Atlanta · Dahlonega · Ellijay · Helen
North Georgia Wine Tours
Sample Itineraries from Atlanta
Four proven routes, with schedules, drive times and the right vehicle for your group. Everyone tastes; one professional chauffeur drives.
Choose a Route
Four Itineraries, Planned Hour by Hour
Times below are typical, not fixed. We shape each day around your tasting reservations and the traffic on the day, and we text the schedule to the host before the trip.
Full day · about 9–10 hours · 75–90 min each way
Dahlonega Wine Country
Depart Atlanta 9:30 a.m. Arrive Dahlonega by 11:00. Two tasting rooms with a lunch break near the town square, a third stop if the group wants it. Start the return around 4:30 p.m. and be back in Atlanta by 6:30.
Wineries commonly on this route: Montaluce Winery, Wolf Mountain Vineyards, Three Sisters Vineyards and Kaya Vineyard & Winery. Best for first-time groups and birthdays.
Half day · about 5–6 hours · 50–60 min each way
Chateau Elan & Braselton
Depart Atlanta 11:00 a.m. for a noon tasting and a late lunch at the resort, with time to walk the grounds. Return by 5:00 p.m. or stay for an early dinner.
Closest to Atlanta and the easiest option for corporate outings or a short day with a guest of honor.
Full day · about 10 hours · 90–105 min each way
Ellijay Orchards & Vines
Depart 8:30 a.m. Arrive Ellijay mid-morning for an orchard visit and cider tasting, then two small vineyards such as Engelheim Vineyards. Lunch in town. Head home by 4:00 p.m.
A fall favorite during apple season; weekends fill early, so book ahead.
Long day · about 11–12 hours · 1 hr 45 min–2 hrs each way
Helen & Alpine Valley
Depart 8:00 a.m. Tasting at a Helen-area winery such as Habersham Winery, lunch and shopping in the Alpine-style village, one more tasting on the way back. Return after dinner or by 7:30 p.m.
The longest route and the one that benefits most from a comfortable cabin and a driver who knows the mountain roads.
Group Size
Which Vehicle for Which Group
- 1–3 guests: Executive Class sedan, $105/hr, 3-hour minimum.
- 4–6 guests: Executive SUV $120/hr or Premium SUV $156/hr, 3-hour minimum. Luggage space for purchased cases.
- 8–11 guests: Executive Mercedes Sprinter. Everyone rides together, ideal for bachelorette and birthday groups.
- Up to 14 guests: Ford Transit / Mercedes Transit High Roof.
- 15 and over: quoted individually, with mini-coach and motor coach options through our partner network.
Sprinter $210/hr weekdays, $230/hr weekends; Transit $145/hr; both 5-hour minimum. Sprinter seats 8–11, Transit up to 14. Groups of 15+ are quoted individually (mini-coach and motor coach through our partner network). Wine tours are always hourly because the clock runs from pickup to final drop, including drive time. Browse each vehicle on the fleet page, and see the rates for the full table.
Hours & Pacing
Tasting Room Hours and How We Pace the Day
Most North Georgia tasting rooms open between late morning and noon and close in the early evening, with shorter hours on Sundays and some weekdays. Because hours change by season, we recommend confirming each winery before the trip, or sending us the list and we will check. Plan about 60 to 75 minutes per tasting. Leaving Atlanta no later than 9:30 a.m. keeps a Dahlonega day relaxed.
Preparation
What to Bring
- Photo ID for every guest; tasting rooms check at the counter.
- Comfortable shoes, since vineyard paths and orchard fields are uneven.
- A light jacket; the mountains are several degrees cooler than Atlanta.
- A small cooler for bottles and cider that need to stay cold.
- Snacks and water; we can stock the vehicle on request.
- Your tasting confirmations and the host's phone number, so we can share them with the chauffeur.
Planning a different kind of occasion? See wedding transportation for a celebration day or corporate transportation for team and client outings.
Wine Tour Questions
How long is the drive from Atlanta to each wine region?
Chateau Elan in Braselton is roughly 50 to 60 minutes. Dahlonega is about 75 to 90 minutes. Ellijay is about 90 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes depending on route and traffic, and Helen is around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Weekend traffic leaving Atlanta can add time, so we depart early.
How many wineries can we realistically visit in one day?
Two to three tasting rooms plus lunch is a comfortable day. Four is possible with a very early start, but tastings are better when no one is rushed. We build the pace around your reservations.
Do we need tasting reservations?
On weekends and in the fall, yes. Many tasting rooms book groups ahead, and some set group minimums. Send us your wineries and times and we shape the route; if you have not chosen, we suggest a pairing that works geographically.
What is the best season for a North Georgia wine tour?
Fall (September through November) is the busiest, with harvest and apple season in Ellijay. Spring is quieter with green vineyards. Summer is warm but pleasant at elevation, and winter tastings are cozy and uncrowded. We book weekends one to two weeks ahead in fall.
Can the vehicle carry the cases we buy?
Yes. SUVs and vans have luggage space, and a Sprinter has a rear bay. Tell us if you expect to buy multiple cases and we plan the loading. We recommend bringing a small cooler for anything that should stay cold.
Can we combine a wine day with dinner in Atlanta on the way home?
Yes. Hourly bookings let you end with dinner and a drop at home or a hotel. The clock runs from pickup to final drop, so we price the full day, not just the winery miles.
What if we are a group of fifteen or more?
Larger groups are quoted individually through our partner network, which includes mini-coach and motor coach options. We also split a group across several matched vehicles that arrive and depart together.
Plan Your Wine Day
Send the route, the date, your group size and any reservations. We recommend the vehicle and the departure time.