One of the most fun things to do on a nice day is to enjoy a picnic outside in a beautiful space. Fortunately, some of the best picnic locations in the Georgia mountains can be found at the local vineyards.

Picnicking at Ott Farms Vineyards with our Husky, Nina
Picnicking at Ott Farms Vineyards in Ellijay with our dog, Nina

Give yourself a reason to spend extra time outside by enjoying a picnic lunch at a vineyard in North Georgia. Be sure to bring your dog if you are going to one of the many dog-friendly vineyards — most of the picnic-friendly vineyards allow leashed dogs to visit the outdoor areas of the winery! See individual winery listings below for details.

Map of Where to Picnic at 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.

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!

 

 

 

Picnicking at Vineyards in the Georgia Mountains

Most of the vineyards below offer the option to purchase small plates from the tasting room and / or bring your own picnic items from home. Decide which option you prefer and select a vineyard to enjoy wines made on site with your picnic lunch. See the list of vineyards and check the map to find the best vineyard picnic locations in the Georgia mountains.

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

 

Vineyards That Allow Picnics in North Georgia (+ Small Plates for Sale)

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

 

12 Spies Vineyards & Farm (Rabun Gap)

Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic basket to enjoy the large West facing views. Small Boars Head cheese trays available for purchase.

Picnic on the scenic lawn at 12 Spies Vineyards
Picnic on the scenic lawn at 12 Spies Vineyards

Dogs on leash are welcome on the outside seating areas of the veranda.

  • Phone: +1 (706) 490-0890
  • Address: 550 Black Branch Rd, Rabun Gap, GA
  • Website: 12spiesvineyards.com

 

Bear Claw Vineyards (Blue Ridge)

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

 

Cartecay Vineyards (Ellijay)

Chimney patio and picnic tables available for visitors to enjoy their own food or purchase snacks like a charcuterie board. Food trucks visit on the weekends — contact the vineyard to get more details. Dog friendly vineyard.

 

Cavender Creek Vineyards & Winery (Dahlonega)

Visitors may bring their own snacks or purchase light snacks like cheese and salami plates, spinach dip, or chicken salad with naan dippers. Dogs and pets are not allowed at Cavender Creek Vineyards.

 

CeNita Vineyards & Winery (Cleveland)

Visitors may bring their own outside food or choose from a variety of available small plates like charcuterie boards, hummus and pita chips, and 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 available for purchase or 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)

Vineyard has cheese and charcuterie options available every day, plus a food stand or a food truck 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.

 

Creekstone Winery (Sautee Nacoochee)

The Creekstone Winery is not located at a vineyard, but it does offer local wines and grand views of nearby Yonah mountain. Cheese, crackers, and snacks are available for purchase. Leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas.

  • Phone: +1 (706) 878-0004
  • Address: 295 Hardman Farm Rd, Sautee Nacoochee, GA
  • Website: creekstonewinery.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.

Picnic on the water at Ellijay River Vineyards
Picnic on the water at Ellijay River Vineyards

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

 

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 the weekend at this winery and vineyard with a German theme. Dog friendly.

Charcuterie Plate for Purchase at Engelheim Vineyards in Ellijay
Charcuterie plate for sale at Engelheim Vineyards in Ellijay
  • 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, but 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.

 

Odom Springs Vineyards (Blairsville)

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

 

Ott Farms and Vineyard (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.

Ott Farms Vineyard Wine with Picnic Lunch and Gorgeous Views!
Ott Farms Vineyard Wine with Picnic Lunch and Gorgeous Views!

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

 

Serenberry Vineyards (Morganton)

Offers Georgia-made snacks like cheese straws, nuts, and chocolate, or visitors may bring their own picnic lunches. Leashed dogs are welcome outside.

 

Serenity Cellars (Cleveland)

Small selection of snacks available for purchase (guests are also welcome to bring their own food as well). 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!

 

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 there is a food truck 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.

 

Vineyards Where You Can Picnic in North Georgia (No Food for Sale)

The Georgia mountains vineyards 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 Vineyards White and Rose Wines
Currahee Vineyards White and Rose Wines

 

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.

Tasting wine at Currahee Vineyard in Toccoa
Tasting wine at Currahee Vineyard in Toccoa [photo ExploreGeorgia.org]

 

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!

 

How to Picnic at Vineyards in North Georgia

These experiences are a great way to enjoy a customized picnic experience in a beautiful vineyard setting. This option is both cost-conscious and allows for flexibility with personal dietary preferences and restrictions.

Follow these tips to enjoy a wine picnic at one of the great mountain vineyards that allow picnics in North Georgia.

A gentle reminder that no outside alcohol is allowed
A gentle reminder that NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL is allowed at the vineyards

 

Buy your wine at the vineyard

This one should go without saying, but never bring outside alcohol to a vineyard or winery. These farm vineyards rely on your support to stay in business! Purchase your favorite wine(s) from the tasting room and take outside to enjoy with your picnic.

 

Pack a variety of food items

When considering your wine picnic ideas, make sure to pack snacks and food items that will pair well with the wines that you expect to be enjoying at the vineyard. Pack plain crackers to cleanse the palette if you want to taste multiple wines back to back.

 

Protect perishable items

Pack your food in a cooler to keep it fresh while you travel to the vineyard (then fill it with wine from the vineyard to take home)!

 

Bring your own seating and small tables

Most vineyards do have seating available but there may be a wait for these tables during peak times. Bring your own seating and small tables to have more seating options and allow for better social distancing.

 

Remember the picnic essentials 

Remember that you are picnicking outdoors and need to bring all of your own supplies. These vineyard picnic locations will not have plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, or condiments for your use. Plan to bring these items from home (plus all the things you’ll need to clean up!).

 

Dress comfortably for the occasion

No matter when you visit, you’ll want to make sure that you dress for the conditions at the vineyard. Make sure to wear appropriate shoes for walking on grassy vineyard areas and gravel parking lots, apply sunscreen if you’ll be out in the sun for an extended period, and remember to check the local forecast so that you are dressed for the weather.

 

Designate a driver

No matter which picnic option you choose, be sure to designate a driver to safely navigate the mountain roads on your way home from the vineyard (alternately, your group could choose to stay at one of these vineyards).

For any legal questions during or regarding your visit to the Georgia mountains, call the Georgia legal team of Corales & Woody at +1 (678) 961-3999.

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Please note that seasonality affects operating hours and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may require changes on a day-to-day basis. It is recommended to contact the vineyard directly to be certain that they will be open when you arrive.

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Enjoy a Picnic at a Scenic Vineyard in the Georgia Mountains
Enjoy a Picnic at a Scenic Vineyard in the Georgia Mountains

What are your favorite winery picnic lunch ideas?