🍷 There’s a certain kind of afternoon that just feels right: a blanket spread across green grass, a glass of local wine in hand, and nothing on the agenda but being outside. In North Georgia, that afternoon has a home at the vineyards tucked into the mountains, where picnicking isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the whole experience.

Some of the best picnic locations in the Georgia mountains also happen to pour exceptional wine. Give yourself a reason to linger a little longer by pairing your picnic with a tasting at one of the region’s most welcoming wineries. And if your dog is part of the crew? Bring them along. Most picnic-friendly vineyards welcome leashed pups in their outdoor spaces. Check individual listings below for details. 🐾

 

Picnicking at Vineyards in North Georgia

The vineyards below make it easy to build your perfect afternoon. 🧺 Most offer small plates from the tasting room, welcome your own picnic items from home, or both. Pick your style, find your vineyard, and settle in with a glass of something made right where you’re sitting. 🍇 Check the list and map below to explore the best vineyard picnic locations across the Georgia mountains. 🏔️

For those who prefer a full-service winery restaurant experience, be sure to check out the article on great vineyard restaurants in the Georgia mountains (note that vineyards with restaurants do not allow guests to bring outside food).

 

Map of Picnic-Friendly Vineyards in North Georgia

There are lots of great places in the Georgia mountains where you can enjoy a winery picnic lunch. Check the interactive map below to find the closest vineyards that allow picnics.

• PICNICS ALLOWED (25 wineries): Outside food is allowed, but policies may vary on dates with food trucks or special events (check the winery’s dining details before visiting)
• PICNICS NOT ALLOWED (18 wineries): Outside food is not allowed. Food is available for purchase on site.

Click the buttons on the map to show/hide the different types of vineyard picnic (or dining) options that are available in North Georgia. Bon appétit!

 

North Georgia Vineyards That Allow Picnics and Also Offer Food

These vineyards provide a limited menu of small plates for purchase. In addition, you can customize your experience by bringing your own picnic items to these locations (great for picky eaters and when bringing children to the vineyard)! Enjoy!!

 

Bear Claw Vineyards (Blue Ridge)

Visitors may bring their own food or purchase cheese, hummus, and other small snacks. Food trucks visit on the weekend – see their Facebook page for the schedule. Dog friendly.

• Phone: +1 (706) 223-3750
• Address: 2281 Tennis Court Rd, Blue Ridge, GA
• Website: bearclawvineyards.com

 

Cartecay Vineyards (Ellijay)

The chimney patio and picnic tables are available for visitors to enjoy their own food or purchase snacks, such as a charcuterie board. Food trucks visit on weekends—contact the vineyard for more details. Dog-friendly vineyard.

• Phone: +1 (706) 698-9463
• Address: 5704 Clear Creek Rd, Ellijay, GA
• Website: cartecayvineyards.com

 

CeNita Vineyards & Winery (Cleveland)

Visitors may bring their own outside food or choose from a variety of small plates, including charcuterie boards, hummus, pita chips, goat cheese, and honey. Dog-friendly vineyard.

• Phone: +1 (706) 865-7478
• Address: 591 Dock Dorsey Rd, Cleveland, GA
• Website: cenitawinery.com

 

Chateau Meichtry (Talking Rock)

Small plates of charcuterie items are available for purchase, and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. Leashed dogs are welcome to visit as well!

• Phone: +1 (706) 502-1608
• Address: 1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA
• Website: chateaumeichtry.co

 

The Cottage Vineyard & Winery (Cleveland)

The vineyard offers cheese and charcuterie options every day, plus a food stand or food truck on a couple of weekends per month. Visitors may bring their own picnic food to enjoy at the vineyard. The outside patio area is dog-friendly.

• Phone: +1 (706) 865-0053
• Address: 5050 Hwy 129N, Cleveland, GA
• Website: cottagevineyardwinery.com

 

Ellijay River Vineyards (Ellijay)

Visitors may bring their own outside food or purchase snacks like Boursin cheese and crackers. Enjoy a picnic right on the water by the Ellijay River. Only open on weekends.

Dogs on leash are allowed at this mountain vineyard on the Ellijay River.

• Phone: +1 (706) 698-9463
• Address: 111 River Birch Lane, Ellijay, GA
• Website: ellijayrivervineyards.com

 

Engelheim Vineyards (Ellijay)

Visitors are welcome to bring their own food, but it must be enjoyed outside on the grounds (not in the tasting room). Meat and cheese plates are available daily, and food trucks may be present on weekends at this German-themed winery and vineyard. Dog friendly.

