Yonah Mountain Vineyards values conservation, sustainability and fine wine

Josephine Johnson
| For the Savannah Morning News

Nearly five hours and 330 miles northwest of Savannah, a trip to Yonah Mountain near Cleveland, Georgia, is admittedly more like a two-tank trip. Despite the distance, visiting North Georgia at this time of year offers unique opportunities to experience the state’s rolling Appalachian landscapes, enveloped and curved in the glow of fall.

If you’re looking for a way to take advantage of some of these fall offerings and tent or RV camping appeals to you, Mount Yonah Campground is an affordable way to explore the area. With tent sites ranging from $33 to $40 per night and RV parks from $55 to $70, this is hands down the most economical way to visit, certainly more affordable than anything else you’ll find on Airbnb or Vrbo. Plus, you’ll meet travelers and families from all over the country and world who come just to hike, bike, and admire the colorful countryside.

With game nights, ice cream socials, fall hay rides, s’mores campfires and treats, Yonah Mountain Campground has something for every member of the family. Most weekends they also have live music. Situated for maximum adventure, the campground is near the Yonah Mountain Trailhead, Yonah Preserve Trails, Yonah Mountain Vineyards, and the Bavarian-themed Helen Village, just five miles to the north.

Once you’ve selected a base camp, it’s time to explore. If you’re feeling fit and adventurous, reaching the top of Yonah Mountain is a must. The trailhead is a two-mile drive from the campground. But here’s the thing: Although the total hike is 4.1 miles, the route gains 1,500 feet in elevation from the trailhead to the summit. Additionally, near the summit you will have to climb over adjacent rocks with incredibly steep drops. This is a rugged, steady climb that absolutely deserves the “Most Difficult” designation according to Atlantatrails.com.

But once you reach the top, the scenic photo ops are breathtaking, and you’ll have earned some serious outdoor cred and bragging rights with your friends. Most hikers complete the trail in about three hours.

But if that’s more effort than you want to devote to a weekend, exploring the trails of the Yonah Preserve, five miles from the campground, is another option. Currently, 11 miles of non-motorized trails welcome hikers and mountain bikers, with up to 12 miles expected to open in the coming years. The preserve regularly hosts mountain biking events in the spring and fall.

While you consider the day’s adventure options, a quick stop at Jumpingoat Coffee Roasters might provide the caffeine fix you need to make your final decision.

At Jumpingoat, you’ll find a variety of organic, on-site roasted, single-origin Rainforest Alliance coffees. Not only are they of the highest quality, but the coffee beans also come from environmentally sustainable farms that economically support the people who grow this crop. This time of year, Pumpkin S’mores and Caramel Apple lattes are a hit with regulars and visitors alike.

Visit an award-winning Georgia winery in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains

After coffee and a morning of outdoor adventures, you’ll have earned a visit to Yonah Mountain Vineyards, where you can treat yourself to lunch from their Southern-inspired food truck. Or indulge your inner snacker with one of their gourmet charcuterie boards. After you’ve fueled up, take a Winery Select tour and learn about North Georgia’s wine country. Tours take place every Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a 200-acre family labor of love, with father-son duo Bob and Eric Miller running the operation. In 2005, after retiring from a long career in finance, Bob purchased the land, then the entire forest. The family cleared approximately 15 acres for the vineyard and wine production facilities. A few years later, they planted their first grapes and became the twelfth winery in the state. In 2011, the establishment produced wine.

Miller, with a penchant for conservation and sustainability, added bee boxes and calculated the number of solar panels needed to operate the facility. In 2019, Yonah Mountain Vineyards became the first solar-powered winery in the state. Currently, solar energy provides all the electricity necessary for the processing and production of wine. The tasting room also draws its energy entirely from the sun. With 14 electric car charging stations and a fleet of electric work vehicles, the facility sets the industry standard on the East Coast for sustainability in winemaking.

In 2020, the Georgia Water Coalition honored Yonah Mountain Vineyards with the Georgia Clean 13 Water Award, recognizing their work in protecting the state’s water resources and natural habitats.

The Winery Select tour lasts about an hour and a half and meanders through the varieties of grapes growing on the property. You will also have the opportunity to taste some of their premium wines. At Yonah Mountain Vineyards, quality trumps quantity. Eric emphasizes that this is a boutique business that produces no more than 6,400 cases of wine per year.

And the family’s dedication and attention to detail is paying off: This year, the San Francisco Wine Chronicle 2024 awarded Yonah Mountain Vineyards 13 medals, including two double golds for their Steamboat and Elizabeth’s Chardonnay. To date, family winemakers have won more medals than any other winery in the state.

After the tour, you can return to the tasting room and taste more of their wines. You can also wander the grounds to check out the solar panels, fish pond and outdoor wedding venue, where the vineyard is also making a name for itself. In 2024, Eric and his team plan to organize just over 60 ceremonies.

After a full day of learning and exploring, you will be hungry. And you have options. Five miles away in Cleveland, Georgia, is Clyde’s Table and Tavern, a local mom-and-pop spot revered for its barbecue, cornbread muffins, and white chocolate bread pudding. Or you can drive to Helen, Georgia, 10 miles away, and dine at Bangkok Haus. Yes, in the middle of the city that is home to all things Bavarian and Oktoberfest, there is a restaurant serving impeccable traditional Thai dishes, sushi and craft cocktails.

You can also return to the campsite, prepare your own meal, then join the evening campfire for a nightcap of conversation and homemade s’mores. This is when you will likely meet people from all over America, Europe, and even Asia, eager to explore the Appalachian Mountains and experience fall in the United States. Gathered around a campfire, bundled up and enjoying the company and stories of new people, this may be the best part of adventure in this very special part of Georgia in the fall.

Visit an award-winning Georgia winery in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains

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