The Wine Highway

Grapevines and wineries are popping up all over North Georgia, and burgundy-color signs lead the way to vineyards along the Georgia Wine Highway. A listing of current wineries is available at www.georgiawine.com.

Clayton

The boutique, family-owned Persimmon Creek Vineyards (81 Vineyard La., Clayton, 30525. 706/212-7380. www.persimmoncreekwine.com) is open for tours by appointment only.

The winery's shop, Persimmon on the Square (28 E. Savannah St., 30525. 706/212-7972), is open Monday to Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday from 11 to 5.

Tiger Mountain Vineyards (2592 Old Hwy. 44, 8 minutes south of Clayton, Tiger, 30576. 706/782-4777. www.tigerwine.com), started on a five-generation-old family farm in 1995 by Dr. John and Martha Ezzard, is known for unusual varietals of French and Portuguese grapes such as Touriga Nacional and Malbec, as well as the native Norton grape—grown on the slopes of Tiger Mountain. Tastings are complementary.

Helen

Habersham Vineyards & Winery (7025 S. Main St. on GA 75, Helen, 30545. 706/878-9463. www.habershamwinery.com) started producing in 1983 and is one of the oldest wineries in the state. Its tasting room also includes an eclectic shop full of wine-related accessories.

Habersham tastings are also available at the Dahlonega Tasting Room (16 N. Park St., Dahlonega, 30533. 706/864-8275. Mon.-Thurs. 10-6, Fri. and Sat. 10-8, Sun. 12:30-5)

Young Harris

Crane Creek Vineyards (916 Crane Creek Rd., off GA 515, Young Harris, 30582. 706/379-1236. www.cranecreekvineyards.com. Tues.-Sat. 11-6, Sun. 1-5) produces 12 regional artisanal wines based on the 10 grape varieties it grows. The most popular choices are Vidal Blanc, Seyval, and Norton.

Jasper

Sharp Mountain Vineyards (110 Rathgeb Trail, Jasper, 30143. 770/735-1210. www.sharpmountainvineyards.com) produces 14 wines from 12 varietals. Visitors get great mountain vistas from the property.