A Wine Down Weekend in Dahlonega, Georgia

 My Husband and I were ready for a weekend getaway but we didn’t want to drive too far.  So, we followed the Georgia Wine Highway to the small town of Dahlonega, GA.  The weather was very chilly (27°) but it was a pleasant drive through southern Appalachia, and it’s only about an hour or so away.  What is there to do in Dahlonega?  A bunch!  (Note the “grape humor”)  If you are looking for a romantic getaway or just a fun experience with friends, this little town in North GA might just be the ticket.

We joined friends who live in Dahlonega at a little bistro located on the charming town square. After a quick glass of wine at the bistro, we drove out to the rolling hills of Montaluce Winery and Estates. The land was stunning even on a chilly day. The property has been developed and designed to look like a Tuscan Village. It is reminiscent of a simpler time and place where life is celebrated and memories are treasured. If you’ve seen the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun” you’ll know what I’m talking about.

 We decided to unwind with a late afternoon wine tasting in the relaxed tasting room where you can learn as much as you like or simply enjoy new flavors and casual conversation. At the end of the afternoon, we shared stories with friends and toasted the setting sun with one of our newly discovered wines. My husband loved the wine so much he purchased 6 bottles!

Our next stop was a memorable dinner at The Corkscrew Café; there wasn’t a strict dress code, fine crystal, or haughty waiters...this was an unpretentious little café that offered up a fantastic menu of first-rate fare and an excellent wine list. We felt exceedingly fortunate to have a wonderful meal in this little mountain town.

Our last stop was at a small bar just off the town square, we didn’t stay very long because the college age crowd was a bit too exuberant in their quest for fun on a Saturday night. One young lady in particular caught my attention, she kept belting out the same off key tune every few minutes.  Evidently she was confused, karaoke night is on Thursday. 

All and all, it was a great adventure and a great way to ‘wine’ down.  Cheers!