Stomp Your Feet

Here's Something to Wine About

By Julie Senger

Looking for an opportunity to test out your seasoned or newly acquired wine-tasting skills? Georgia has many vineyards that are near enough for a girls day out or a romantic couples day-date. Two of its newer, family-owned-and-operated vineyards, Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery and Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery, are definitely something to wine about.

Located in the picturesque foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery is owned and operated by Robin and Dave Higginbotham and their daughter, McKenzie. This family goes the extra mile to ensure that your visit is lovely and laid back. At Fainting Goat, they encourage you to Enjoy Earth. Enjoy life. Enjoy People. As the whimsical name might imply, theres nothing pretentious about Fainting Goat. As you sip your wine of choice while overlooking the amazing view, from which you can see midtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain after the trees have shed their leaves in the fall, and as you listen to the mellow, acoustic, live music that compliments rather than detracts from the ambiance of this vineyard, you are likely to feel a sense of calm, relaxed bliss. If you happen to have your children with you, which they welcome at Fainting Goat, they can love on Teddy and Rosie, the Higginbothams vineyard dogs, (which they hope will help keep the black bears away from their grapes!) or they can play a casual game of cornhole or other outdoor lawn game. Though the Higginbothams are originally from Ohio, they have mastered everything you might associate with the phrase southern hospitality. You will definitely want to sit a spell in their loft, on their veranda, in their back yard or in their tasting room.

The Wines
Fainting Goat only produces Bordeaux wines, grown only from French vinifera vines because they are less susceptible to insect infestation. Since they are so new, they have yet to produce a wine that is made solely from the grapes theyve grown in their vineyard. Currently 80% of the wine they produce comes from Georgia-grown grapes. Since the Higginbothams are proud Americans, most of their wines have patriotic names such as 1812, Old Glory, Constitution, Revere, Patriot, Liberty and Valor. 1812, a red, cabernet sauvignon-blend, has won a silver medal, while Old Glory, a white, sauvignon blanc, has won a bronze medal as well as best in show.

Fun Fact
While there are no actual fainting goats on the 10-acre property, the Higginbothams jokingly refer to themselves as fainting goats because rather than purchasing goats to help them clear the steep, hillside land on which they planted their vineyard, they cleared the land themselves. After many trips up and down the hillside to clear the land and plant their vines in Georgias notorious heat and humidity, the Higginbothams often thought they might faint! Thus, the name Fainting Goat Vineyards and Winery was born.

Upcoming Events
In addition to hosting weddings and corporate events, Fainting Goat also knows how to throw a party all its own. Their Square Dancing Under the Stars is on October 14, from 7:00-9:00 pm; join them for an evening of dancing, wine drinking and classic, southern, comfort food! They encourage you to dress the part, so don your cowboy boots, petticoats, cowboy hats and any other western wear you can find! Another of their most popular annual events is Winestock, which is a 70s-themed event held on the fourth weekend in July each year. They also have live music most weekends, so check their website for further details!

201 Vineyard Way, Jasper, GA 30143. 706-692-WINE. FaintingGoatVineyardsAndWinery.com

After driving down a long, peaceful country road, Chateau Meichtry (pronounced my tree) seemingly pops up in the middle of nowhere, like a dream, amidst mountainous, rural surroundings. Chateau Meichtry is a proud, family vineyard. Almost everyone who works there is related to Stephan Meichtry, the vineyards namesake, by birth or marriage. According to Chateau Meichtrys website, Stephan Meichtry traveled to America from the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It is believed that when he came to America, he brought his own root stock from Switzerland and grew the vines he used for his lifelong wine-making. Though Stephan is now deceased, a stock from his vines was exhumed from his home in NY and planted at Chateau Meichtry Vineyard.

In Chateau Meichtrys tasting room, owners Bobby and Karin McNeill (Karin is Stephans granddaughter) can usually be found behind the bar, educating guests on all of the wines they are enjoying. Their son, Justin, is also usually on-hand to answer questions. Justin, trained by Maria Peterson, is the vineyards primary winemaker.

