411
Bear Claw Vineyards
76
ELLIJAY
JASPER
Grape Escapes
Ott Vineyards and Winery
Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery
BY KATHY PATRICK
ADAIRSVILLE
75
Big Door Vineyards
CARTERSVILLE
CANTON
BALL GROUND 575
Traveling to wineries to sample the fruits of their labors is an intoxicating way to spend a leisurely weekend. Here are four exciting North Georgia wineries to try.
Wine varieties and tastes boil down to personal choice, but we can all pretty much agree that a day spent sampling delicious wines amid a serene North Georgia landscape is a great way to spend our precious off-time. So, whether you’ re playing hooky from work, going on a road trip with your bestie, planning a romantic getaway, or celebrating a birthday or other special event, consider heading to one, or all, of these North Georgia wineries.
BIG DOOR VINEYARDS
125 Clearwater Trail, White, GA( 678) 880-8485 | bigdoorvineyards. com
Big Door Vineyards is the dream of Rodney Alldredge and Ray Parker, best friends from the age of 9. They planted their first grapevines in 2015, opened their tasting room in 2018, and have been growing( pun intended) ever since. Big Door is a beautiful, tranquil place a few miles off I-75, roughly 20 minutes east of downtown Cartersville. This family-friendly, 16-acre boutique vineyard has firepits and cozy“ igloos” for colder days, offers karaoke and bingo on weeknights, and features live music on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, plus local food trucks on the weekend. What you can bring: Kids are allowed, but no pets. Fun fact: The lovely tasting room is made of timber cleared from the vineyard property. One notable tree, a huge doubletrunked oak, has particular significance to Alldredge and Parker. The two friends had several spirited“ deliberations”
26 | NW GEORGIA LIVING MAY / JUNE 2025 over the future of the tree that was situated within the vineyard planting area. The debate was ultimately settled by Mother Nature when a lightning strike brought down the massive oak. Fittingly, the two big doors through which guests enter the tasting room are made from that fallen oak, the doors’ size and grandeur doing the old oak tree justice. Look for the champagne cork lodged in one of the doors, sealing a knothole from the tree. Also be sure to check to see if Cork in the Door Sparkling Wine is available when you visit.
Bonus: With its on-site catering and event planning services, Big Door Vineyards makes a great site for weddings, birthdays, and other private gatherings.
Don’ t miss: For the non-wine-lovers in your group, Big Door has rotating custom-label craft beer offerings available from Reformation Brewery. It also has a cozy Airbnb on the property that’ s available to rent. The unit sleeps two and has everything needed for an enjoyable stay. The experience exemplifies the vineyard’ s motto,“ Come as a guest and leave as family.”