We escaped Florida heat and humidity for a few weeks to North Georgia and Western N. Carolina. No air conditioning needed! Traveled safely in our Airstream and followed all the COVID 19 protocols which were similar to Florida.
Managed a couple of winery visits and discovered the North Georgia Wine Trail (20+ wineries). We did visit the Cottage Winery near Cleveland Ga. and enjoyed their 'American ava' syrah with dinner that night. As explained by the tasting room attendant, they ferment and age on site but get much of their must from California within a couple of days of picking and pressing. They blend the California juice with some of the grapes grown on site and also have an Estate grown chardonnay. They planted vines on the 29 acre plot in 2012 and currently have chardonnay, viognier, syrah and merlot.
visit them online at https://www.cottagevineyardwinery.com/
One of the pioneering wineries of the south is the Biltmore Estate Winery in Asheville NC. The Biltmore Estate of the Vanderbilt family is a much visited tourist attraction built in the early 1900's. The first vinifera grapes were planted in the 70's on 150 acres on the estate. First wines were bottled in the mid eighties and now they produce over 10,000 cases per year at their facilities in NC. They have a very commercial tasting room and winery tour which was very busy the day we went. Most wines have the American AVA and they bring juice in from Washington & California. Worth a visit to the Estate and Tasting room if you're ever in Asheville- a Bohemian small city!
https://www.biltmore.com/visit/winery/our-story/
Though our wine business is focused on the classic wine producing areas of the world, we aren't afraid to explore any winery anywhere! Years ago we visited the Yadkin Valley in NC, further east of Asheville ( near Elkin and Jonesville) and we were impressed with the geography and wineries there especially Raffaldini Winery. As a native of Michigan, we have visited the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula near Traverse City. Excellent white wines and method champenoise sparklers - Our Favorite: L Mawby Sparkling Wines.
No matter where you are or where you travel, there should always be time to taste wine!