MOUNTAIN TRAVELER: All aboard a wine tour

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White County is in the heart of North Georgia wine country, and with plenty of vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms, many visitors are turning to wine tours for a leisurely way to experience the area. A ride with a tour guide provides a way to go between stops, so you can focus on the scenic...

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  • Southern Tours & Charles Ernst/ Wineries have their own distinct style and wines to enjoy, and wine tours help guests experience multiple venues.
    Southern Tours & Charles Ernst/ Wineries have their own distinct style and wines to enjoy, and wine tours help guests experience multiple venues.
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White County is in the heart of North Georgia wine country, and with plenty of vineyards, wineries, and tasting rooms, many visitors are turning to wine tours for a leisurely way to experience the area.

A ride with a tour guide provides a way to go between stops, so you can focus on the scenic views and the company with you, be it a public group or a reserved private outing. But the tours are about more than how you get around.

“I truly believe in customer service and offering something more than just transportation,” says Christina Ernst, president of VIP Southern Tours, one of the local companies providing the service.

Each venue features its own signature atmosphere and wine tastings. (And you can also buy a bottle of your favorite to take home.) You’ll get to visit hotspots for photographs at some of the most scenic areas in the county, featuring mountain views and rolling hills. Some venues offer live music on weekends.

Packages vary among tour providers, who continue to expand their offerings beyond wine.

But you don’t have to be a wine expert to enjoy a few hours of pampered hospitality. Wine tours are great for a day trip or part of a weekend getaway to the mountains.

“People love our wine country and are extending their day trips into overnight stays,” Ernst said.

She notes some visitors choose to settle down in a hotel or cabin to combine their outing with the chance to explore the area’s dining options, traditional arts and crafts or one of many other attractions.

“White County has a story to tell, and I believe this is important to share with our visitors,” Ernst said.