The Winegrowers Association of Georgia is sponsoring its third annual Wine Highway Weekend on Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30, 2008.

There will be a $20 fee for each participant, collected at the first winery visited. Travelers will receive a “Wine Highway Weekend” collectors’ glass which will provide admission to ALL participating wineries at no additional charge. Normal tasting fees will not be charged to anyone participating in traveling the Wine Highway.

Member wineries and Affiliate Members will each provide their own unique open-house format, with many offering food and wine pairings, music, barrel and library wine tastings, discounts, drawings and other special attractions.

Hours vary from location to location and travelers should check individual websites for current hours and directions. Additional information and website listings are available at www.georgiawine.com.

The Winegrowers Association of Georgia reminds everyone to drink responsibly and to use designated drivers while traveling the Wine Highway.  There is no charge for designated drivers to participate in any special events.  

Special attractions and discounts at Affiliate Member locations are available to travelers presenting their Wine Highway collectors’ glass and include:

The BEECHWOOD INN is offering a special dinner and lodging package featuring an evening with Southern Flair. The Saturday night event starts with live music by Mountain Hoodoo and a dinner with Charleston-Style Crab Cakes, Beechwood Country Salad, Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Vidalia Onion Gravy, Warm Cheddar Cheese Spoon Bread and Gayle’s Bread Pudding paired with Georgia wines. A limited number of “dinner only” reservations are available. Bring your “Wine Highway Weekend” collectors’ glass for a $10.00 discount off of lodging (Limit One Per Room.) www.beechwoodinn.ws (706) 782-5485

BLACKSTOCK VINEYARDS AND WINERY will offer a complimentary 4-wine tasting to visitors with live jazz music and lunch fare on our 2,000 s.f. deck. The lunch menu will feature beef brisket smoked on site, as well as a smoked chicken option. Deck seating will also feature discounted wine-by-the-glass to enjoy with the hot lunch and the cool jazz. http://www.BSVW.com  (706) 219-2789

BURTON GALLERY AND EMPORIUM celebrates the Third Annual Wine Highway Weekend with mountain vineyard paintings in oil by Bill Davidson and David Horton, watercolor wine bottles filled with flowers by Dianne Isakson, and wine bottles by Chery Cratty in her unique pulp painting style. The gallery will also feature a special sale on selected pottery. www.burtongallery.net  (706) 947-1351

CEDAR HOUSE INN AND YURTS in Dahlonega offers guests traveling the Wine Highway a complimentary mimosa and special fruit in red wine sauce along with Quiche Lorraine, blueberry muffins, and sautéed vegetables for their special Wine Highway Weekend breakfast. www.georgiamountaininn.com  www.cedarhouseinn.mobi  (706) 8679446

CHATEAU ELAN will discount Wine Market purchases by 10% and will also offer Wine Highway Travelers a 10% discount on lunch at Cafe Elan and a complimentary sample of Chateau Elan’s Founders Reserve Georgia wines. www.chateauelan.com  (678) 425-0900

CORKS & CRUMBS, a tasting room for Frogtown Cellars in Ellijay, is offering a free Mimosa with the purchase of lunch on Saturday or brunch on Sunday in our Crumbs Bakery/Bistro. Be sure to browse new shipments of the latest in wine and home accessories plus delicious award winning Frogtown Cellars wines. (706) 698-WINE

COTTAGE GARDEN FURNITURE will display beautiful garden statuaries and planters that have been carefully selected for the Wine Highway Weekend. Custom finishes on garden pieces are reminiscent of old Italian pieces. Enjoy pesto dips from Pazzo’s Pizzaria and Italian Market. www.cottagegardenfurniture.com  (706) 947-1601

CRANE CREEK VINEYARDS will offer gourmet food samples and light lunch fare prepared by our in-house culinary expert! Enjoy food & wine in the Barn Swallow Pavilion overlooking the vineyards and gorgeous mountain views. www.cranecreekvineyards.com  (706) 379-1236

FROGTOWN CELLARS offers a special selection of Frogtown wines to enjoy with the renowned Frogtown Cheesebox. Show your Wine Highway Logo glass and receive a glass of wine at half price with your lunch order at our Panini Lunch Bar which is open from 12:00 noon to 3:30 p.m. Your Wine Highway Logo glass will also give you $10.00 off the price of a Tuscan Winetaster Dinner at 7:00 p.m. featuring 4 courses paired with wine for $45.00 each plus tax and gratuity. Go to www.frogtownwine.com for the menu and additional information. Viva Italia! (706) 865-0687

GLEN-ELLA SPRINGS INN will celebrate its official designation as a tasting room for Habersham Winery during this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday we will offer a 15% discount on lodging at the inn. Those who bring their Wine Highway Logo glasses will receive a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. Also we will have a complimentary wine tasting in the lobby on Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. http://www.glenella.com (706) 754-7295

