No need to hop a plane to Napa, France or Italy to savor award-winning wines. In less than an hour from Roswell, you'll land in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where Dahlonega is developing as a highly acclaimed wine region.
From Italianate hillside mansions to Appalachian-style lodges, tour distinctive wineries and several tasting rooms to learn first-hand from the winemakers what it takes to coax award-winning wines from ground to grape to glass. We love Montaluce Winery, with its premium menu, hand-crafted wines, beautiful views, and elegant dining room. Come enjoy their newest addition, the Trattoria di Montaluce with Italian comfort food dishes, a full cocktail bar and a modern casual ambiance. Whether you’re out for a romantic dinner, a girl’s getaway or a family gathering we think you’ll love the beauty and variety of experiences at Montaluce Vineyard.
Dahlonega’s Wolf Mountain Vineyards and Winery took top honors in both the red and white varietals in the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC). Founded in 1980, the San Francisco International Wine Competition (SFIWC) is the oldest American wine competition and second only to the International Wine and Spirits Competition globally. This year, more than 20 judges gathered in San Francisco in November to evaluate and score more than 2900 wines from around the world.
Where else to stop while in Dahlonega?
Favorite Coffee Shop: The Picnic Cafe, Jethro’s Coffee & Public House, Canopy and The Roots. Picnic Cafe offers quintessential charm, with delicious home-baked pastries and desserts, as well as sandwiches and outdoor dining. Jethro’s offers a moody, stylish environment with Valor coffee and great specialty drinks. Check out Canopy and the Roots, with its boho vibe and artsy performance space below, making a splash not just with its coffees but also its speakeasy venue.
Favorite Dinner Spot: Spirit’s Tavern for its signature killer burgers, a friendly local atmosphere, and carefully curated beers on tap. Consistently good, where everyone learns your name.
Favorite Hike: Preacher’s Rock. Often cited as a prime spot for wedding proposals, insta selfies and scenic picnics, this doable 2-mile hike offers summit views from multiple overlooks from the Appalachian Trailhead. Beautiful opportunity to breathe in the mountains.
Is history your jam? In 1828, more than 20 years before the gold rush boom out west, Dahlonega welcomed an influx of miners after it was discovered to have the largest gold deposits found east of the Mississippi River. Today the city celebrates its rich past with attractions that visitors of all ages can enjoy - from educational opportunities including museums and artifacts to interactive experiences such as gold panning and mine tours. The Dahlonega Gold Museum, a State Historic Site, offers visitors an up-close look at mining heritage, including a complete collection of gold coins minted in Dahlonega. At the Crisson Gold Mine, which dates back to 1847, guests can watch the original clattering contraption that crushes rock – VERY noisily – to get to the gold. At Consolidated Gold Mines, visitors enjoy meeting “Miner Mike,” a real miner and colorful character in overalls, with a stick of dynamite and pickaxe in hand, and a battered felt hat on top of his head. Both Consolidated and Crisson Gold Mines offer tours and the chance to strike it rich panning for gems. For the most comprehensive experience, guests can stop by the Dahlonega visitor’s center to pick up the Gold Fever Package, which offers discounted tickets to all three of these local gold attractions.
Where to stay?
With their high design Airbnb offerings, StayDahlonega boasts nine unique properties, including three Treehouses, an authentic log cabin and five cottages and houses.
Nature’s Nook Treehouse sits in the heart of wine country and incorporates nature with globally inspired, modern design. The Shou Sugi Ban exterior, with its contemporary aesthetic, compliments its sophisticated interior, with its layered bunks, lofts and nooks. Design elements include the living oak tree that grows up the center of the treehouse, as well as the signature live-edge poplar tree flooring, crafted from slabs cut from the property.
Looking for something whimsical? Bed + Bough Treehouse is the stuff dreams are made of! Described as ‘Fairytale’, ‘Storybook’ and ‘magical’, Bed + Bough sits on a 5-acre private nature retreat. The juniper-lined staircase brings you to the porch with signature turquoise doors leading you into the charming interior. The cozy loft includes a King size bed with beautiful morning views.
Want to wake up to mountain views from the comfort of your king-size bed? Daybreak Treehouse, aptly named for its stunning Wauka mountain views, sits perched on the top of a dramatic ridge. Its stunning cedar shake rooftop, large wrap around deck, and inviting queen-sized bed swing outside add to the treehouse experience with HVAC, custom kitchenette, and strong Wifi.
Americana Log Cabin your vibe? Then let’s talk Houndstooth Hideaway, a stylish cabin in the woods. Rustic meets chic, Ralph Lauren meets cozy, and everything old is new again. StayDahlonega’s rescued Log Cabin, affectionately named Houndstooth Hideaway, with a nod to British houndstooth fabric, is always ready for a little hibernation. She’s dapper and bookish in the best of ways…equipped with anthologies of authors such as Tolkein, Sherlock, Lewis and the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew to balance things out.
