12 Spies

12 Spies
550 Black Branch Road
Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568
813-335-2886 (Cell)

www.12spiesvineyards.com
also on Facebook and Twitter

The dog's name is Samson, and I can't believe I didn't get a picture of him!  He's cuddly and hard to miss when you're there.  This winery is back off the beaten path a hair, just past Black Rock Mountain State Park and has that fresh cut wood smell which I like. There's a big TV on that back porch and I suspect it would be a good place to watch a game.
This years selections are as follows: 

Plainly stated on the wine list, the tastings are $5 for 5.  The couple that own this winery are very friendly and so is the dog.  They don't take it all too seriously and they've got an eclectic style that is evidenced by the bathroom sink!

 

Now when someone builds a bed and breakfast somewhere up that hill, I'll be a really happy camper!

Tiger Mountain

Tiger Mountain Vineyards                                                   
2592 Old Highway 441                                                         
Tiger, Georgia 30576
Phone 706-782-4777
Fax 706-782-9524

tigerwine.com 
also on Facebook

Oh what a beautiful morning!  Boy did I goof, I thought that I'd read that they would be open on Thursdays starting at the beginning of May, but that starts next week. I was about to leave when the Ezzards pulled around, they're setting up for the Awakening of the Vines celebration May 10.  Mrs. Ezzard was kind enough to offer to let me do a tasting.  Tastings are $10 and include all of the varieties and cheese.

She and I went through their list of wines and had some Amish Butter cheese.  It was nice and peaceful.  Last fall, when I was here with Amity, we patiently listened to a patron explain why Hall and Oates is the best band ever.  Strangely enough in December Rolling Stone published an article making the same points.  Thank goodness Mrs. Ezzard sent me home with the description list because my other pictures were blurry!

They also have a restaurant in the Red Barn that is open on weekends for lunch and after Memorial Day they will have Friday night supper there as well.  Here's the menu as of today:

At this point I knew that this blog was going to be one of the easiest things I've ever done because it doesn't feel the least bit like work! 

Stonewall Creek

Bridge Creek Tasting Room                                                        
Thurs–Fri 12-5 PM | May 8 – October                                           
3206 Bridge Creek Road | Tiger, GA 30576
706-212-0584

stonewallcreek.com
also on Facebook and Twitter

 It being a Thursday, the tasting room on Bridge Creek Road was open today.   This is the first stop on the Rabun County Wine Trail if you're headed north.  It begins not too far up 441 from Tallulah Gorge State Park.  This is the second time I've been here and I enjoyed myself both times, it's obvious that they really enjoy what they do.  The deli next door opened today for the season and its hours are 11-4.  This years offerings are as follows:

Tastings are $5.   If you are here during the weekend you'll have to mosey down to the vineyard winery to sample their wares.  Don't worry, it's basically around the corner.

Mind you it's a gorgeous drive and a turkey crossed the road when I approached.  Of course the turkey was moving faster than I was, so no picture of Tomasina.

Rabun County Wine Trail

 

 http://explorerabun.com

What a wonderful day for a drive!  Not a cloud in the sky and cool temperatures to start.    I made such great time that I spent some time at the Tallulah Gorge Overlook sipping on a Sioux City Sarsaparilla and then had a nice chicken salad sandwich at Goats on the Roof.  This wine trail has a brochure that is easy to follow, but those roads are far from straight!  ExploreRabun.com has postings and links for the wineries and everything else in the area.