HABERSHAM VINEYARDS & WINERY will feature a tasting of library wines no longer available to the public, which will be paired with light food selections. www.habershamwinery.com  (706) 878-9463

HICKORY FLAT POTTERY will offer free studio and kiln house tours with potters, Cindy Angliss and Tasha Autry. There will be demonstrating potters on the wheel both days as well as Hickory Flat pottery wine chillers, wine glasses, olive oil jugs, dipping trays, brie bakers, Italian wine jugs and more for sale. www.hickoryflatpottery.com (706) 947-0030

LILY CREEK LODGE invites travelers on the Wine Highway to spend the night with them and they will buy your first glass of wine! Guests will receive the purchase price of one Wine Highway Admission Glass for a one night one room reservation and two glasses for a two night stay. Note other specials at www.lilycreeklodge.com  (706) 864-6848

Spend a night at LONG MOUNTAIN LODGE B&B in Dahlonega and receive a complimentary bottle of local Lumpkin County Wine (Wolf Mountain, Frogtown, Blackstock) to enjoy by your private woodburning fireplace in your room. http://longmountainlodge.com  (706) 8634-2337

MONTALUCE will pour our new releases (M Vineyards) as well as a special flight of Italian wines created by our winemaker, Stefano Salvini. We will also offer tours of our new facility, live musical entertainment and food samplings from our newly opened restaurant Le Vigne. www.montaluce.com

MOUNTAIN LAUREL CREEK INN & SPA offers travelers a 10% discount off of its Tuscan Wine Therapy products and services, including the Tuscan Wine Spa Facial (regularly $80) and the Wine Therapy Spa Basket (regularly $65) which includes a Mediterranean Wine and Honey Body & Face Masque, Chianti & Grape Seed Crush Scrub and Bacchus Body Oil. Call (706) 867-8134 to book a reservation. Gift certificates available. www.mountainlaurelcreek.com (706) 867-8134

NACHOOCHEE GRILL will offer a 15% discount on both food and beverage purchases on both Saturday and Sunday. www.nachoocheegrill.com  (706) 878-8020

NATURALLY GEORGIA will feature appetizers made with wines from Tiger Mountain Vineyards and cheese from Sweet Grass Dairy. www.naturallygeorgia.com  (706) 864-0832

Stay at the NORTH 40 LODGE and receive a 10% discount on lodging for the Wine Highway Weekend. Call 1-800-379-6170 for reservations. www.north40lodge.com

PERSIMMON CREEK VINEYARDS is offering “Cabernet and Chocolate”…a tasting with our 2005 Cab Franc paired with custom made lavender chocolates. www.persimmoncreekwine.com (706) 212-7380

PURA VIDA USA offers travelers lodging in a lovely farmhouse room or a cabin with complimentary breakfast. During the Wine Highway Weekend, the resort will also offer a complimentary glass of wine with dinner. For additional information and other specials, including spa treatments, call (706) 865-7678 or go to http://puravidausa.com/specials.html

SHARP MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS customers will draw for wine, merchandise, or a fact/fortune ticket. We will also offer gourmet food samples and complimentary winery tours. www.sharpmountainvineyards.com  (770) 735-1210

THE STOVALL HOUSE will offer a 10% discount for lodging and dining during the Wine Highway Weekend. Dining is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. by reservation. www.stovallhouse.com (706) 878-3355

THE LODGE AT SMITHGALL WOODS will offer a complimentary glass of wine and a 10% discount on lodging. Come enjoy the 6,000 acres of peace and quiet and the wonderful cooking of Chef Mac Parks. Rates include Saturday Reception, Dinner, and Sunday Brunch. Call for details: 800-318-5248 or www.smithgallwoods.com

TIGER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS will feature wine tastings paired with cheeses from Georgia’s award winning Sweet Grass Dairies and bread from the Buckhead Bread Company. Join us on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and enjoy live music by Kenny Tollison. www.tigerwine.com  (706) 782-4777

TIMPSON CREEK GALLERY in Rabun County will offer a 10% discount for participants showing their Wine Highway Weekend glasses. www.timpsoncreek.com  (706) 782-5164

At WOLF MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS enjoy a complimentary pre-bottling tasting of our 2006 Instinct and Claret Estate Blends in our cask room and watch as our cooper (barrel maker) refinishes, retoasts and reassembles our older French Oak Barrels. We will feature lunch in the Vineyard Café on Saturday from 12 – 3 p.m. and our elaborate brunch on Sunday will feature live jazz entertainment with seatings at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Reservations are required for lunch or brunch and can be made by calling (706) 867-9682. www.wolfmountainvineyards.com