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery: 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega; 706-867-9862.

New Red Wine at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery

I've had the privilege to visit Wolf Mountain Vineyards the past few weeks for their fall harvest. I've watched (and videotaped) the grapes come from the vine, get destemmed, crushed and the juices go into fermentation. It's been a very cool experience. I also got to see the first batch of Wolf Mountain's newest wine, Howling Wolf Red, be bottled. The limited-release is a non-vintage blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon with elegant tannins and a soft, fruity finish. Yep, I tried it. Howling Wolf Red will be available for purchase ($24.95 per bottle) only through Wolf Mountain beginning tomorrow, Saturday, October 4. Make a weekend trip to Dahlonega to get the first taste or trust mine and buy a bottle from their online store - since wines can now be shipped in Georgia.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is located at 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega, Georgia; 706-867-9862. For driving directions click here.

Pick and Grin at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery's Bluegrass Brunch on April 20

Would you use an alarm clock to wake up the vines for fine wines? At Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery, they'll be strumming blue grass music at the 6th Annual Awakening of the Vines on Sunday, April 20. The afternoon grins with fresh picks of live blue grass music, a buffet luncheon spread and a tasting of the current release of Wolf Mountain's Family of Estate Wines to awaken the palate. Settle back and revel in the mountain vineyard's beauty while sipping hand-crafted, European-style wines at this beautiful winery just north of Dahlonega, Georgia. $30 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Seatings are at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Advance reservations are required; call 706-867-9862. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega.

Raise a Glass to Jazz in the Vineyards and Sunday Brunch on March 9 at Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery

Given the option of dancing in the streets or jazzing in a vineyard, we’d choose the latter. On that note, Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega is hosting a live “Jazz in the Vineyards” brunch every Sunday in March to celebrate the official release of its new vintage of estate wines. Brunch buffet includes a Smithfield ham carving station, vine-smoked salmon eggs Benedict, herb-crusted chicken with lemon caper beurre blanc sauce, pan-seared tilapia with crawfish etoufee, Mediterranean salad tossed in herb shallot vinaigrette, soup, roasted rosemary potatoes, sautéed vegetables and a variety of desserts. $30 per person (excluding tax and gratuity) covers the elaborate spread. Guests may purchase 100% Georgia-grown and produced Wolf Mountain wines by the glass or bottle to go with their meal. Two seating times are offered: 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Advanced reservations are required for all events; call 706-867-9862. Easter is coming – plan ahead by making reservations now for Easter brunch on March 23.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery is located at an elevation of 1,800 feet overlooking the peaceful Southern Appalachian Mountains. 180 Wolf Mountain Trail in Dahlonega; 706-867-9862.