About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (June 5, 2019)
4A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, June 5,2019 How people can drink wine, tour vineyards, support journalism — at the same time By Kelsey Richardson DCN Regional Staff Cheese isn’t the only thing that pairs well with wine. The Times has decided to promote its journalism with the launch of its first North Georgia wine tour and tasting on Thursday, June 27. Wine enthusiasts can hop on an air-conditioned coach to embark on a trip to Montaluce Winery and Kaya Vineyard and Winery. The group will gather at 9:45 a.m. at The Times at 345 Green St. in Gainesville. People will arrive at Montaluce Winery around 11 a.m. for a guided tour and wine tasting. When people enter the grounds of the Dahlonega win ery, they’re greeted with Tuscan-style villas and 13.5 acres of vineyard space. “It’s a little slice of Tuscany up here,” Shelby Everts, Montaluce Winery’s event manager said. “Instead of trav eling to Italy, people can stay here in the U.S.” The winery grows 11 differ ent grape varietals. Everts said its current most popular wine is the Tempranillo, a full-bodied red aged for 18 months in oak barrels. “It’s flying off the shelves,” Everts said. “We’re getting in a few more this year as well, and we’ll have an apple wine for the fall.” Sweet Magnolias from Gainesville will cater the day’s lunch, then people will head over to Kaya Vineyard and Winery for a tasting and tour. Katie Trammell, Kaya Vineyard and Winery’s tasting room manager, said the venue offers panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “You don’t really see it until you walk into our tasting room,” she said. “You can see the mountains and our vine yard. It’s real romantic.” All of the wine at the vine yard is grown, bottled and pro- Courtesy Horn Photography & Design forthe Dawson County News People can catch a glimpse of Kaya Vineyard and Winery's mountainous views (above, below) during the Times' North Georgia wine tour and tasting. North Georgia wine tour and tasting When: 9:45 a.m. June 27 Where: Meet atTheTimes, 345 Green St., Gainesville How much: $150, includes transportation, lunch, tastings and tours More info: Lori Maxim, 770-535-6323, or Eventbrite duced on-site, Trammell said. The location offers 14 grape varietals and 20 different wines. Trammell said the top seller now includes the cabernet, Oola. The winery excursion will end at 5 p.m. by dropping the tour group off at The Times. Lori Maxim will guide the tour experience, and entertain attendees with the history of North Georgia wine making. “If you love wine, our goal is to help you discover good wine from local vineyards,” Maxim said. “Enjoy wine tasting with out the hassle of driving, no designated drivers needed.” Norman Baggs, The Times’ general manager, said in order to continue to become finan cially viable, the company has looked to other opportunities like concerts, special events and tours. “It’s no secret the traditional business model for newspapers doesn’t work anymore,” he said. The winery tour provides another way of diversifying the company’s offerings. If the first one proves successful, The Times will offer other tours for area residents. “The wine tour is going to be a lot of fun, and the end result will be continued quality journalism from The Times,” Baggs said. People can purchase tickets for $150 per person by visiting gainsvilletimes.com/winetasting. The price includes transportation, lunch, wine tastings, wine tours and gratuity for the tour guide. For more information call Maxim at 770-535-6323. DAWSON COUNTY family connection CELEBRITY WAITER BREAKFAST JUNE 7, 2019 7:30am-9:30am $10.00 Buffet at ^ \I LONGHORN V STEAKHOUSE THANK YOU to our SPONSORS! —All Star Sponsors— Char's Family Daycare Northeast Georgia Health System, Medical Plaza 400 State Farm Insurance, Roger Slaton —Blue Plate Special Sponsors— Fausett Farms Horse Trails The Henson Team, Bailey Real Estate The Purple Corn Boutique Tony & Jean Passarello —Continental Sponsors— Etowah Water & Sewer Authority ■ Hall-Dawson CASA Bearden Funeral Home ■ Dawsonville Distinctive Dentistry Dawson Insurance ■ Jan's Family Daycare ■ John Megel Chevrolet St. Vincent de Paul-Dave & Sue Seldomridge ■ Bethel UMC Lyons Farm Lamb ■ Dawson Eye Group ■ KG Cleaning Service Special Thanks to Longhorn Steakhouse & Chick-Fil-A Come have breakfast with us and support our work to prevent child abuse and neglect in Dawson County! 706-265-1981 for tickets or information Car Seat Safety Check Friday June 7 th 11am-2pm at North Georgia Premium Outlets
