News

The voting membership, including the Board of Directors, shall have their Annual Membership Meeting for the transaction of business on January 10, 2022 at 1:00pm at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, 100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton, GA 30517. 

Currently Accepting Nominations for the following Positions:

Bonded Georgia Farm Winery Member from the North Region
Currently Matt Vrahiotes, Sweet Acre Farms Winery (ineligible for re-election)

Bonded Georgia Farm Winery Member for the South Region
Currently Chris Paulk, Paulk Vineyards -Treasurer (ineligible for re-election)

At Large 1
Currently Eric Seifarth, Crane Creek Vineyards -President (ineligible for re-election) 

At Large 3
Currently Gary Engel, Engelheim Vineyards (ineligible for re-election)

At large voting members can be any combination of Bonded Georgia Farm Winery member(s) and, or Vineyard and, or Orchard member(s), from any region of the state. 

Membership dues must be paid and current to be considered for a Board of Directors position. 

Click Here to view the Georgia Wine Producers By Laws and a Regional Map

If you wish to appoint a proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting, click here for a Voting Proxy Form.

NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO
DIRECTOR@GEORGIAWINEPRODUCERS.ORG
Please include Name, Business Name, and Contact Information.

Big changes are coming to the annual event known as Wine Highway. Now known as Georgia Wine Highway and sponsored by Georgia Wine Producers, the statewide organization representing wineries and vineyards in Georgia. In 2020, wine highway transitioned to a month-long event, this tradition will continue in 2021. Georgia Wine Highway will be held the entire month of August 2021.

The 2021 event will include 41 wineries and 8 tasting rooms across the entire state of Georgia, allowing participants to explore new wineries and revisit wine highway favorites. 

There will be a $75.00 fee for each passport and may be purchased beginning August 1 at any of the participating wineries or tasting rooms. Passport holders will receive an “Open Georgia Wine” collectors’ glass. Each passport holder will receive either 4 tastings or 1 glass at the participating wineries. Passports will be accepted during each property's regular business hours published online and in the passport. Properties reserve the right to change those hours. You are encouraged to check the business hours of the property you plan to visit. For more information contact info@georgiawineproducers.org or 706-669-8184.

#OPENGEORGIAWINE in 2021 #GaWineHwy2021

Link to Google Map https://bit.ly/3zcKsiq

Participating Wineries:
12 Spies Vineyards
550 Black Branch Road, Rabun Gap, GA 30568
706-490-0890
Mon-Thurs 12-5pm Fri 12-6pm Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-5pm

Big Door Vineyards
125 Clearwater Trail, White, GA 30184
678-880-8485
Mon-Thurs 11:30am-6:00pm  Fri-Sat 11:30am-8pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Buckley Vineyards
708 Henry Evans Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536
706-972-2080
Mon-Thurs 12-6pm Fri 12-8pm  Sat 12-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Cartecay Vineyards
5704 Clear Creek Road, Ellijay, GA 30536
706-698-9463
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery
3610 Cavender Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-451-9084
Sun-Thurs 12:30-6:30pm Fri 12:30-7pm Sat 11am-7pm

CeNita Winery and Tasting Room
591 Dock Dorsey Rd, Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-7478
Mon-Sun 11:30-5pm

Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard & Winery
1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock, GA 30175
706-502-1608
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-5:30pm

The Cottage Vineyard & Winery Inc.
5050 Hwy 129 N. Cleveland, GA 30528
706-865-0053
Mon-Sun 1-5pm

Crane Creek Vineyards
1040 Crane Creek Road, Young Harris, GA 30582
706-379-1236
Tues-Sat 11am-5:30pm Sun 1-5pm

Creekstone Winery
285 Hardman Farm Road, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
706-878-0004
Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm Fri-Sat 11am-9pm  Sun 12:30-6pm

Currahee Vineyard & Winery
3301 West Currahee Street, Toccoa, GA 30577
706-768-5383
Wed-Fri 12-6pm Sat 11am-6pm Sun 11am-4pm

Twisted Wine Garden at Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard
400 Blueberry Hill, Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-865-7678
Fri 11am-6pm Sat 11am-6pm Sun 11am-4pm

Engelheim Vineyards
127 Lakeview Road, Ellijay, GA 30540
706-635-9463
Mon-Sun 12:30-6pm

Etowah Meadery & The Dahlonega Brewery
3003 Morrison Moore Pkwy E., Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-864-6323
Wed 2-7pm Thurs 2-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm Sun 11am-7pm

Grapes & Ladders Vineyards and Winery
2317 Hwy 382 W, Ellijay, GA 30540
678-492-9861
Wed-Sat 12-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Habersham Winery
7025 South Main Street, Helen, GA 30545
706-878-9463
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Hightower Creek Vineyards
7150 Canaan Drive, Hiawassee, GA 30546
706-896-8963
Mon, Wed-Sat 12-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Horse Creek Winery
101 Roundtree Bridge Road, Sparks, GA 31647
229-549-9463
Tues-Sun 1-6pm

