Wineries Near Blue Ridge, GA: Hours, Tastings & Rules (2026)

There are two tasting rooms in Blue Ridge itself and more within a short drive. Here's what each one lists on its own site: hours, kids and dogs, food, and what to know before you go.

#Wineries near Blue Ridge at a glance

Drive times are from downtown Blue Ridge, checked with a routing service, with no traffic.

Hours change with the seasons and holidays, so check the winery's own page the week you go.

#Which wineries are in Blue Ridge?

The Blue Ridge Mountains Chamber lists three vineyards and wineries in its main section: Bear Claw Vineyards, Mercier Orchards, and Kerith House (Chamber). Two are in Blue Ridge, and Kerith House is in nearby Morganton.

#Bear Claw Vineyards

Bear Claw is on Tennis Court Road in Blue Ridge. The Chamber describes it as a densely planted vineyard known for mountain views, bubbling springs, and the Blue Ridge Treehouse (Chamber). The winery says it sits "At 1832 feet above sea level," is "100% female owned," and produces and bottles its own wine (Our Story).

From its first-visit page:

• Tastings: "Tastings are always available." The page doesn't list tasting prices.
• Kids and dogs: "Child and Dog friendly."
• Food: "Outside food is allowed." Its events page says "FOOD TRUCK ON SITE WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY EACH WEEK" (events).
• Seating: "Covered outdoor patio seating, picnic tables, as well as indoor seating."
• Closed: Tuesdays, plus "Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas."

Live music: Bear Claw advertises free live music all year on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Its events page lists Fridays 3 to 7 PM and Sundays 1 to 5 PM, but gives Saturday as both 1 to 7:30 PM and 1 to 8 PM in different spots (events).

VIP tour: Bear Claw sells a VIP Tasting Tour Experience led by the owner, shown at a sale price of $59.50 (marked down from $72.00) when we checked. The page says "21 and over only please," "Tours are always rain or shine," and asks you to bring a jacket or light coat (VIP tour). Tour dates are on that page.

#Mercier Orchards

Mercier Orchards also runs a hard cider and winery tasting room. "No Reservation Necessary," and a wine flight is $15 (Mercier). Its house wines include apple, blackberry, and strawberry wines, and the tasting room also carries wines from local vineyards in Blue Ridge and the North Georgia mountains.

A few rules: "IDs are required to purchase alcohol at any time," and Sunday sales start at 12:30 PM. Pets are welcome on the Hard Cider deck and around the pond, but non-service animals aren't allowed inside, in the orchard, or in the cafe. Mercier says it's closed on Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Easter (Mercier). Our Mercier Orchards guide covers the market, bakery, and u-pick seasons.

#Kerith House (Morganton)

The Chamber describes Kerith House as a boutique farm and winery on 124 acres, with a veranda overlooking developing vineyards (Chamber). Its tasting room "is open seven days a week," and the Vintner's Cafe is open Thursday to Sunday (Kerith House).

From its hours and directions FAQ:

• Reservations: "No, reservations are not required for small parties." For groups larger than 10, reservations are recommended.
• Kids: "Yes, we welcome families and well-behaved, supervised children."
• Dogs: "well-behaved, leashed dogs are allowed on the patio and outside areas only."
• Food: "No, outside food is not allowed without prior approval."

The page doesn't list tasting prices. Kerith House also posts live music, classes, and other events on its events calendar.

#Which wineries are near Blairsville?

The Chamber's "Nearby" list adds wineries in Blairsville, Ellijay, and Murphy, North Carolina (Chamber). We checked two of the Blairsville stops.

#Living Water Winery & Vineyard

Living Water says "Our farm is an expansive 70-acres of rolling hills" with "dramatic panoramic views of the Blue Ridge mountains" (Living Water). It pours wine, beer, and cider.

• Kids and dogs: "We are family friendly and dog friendly."
• Food: "We often have food trucks, but outside food is permitted."
• Live music: "Live music most Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays."

It's the only stop here that lists 7 PM closing every day of the week. We couldn't check a drive time to it, so map it before you go.

#Redtail Mountain Vineyard

Redtail is about 35 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge. It talks about "our special terroir in the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA" and offers "Meats, Cheeses, Crackers and Jams" (Redtail). Its "Updated Fall Hours" are Thursday to Sunday, noon to 6 PM, and the page says "Summer hours come to a close as fall has arrived," so don't plan on it Monday to Wednesday right now. The page also says "Fall is coming to an end," so check for winter hours.

#Others on the Chamber's list

The Chamber also lists Grapes and Ladders, Ott Vineyards, and Roo Mountain Vineyards in Ellijay, Paradise Hills in Blairsville, and Nottely River Valley Vineyards in Murphy, North Carolina (Chamber). We haven't checked their hours here. Nottely's own site says its tasting room is open "In season" on Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 6 PM (Nottely River Valley).

#How do I plan a winery afternoon from Blue Ridge?

• Pick your days. Bear Claw is closed Tuesdays, and Redtail lists Thursday to Sunday this fall. Mercier, Kerith House, and Living Water list hours every day.
• Know the Sunday start times. Mercier and Kerith House open at 12:30 PM on Sundays and Living Water at 1 PM, while Bear Claw and Redtail list noon.
• Check food rules. Bear Claw and Living Water allow outside food. Kerith House doesn't without prior approval.
• Bring ID. Mercier requires it to buy alcohol, and Bear Claw's VIP tour is 21 and over.
• Choose a driver. The stops above range from about 2 to 23 miles from downtown, so pick a designated driver or keep it to one or two stops.
• Watch the holidays. Bear Claw closes Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Mercier closes Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Easter.

A two-stop afternoon in Blue Ridge is simple: Mercier and Bear Claw are both close to downtown. For a longer day, add Kerith House in Morganton. If you're also into beer, see our Blue Ridge breweries guide. For a full couples' weekend, see things to do in Blue Ridge for couples or our anniversary planning guide.

#Where to stay for a Blue Ridge winery weekend

The Black Ember is our modern A-frame about 10 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge and Mercier Orchards. It has a cedar barrel sauna, a private hot tub, a wood fire pit with Adirondack chairs, and a dining deck under string lights. Our house rules ask you to skip the sauna and hot tub after drinking, so save them for the morning after a tasting, and enjoy the fire pit that evening. It sleeps up to 5, and it's pet-free, smoke-free, and has no parties. See why couples book it or the cabin with a hot tub.