Tag Archives: Georgia wine tourism

Growing Georgia’s Grape Industry: UGA Extension Helps Vineyards Thrive

Posted on by

Ellijay, GA |

From the rolling hills of North Georgia to vineyards scattered across the state, grapes are becoming a rising star in Georgia agriculture. At the heart of this growth is Sarah Lowder, Viticulture Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia, who is helping to shape the future of the state’s young—but expanding—wine industry.

“As an extension specialist, my job is to help extend the educational impacts that all these universities, all of the scientists are generating, to where it can be applicable for the people that are using it,” said Lowder. “As the viticulture specialist, that means I get to work with people that grow grapes—and help to figure out how to grow grapes better in the state of Georgia.”

While viticulture is a centuries-old tradition in places like Europe or California, Georgia’s modern wine industry is still in its early stages, with most of its growth coming in just the past few decades.

“Viticulture is an international thing,” said Lowder. “Everyone can think of different wine growing regions across the world. But the industry as it currently is in Georgia is still fairly new—like twenty, thirty years. Grapes can be pretty intensive. You’re trying to trellis them, train them, and manage different diseases and pests. And then it’s formed into wine, which is an added-value product. So there’s a lot of interest in making sure those grapes are the best quality grapes that can produce the best quality wines—ones that really express the region they come from.”

That’s where Lowder and her team step in—providing support and science-backed resources to growers navigating the many challenges of establishing successful vineyards.

“It takes a lot of work to get these vines in the ground,” she said. “And so sometimes these growers are working and they’re like, ‘Alright, now I have questions about how I do this.’ That’s where I get to come in—and the other people I work with—to help support these growers and do a better job doing what they’re doing.”

Thanks to increasing consumer demand and the rise of agritourism, Georgia’s wine industry has seen rapid growth in recent years, with wineries becoming popular weekend destinations.

“The wine industry has seen a real boom,” said Lowder. “I think it’s driven as part of the agritourism business. People want the experience of going to a winery, having wine that’s been grown and made on-site, and just enjoying a beautiful day in the mountains of Georgia—where you can enjoy the view and a Georgia-grown product.”

Grapes may be a niche crop in the broader landscape of Georgia agriculture, but they represent big opportunity—and long-term investment.

“Grapes are a really, really cool crop to work with,” said Lowder. “They’re perennials. These vines are going to stay in your vineyard and produce for many, many, many years.”

By: John Holcomb

Georgia’s Wine Industry Grows with New Faces, Local Support, and Major Economic Impact

Posted on by

Griffin, GA |

If you’re looking to experience some of the best wines not just in the U.S. but across the globe, you might not think to look in Georgia—but you should. With more than 120 wineries and vineyards now operating across the state, Georgia’s wine industry has become one of the region’s fastest-growing agricultural sectors.

And with that growth expected to continue, events like the New Wine Grower Symposium have become an invaluable resource for those looking to break into the business.

“You have to be licensed federally, state, and locally,” says Jane Miller, a veteran Georgia wine producer. “You have to have a license to sell your wine and to distribute your wine. So there’s the legal part. You have to file taxes every month—that’s the bookkeeping part. And then there’s the physical fact that growing grapes is not easy.”

While winemaking may not be simple, Georgia’s climate offers many advantages similar to those found in some of the world’s top wine-producing regions.

“The northern latitude is the mainland United States and Europe—Sicily, North Africa,” Miller explains. “The southern latitude is Chile and Argentina, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand. We have the temperature, the climate, the soils—everything you need.”

Unlike two decades ago, today’s new growers have access to a strong support system built by industry veterans eager to share their experience.

“When my husband and I started in 2006, people wanted to keep it to themselves,” says Miller. “But over the years that has totally changed. Everybody’s opened up. All the new people are friendly and would give you the shirt off their back. They really want to help—because what one winery does helps the whole industry. A rising tide raises all boats.”

Demographics in Georgia’s wine industry are changing too. Miller says more young families are choosing to come back to the land and start vineyards of their own.

“When we started twenty years ago, this industry was full of retirees starting a second career,” she says. “But today, I’m seeing young people with babies coming back, buying five or ten acres, and starting small vineyards. And believe me, the consumers in Georgia are really interested to come and see what you have to offer.”

Beyond its reputation for quality wines and agritourism experiences, Georgia’s wine industry is leaving a much bigger footprint on the state’s economy than many people realize.

“It’s over fifty million dollars a year,” Miller says. “We employ not just the people at the wineries but the surrounding restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and more. It’s an expanding economic impact for the state. And our legislature is starting to understand that and beginning to give us some help.”

By: Damon Jones