We decided that it just ain’t right to write about California Wine Country when, hey, there’s a wine country right here in our own backyard, so we decided to hop in the Jeep and head up the Georgia Wine Trail. Having experienced Arkansas wineries in the past, we set our expectations low…VERY low. We wouldn’t really be disappointed much then, right?
Our first stop was Wolf Mountain Vineyards. Wolfy, isn’t it? Just a tip if you go: Don’t park at the very first lot you pull into. Drive up the hill with the sign that says “Visitor Entrance,” don’t walk it like we did. Noob mistake!
After a trudge up the hill in 95-degree heat, we finally made it to the top and walked in to the reception area where you can either ask for a table in the restaurant or the hostess will direct you to the tasting room. We opted for the tasting first and were taken to the stairs leading down. Were we ever in for a pleasant surprise!
First of all, the room was packed with young couples, older couples, girls’ day out groups, couple friend groups…. I had no idea this was such a destination! And the views of the north Georgia mountains from every vantage were spectacular. It’s a damn shame that my iPhone photo is so crappy. But hey, more wolfy goodness!
The tasting room is open Thursday – Sunday from noon until 5:00, and you can choose from two tastings:
- The Estate Tasting Flight – $10 (includes a tasting of eight estate wines) or the Reserve Tasting Flight – $20 (includes a tasting of eight reserve and sparkling wines). We opted for the reserve tasting so we could try some of that north Georgia sparkler, threw some elbows into the crowd, and bellied up to the bar.
To say we were surprised by the wines would be an understatement. Blown away, no, but I would put a couple of those wines against some mid-range California wines in a blind tasting and dare you to identify which one came from Georgia. Ten bucks says you couldn’t do it.
Of particular note were:
2009 Sparkling Demi-Sec, which presented a very subtle apricot sweetness on the tip of the tongue that was balanced out by a nice dry finish.
2008 Instinct, their Rhone-style red, blended with Syrah, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional. This was a really tasty, complex wine that I wouldn’t hesitate to serve with dinner or bring to a friend’s house. We each had a glass with lunch.
2008 Claret, a Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre blend, which was pretty amazing. Just the right amount of tannins and spice made this one a pretty damn fine tasting wine. And we almost didn’t get to taste it! Apparently, they weren’t serving that one at the tasting. However….when I expressed my disappointment and said that was the one I was really looking forward to, Stephen, our pourer, said someone happened to open a bottle by accident and he gave us a taste. Lucky us! It was an extremely tasty accident.
After our tasting, we decided to head back upstairs and grab a bite to eat. Although the website says you must make reservations, that’s not necessarily the case. I’m sure the place is packed for Sunday brunch, but it was 2:30-ish when we showed up, so they seated us right away. Again, the views are awesome, and if it hadn’t been raining we would have eaten outside on the expansive veranda.
Lunch consisted of a trio of sliders for me (crab cake with lettuce, tomato, and remoulade; shredded braised short rib with a claret reduction and fried onions; pulled pork with Carolina mustard BBQ sauce and a pickle). The crab cake was pretty unremarkable but the other two are definitely worthy of getting the full sandwich next time (and there will be a next time). The 2008 Instinct tasted absolutely amazing when paired with the braised short rib meat. The cold avocado and corn soup was okay, but I think it would have benefited by a stronger corn presence, perhaps roasted with some kernels sprinkled on top. Mike’s lunch was the Apple Basil Chicken Salad Sandwich (with Granny Smith apples, toasted almonds, fresh basil, on a croissant). I’m somewhat of a chicken salad purist and really only like the occasional tarragon in mine. He says the sandwich was tasty, though.
After our adventure at Wolf Mountain, we decided to continue the fun and headed over to Frogtown Cellars. Their tasting room is open Monday -Friday noon until 5:00, Saturday noon until 6:00, and Sunday 12:30 until 5:00, and you have three tasting options: Dry white wine tasting (Nine dry white wines for $15; Dry red wine tasting (Nine dry red wines for $15); Off dry and sweet wine tasting (Six wines for $8). You can also combine the first two tastings for $24. We stuck with the reds, and I have to say after sampling Wolf Mountain’s wares, we were pretty disappointed. The ’06 Sangiovese was really the only wine of note, but I would hesitate to pay $19 for it. They have a fun logo, and the schwag they sell in their gift shop is fun, but the wine wasn’t all that impressive.
So, two vineyards down on the Georgia Wine Trail. We’ll definitely head back to Wolf Mountain and hit some of the others the next time we’re up in that neck of the woods.
