Fannin County

Friday, May 23, 2014

Little Dude and I set out for a good mountain drive with the only restrictions being sunrise and sunset.  Given the gift of time, we stretched out to the northern edge of Georgia stopping first in Fannin County.  Taking Hwy 60 from Dahlonega where the mountain laurel is in full bloom, the air smelled like flowers and cinnamon.  Two stops were made for wine in Fannin County, Serenberry Vineyards and Mercier Orchards with a break in the middle for lunch at Harvest On Main.  We zigged and zagged our way up and up...

Serenberry Vineyards

450 Tipton Trail
Morganton, GA 30560
706-623-8463
serenberryvineyards.com
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If you are prone to car sickness approach this one from Blue Ridge because the curves await!  The vineyard is off the main road, very quiet, and a good place to roam.  Tastings are $4 for 4 or $7 for 7, which is the whole list.

All of the wines are blends which are proprietary, meaning they can't tell you exactly which grapes are in them because only the maker knows.  Make sure you have a designated driver who isn't a goof because even the slightest lapse of judgment on Hwy 60 will splatter you like Wile E Coyote! 

Mercier Orchards

8665 Blue Ridge Drive
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Phone: 706-632-3411
Toll Free: 800-361-7731
mercier-orchards.com
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Mercier is known for it's apple orchards but it also makes fruit wines and hard apple ciders.  The wines are ever changing as are the ciders, but one thing is for certain, they love experimentation!

When I was here last, in the fall, they had a blackberry wine that was dry and tart.  Now they have apple wine, dry, and peach wine, sah-weet!  Some of the apple ciders are also mixed with other fruits.  The wines are $12 and the ciders $9 for a 22 ounce bottle.

Right now the wine area is being moved into the main building and it's under construction, this is creating a large line at the temporary wine counter.  Not my idea of a good time.  There is plenty to distract you though, baked goods, produce, cheese, and chocolate covered bacon.