And if the information that you learned about their wines during your tasting has made you thirst for more knowledge, tours of the vineyard and the winemaking process are also offered. Theyll explain everything from harvesting and fermenting, to cold pressing and how long each of their wines are left in their specific type of barrel in order to age properly and be infused by the barrels unique flavors.

Outside of its inviting tasting room, Chateau Meichtry has quaint tables set up for guests to enjoy live music while sipping wine and mingling amidst the breathtaking, surrounding nature.

The Wines
In addition to sampling Chateau Meichtrys wines from a typical wine glass, guests can also enjoy wine from elegantly edible chocolate cups! They are excited to introduce guests to the first wine produced solely from grapes grown in their own vineyard, Seyval Blanc. Currently, their most popular wine is their Stephan Reserve, of which only 110 cases were produced. Other wines include a vidal blanc, pinot grigio, chardonnay, meritage, merlot, ros, suben roote, cabernet sauvignon, and an ecelectic blend called 46 North. They also have an Artist Series of wines that is forthcoming, of which a portion of the sale of each bottle will benefit the Gilmer Arts Heritage Association.

Fun Fact
Chateau Meichtry has a hidden, secret room behind a book case, much like what you might remember seeing in Scooby Doo cartoons as a child. In addition to storing one case of each of the wines they produce in this room, they also host small events, meetings and dinners in this intimate space.

Bonus fun fact: Chateau Meichtry donates 100% of the gratuities they receive at the vineyard to St. Judes Hospital.

Upcoming Events
Chateau Meichtry offers a variety of live music artists on weekends as well as themed parties once a month, everything from singer-songwriter evenings, to 60s and 70s nights. Theyre hosting their popular Halloween Costume Party on October 21st. Call or visit their website for more information about this and their other fun events!

1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA 30175. 706-502-1608. ChateauMeichtry.com

Other Nearby Vineyards to Check Out:

Feathers Edge Vineyards
10061 Ball Ground Highway
Ball Ground, GA 30107
770-735-6923
FeathersEdgeVineyards.com

Cartecay Vineyards
5704 Clear Creek Road
Ellijay, GA 30536
706-698-9463
CartecayVineyards.com

Engelheim Vineyards
127 Lakeview Road
Ellijay, GA 30540
706-635-9463
Engelheim.com

Sharp Mountain Vineyards
110 Rathgeb Trail
Jasper, GA 30143
770-735-1210
SharpMountainVineyards.com

Wine Tasting 101
Attention aspiring oenophiles! Heres the proper way to taste wine:

1. Once poured into your glass, observe the wines color. Wine should not be cloudy or murky. White wine gets darker with age but shouldnt be brown. Red wine loses color with age and may also develop a brownish tint. Red wine may also have a bit of sediment in the bottom of the bottle or glass. This is normal and harmless.
2. Carefully swirl the wine and tilt your glass. Swirling allows the wine to breathe and assists in the release of all of its aromas and flavors. Be sure to hold the glass by the stem, as the heat from your hand on the glass may affect its true flavor. Carefully tilting the glass allows you to check for its viscosity, or legs. Legs are the trails of wine that slide down the insides of the glass when it is upright again. The thicker the legs, the more full-bodied the wine tends to be. This isnt necessarily an indication of quality, but a matter of personal taste.
3. Put your nose in the glass, and inhale the wines aroma. After some practice, you may be able to detect notes of fruits, florals, herbs, spices and earthy scents like soils, minerals and wood. If it smells musty, it may have been improperly bottled and should be discarded. A heavy vinegar scent may indicate that the wine is very acidic. Brettanomyces (Bretts) cause a yeasty smell, which is natural in red wine but shouldnt be overpowering.
4. Sip and savor the flavor of the wine. Swish the wine through your mouth, tasting the presence of its acidity, alcohol and the other aforementioned aromas you detected when smelling the wine. Note the wines texture and how it feels in your mouth. Decide if you like it. To each their own; theres no right or wrong choice when it comes to wine; its about determining what YOU like. Spittoons will usually be provided for you to dispose of the wine rather than swallowing it. If youre planning to taste many different wines, becoming intoxicated will make it more difficult to note and appreciate a wines complexity.

*Source: WikiHow.com/Taste-Wine