• Phone: +1 (706) 635-9463
• Address: 127 Lakeview Rd, Ellijay, GA
• Website: engelheim.com

 

Habersham Winery (Helen)

This location isn’t at a vineyard, but it does offer a chance to have local wines and a picnic snack in their pavilion. Cheese, crackers, and snacks are available for purchase, or you may bring your own food from home. Note that food brought from home is not allowed in the tasting room; it is allowed outside in the pavilion. Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor pavilion.

• Phone: +1 (706) 878-9463
• Address: 7025 South Main Street, Helen, GA
• Website: habershamwinery.com

 

Hightower Creek Vineyards (Hiawassee)

This vineyard allows leashed dogs (outside only) and encourages visitors to bring a picnic to enjoy on-site! Small plates of cheese, meat, and crackers are also available for purchase.

• Phone: +1 (706) 896-8963
• Address: 7150 Canaan Drive, Hiawassee, GA
• Website: hightowercreekvineyards.com

 

Odom Springs Vineyards (Blairsville)

Cheese plates are available at the Odom Springs Vineyards tasting room, but they also encourage bringing your picnic basket to enjoy while at the vineyard. Leashed dogs are welcome to visit the vineyard as well.

• Phone: +1 (706) 745-3094
• Address: 637 Odom Road, Blairsville, GA
• Website: odomspringsvineyards.com

 

Ott Vineyards and Winery (Ellijay)

Open daily for wine tastings and light appetizers, plus on the weekend, you’ll also enjoy live music with the gorgeous panoramic vineyard views.

Leashed dogs are welcome outside, either on the patio or under the covered pavilion — the staff was nice enough to bring our dog a bowl of water when we arrived!

• Phone: +1 (706) 502-8700
• Address: 230 Henry Evans Road, Ellijay, GA
• Website: ottvineyards.com

 

Serenity Cellars (Cleveland)

A small selection of snacks is available for purchase (guests are also welcome to bring their own food). Live music on the weekends at this Italian-themed vineyard and winery. Leashed dogs are welcome to visit with you.

• Phone: +1 (706) 348-1277
• Address: 265 Laurel Ridge Rd, Cleveland, GA
• Website:serenitycellars.com

 

Sharp Mountain Vineyards (Jasper)

Live music on the weekends at this dog-friendly, kid-friendly, and picnic-friendly vineyard and winery!

• Phone: +1 (770) 735-1210
• Address: 110 Rathgeb Trail, Jasper, GA
• Website: sharpmountainvineyards.com

 

Stonewall Creek Vineyards (Tiger)

Visitors may bring their own picnic lunch and snacks or choose from small plates including cheese plates, wine brownies, and savory crackers. Stonewall Creek Vineyards is a dog-friendly vineyard and even has snacks and water to offer man’s best friend!

• Phone: +1 (706) 212-0584
• Address: 323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger, GA
• Website: stonewallcreek.com

 

Three Sisters Vineyards (Dahlonega)

Prepackaged cheese and meat plates are available daily for purchase, and a food truck is on site on Saturdays. Visitors may bring their own food EXCEPT on Saturdays when a food truck is on-site. Leashed dogs are allowed to visit the vineyard with you.

• Phone: +1 (706) 865-9463
• Address: 439 Vineyard Way, Dahlonega, GA
• Website: threesistersvineyards.com

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Note that these wineries previously offered picnics, but closed when the owners retired:

• 12 Spies Vineyards & Farm, a dog-friendly scenic winery in Rabun Gap, closed permanently on April 18th, 2026.
• Serenberry Vineyards in Morganton offered Georgia-made snacks and allowed visitors to bring their own picnic lunches. This location closed in April 2025.

 

North Georgia Vineyards That Allow Picnics but Do Not Sell Food

The vineyards in the Georgia mountains are a great place to enjoy a scenic outdoor picnic lunch. Although the vineyards below do not sell food or snacks, you are welcome to pack your own picnic items to enjoy with your wine at these vineyards.

 

Currahee Vineyard & Winery (Toccoa)

Vineyard visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic or snacks to enjoy with the Currahee wines and views of the vines and Currahee Mountain. Dogs are also welcome to visit the vineyard.

• Phone: +1 (706) 768-5383
• Address: 3301 West Currahee, Toccoa, GA
• Website: curraheevineyards.com

 

Fainting Goat Vineyards & Winery (Jasper)

Guests are welcome to bring outside food to enjoy with their Fainting Goats Vineyards wines. Leashed dogs are welcome at this family-friendly vineyard and winery. Enjoy live music on the weekends and the fainting goats that are there all the time!

