Georgia Wine Country


The first Spanish explorers that inhabited Georgian soil probably did not successfully propagate European winegrapes. However, there is evidence they might have enjoyed wines made with Native American vines cultivated by the Cherokee and Creek Indians. Two centuries later, Georgia’s founder, James Edward Oglethorpe tried to introduce European viticulture as a part of his economic plan. It was his fancy to see the new Georgia Colony excel in two products, fine silk and fine wine. Georgia had been observed as a prosperous region for mulberry trees. Unfortunately, Oglethorpe’s silkworms disliked the native variety and Georgia’s climate. Likewise, European winegrapes (vitis vinifera) were unable to be successfully cultivated due to mysterious New World diseases and indigenous insects. The end result? European grapes and mulberry trees were abandoned for rice and indigo. Eventually, the cotton plant replaced those commodities. Over the decades, native muscadines were cultivated throughout Georgia for table grapes and sweet wine production. European and French-American winegrapes were grown with the aid of new scientific techniques to allow Georgia to produce its share of East Coast table wines. All through the 19th Century, Georgians grew and produced products from winegrapes. Local historical accounts tell of family vineyards from Blairsville to Pine Mountain. In the 1890’s, several hundred Hungarian immigrants relocated to Haralson County-near Bremen-to establish vineyards and make wine. These new wine-producing communities were named Budapest and Tokaj. Soon with the introduction of the Georgia Prohibition Act of 1907, most of Georgia’s farm wineries and vineyards were abandoned. After prohibition was appealed, Georgia’s wine industry ripened with the aid of surplus peaches and tomatoes. However, European winegrape production didn’t really develop into what it is today until the late 1970's-early 1980’s, when modern day pioneers like Gay Dellinger of Cartersville planted Split Rail Vineyard, Dr. Maurice S. Rawlings established The Georgia Winery in Ringgold and Tom Slick established Habersham Vineyards & Winery in Clarkesville. The Panoz family followed suite in 1981 with the introduction Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton. Today, a new economic plan is taking shape. Georgia is becoming a celebrated place to not only produce traditional sweet mucadines...but premium winegrapes as well. “Georgia’s Wine Country” stretches from Savannah to Young Harris. Fruit wines, muscadines, American and European winegrapes are grown all over Georgia. The Georgian wine is seen by many as a hot new “green industry” categorized as “Agri-Tourism.” More individuals and families are entering Georgia’s booming agri-business on a yearly basis. The number of vineyards and farm wineries are predicted to double over the next ten years.

Crimson 'N Scarletts Vineyards