• Phone: +1 (706) 692-9463
• Address: 201 Vineyard Way, Jasper, GA
• Website: faintinggoatvineyardsandwinery.com

 

How to Picnic at Wineries in North Georgia

Bringing your own food to a North Georgia winery is one of the smartest ways to spend a day in the mountains. 🍷 It keeps costs flexible, accommodates dietary preferences, and lets you linger as long as the view deserves. Follow these tips to make the most of your vineyard picnic experience.

 

🍷Buy Your Wine at the Winery

Never bring outside alcohol to a winery or vineyard. Georgia farm wineries depend on tasting room sales to stay in business, so purchase your bottle (or two) at the winery before exploring the grounds. It’s the official rule that keeps these local places thriving.

 

🧀 Pack Food That Pairs Well with Wine

Thoughtful packing makes the difference between a good picnic and a great one. A few things worth keeping in mind:

• A variety of sweet, salty, and savory snacks gives you range across different wine styles
• Plain crackers cleanse the palate between tastings so each pour reads clearly
• Water and electrolyte drinks keep you hydrated, especially on warm afternoons 💧
• Avoid strong-smelling foods out of courtesy to other guests during shared tasting experiences

 

🧊 Keep Perishables Cold

Pack everything in a cooler to keep it fresh on the drive up. Bonus: That same cooler is perfect for transporting your wine purchases home safely.

 

🧺 Bring Your Own Picnic Supplies

North Georgia wineries that allow outside food will not provide plates, utensils, napkins, or condiments. Pack everything you need from home, including trash bags and anything required for cleanup. Leave the space as beautiful as you found it.

 

👟 Dress for the Vineyard Setting

Vineyards mean grassy terrain, gravel lots, and open sky. Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, apply sunscreen for an extended time outdoors, and check the local mountain forecast before you go. The weather in the North Georgia mountains can shift quickly, especially in spring and fall. 🌦️

 

🚗 Designate a Driver

Mountain roads require full attention. Before you uncork anything, confirm your group has a designated sober driver for the trip home. Prefer to stay? Several North Georgia vineyards offer overnight accommodations so the evening doesn’t have to end early.

For any legal questions during or regarding your visit to the Georgia mountains, call or text the Corales Law Firm at +1 (678) 961-3999.

 

Confirm Winery Hours and Current Policies

Please note that winery and picnic information is intended for use as a guide. Seasonality and local weather conditions may affect operating hours. It is recommended to contact the vineyard directly to ensure they will be open when you arrive.

All information was current at the time of publication, but each establishment is independently operated and may update its outside food policies without notice. Please contact and confirm current policies before making your plans.

 

❓ Frequently Asked Questions: Winery Picnics in North Georgia

Can you bring food to wineries in North Georgia?
Yes, many North Georgia wineries welcome outside food for picnics on their grounds. Policies vary by location, so it’s always worth calling ahead to confirm before your visit.

Can you bring your own wine to a North Georgia winery?
No. Outside alcohol is not permitted at Georgia wineries. Guests are expected to purchase wine directly from the tasting room, which also helps the vineyard stay open.

What food should I bring to a winery picnic?
Charcuterie, cheese, crackers, fresh fruit, and light sandwiches all pair well with wine. Pack a variety of sweet, salty, and savory options to complement different wine styles. Plain crackers are especially useful for cleansing the palate between pours.

Are dogs allowed at North Georgia wineries?
Some North Georgia wineries are pet-friendly, but policies differ. Contact the vineyard directly before bringing your dog to confirm their current pet policy.

What should I wear to a vineyard picnic?
Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are a smart choice since you’ll likely be walking on grass and gravel. Dress for the weather, bring sunscreen, and check the mountain forecast before heading out. 🌿

Do North Georgia wineries provide picnic tables or seating?
Most wineries with designated picnic areas offer outdoor seating, but it’s not guaranteed. Some locations encourage guests to bring their own blankets or chairs for a more flexible setup.

When is the best time to visit North Georgia wineries?
Spring and fall are peak seasons for vineyard visits, offering cooler temperatures and scenic landscapes. Weekday visits tend to be quieter if you prefer a more relaxed experience.

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Pack the cooler, leash the dog, and pick your vineyard. 🐾 Then drop a comment below telling us which wineries made it onto your permanent rotation!