Kaya Vineyards & Winery
5400 Town Creek Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-219-3514
Tues-Sat 11am-5pm Sun 12:30-5pm

Newby Farm & Vineyard
411 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30165
706-528-4614
Wed-Thurs 4-8pm Fri-Sat 12-10pm Sun 12-6pm

Nutwood Winery
1339 Big Springs Road, LaGrange, GA 30241
706-882-5295
Thurs 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Odom Springs Vineyards
637 Odom Road, Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-3094
Mon 11am-3pm Tues-Sat 11am-6pm Sun 1-5pm

Ott Farms and Vineyard
230 Henry Evans Rd, Ellijay, GA 30536
706-273-1891
Mon-Sat 12-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Painted Horse Winery & Vineyards
2105 Bethany Way, Milton, GA 30004
770-846-1559
Thurs 1-6pm Fri 1-8pm Sat 1-8pm Sun 1-5pm

Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa
366 Paradise Road, Blairsville, GA 30512
706-745-7483
Sun-Wed 1-5pm Thurs 12-6pm Fri 12-8pm Sat 12-6pm

Paulk Vineyards
1788 Satilla Road, Wray, GA 31798
229-468-7873
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm Sat 10am-6pm

Qualusi Vineyards
440 Blossom Trail, Acworth, GA 30101
678-653-7722
Mon Thurs-Fri 2-7pm  Sat 11am-7pm Sun 1-5pm

Serenity Cellars
265 Laurel Ridge Road, Cleveland, GA 30528
706-348-1277
Mon-Fri 12-5pm Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Sharp Mountain Vineyards
110 Rathgeb Trail, Jasper, GA 30143
770-735-1210
Fri 12-6pm Sat 12-6pm Sun 12:30-5pm

Southern Origin Meadery
2069 Bond Ave, Canon, GA 30520
706-245-6586
Thurs 10am-5pm Fri 10am-7pm Sat 10am-6pm

Stonewall Creek Vineyards
323 Standing Deer Lane, Tiger, GA 30576
706-212-0584
Thurs-Mon 12:30-5pm Fri-Sat 12:30-6pm

Sweet Acre Farms Winery
7584 Bill Wilson Road, Alto, GA 30510
678-769-5335
Mon 1-6pm Thurs 1-7pm Fri 1-8pm Sat 11am-8pm Sun 12:30-7pm

Sylvan Valley Lodge
747 Duncan Bridge Road, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571
706-865-7371
Thurs 12-5pm Fri-Sat 12-8pm Sun 12:30-5pm

Terra Incognita Vineyard
1821 Vandiver Mtn Road, Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-963-0228
Sat-Sun 12-9pm

Tesnatee River Winery and Meadery
172 Lloyds Honey Farm Rd, Cleveland, GA 30528
706-352-5488
Mon-Fri 12-6pm Sat 12-8pm Sun 12:30-5pm

Trillium Vineyard
1994 Old Bush Mill Rd, Breman, GA 30110
770-841-3992
Thurs 1-6pm Fri-Sat 1-10pm

Three Strands Vineyard & Winery
1505 Willow Springs Rd, Dallas, GA
470-296-1040
Wed-Thurs 2-7pm Fri 2-9pm Sat 11:30am-9pm Sun 12:30-6pm 

Uncorked on Main/Vineyards at Mill Creek
129 Main Street, Villa Rica, GA 30180
678-941-3699
Wed 4-9pm Thurs 4-9pm Fri-Sat 4-10pm

Waldmet Cellars
916 Old Philadelphia Road, Jasper, GA 30143
678-743-1773
Fri 4-7pm Sat 12-7pm Sun 12-6pm

Wolf Creek Plantation
207 Wolf Creek Drive, Americus, GA 31719
229-942-0091
Mon-Fri 11am-5pm Sat 11am-6pm

Yonah Mountain Vineyards
1717 Highway 255 S, Cleveland, GA 30528
706-878-5522
Mon-Thurs 12-5pm Fri 12-6pm Sat 11am-7:30pm Sun 12:30-6pm

You may visit the following tasting rooms and use your passports instead of visiting the winery/vineyard. The tasting will punch your passport for the winery/vineyard associated with the tasting room. 

Participating Tasting Rooms:
Cartecay Wine & Craft – Blue Ridge
Tasting Room for Cartecay Vineyards
598 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-946-3050
Mon-Thurs 12-7pm Fri-Sat 11am-9pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Cartecay Wine & Craft – Ellijay
Tasting Room for Cartecay Vineyards
19 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
706-697-9463
Mon-Thurs 12-7pm Fri-Sat 11am-9pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Dahlonega Tasting Room
Tasting Room for Habersham Winery and Etowah Meadery
16 North Park St. Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-300-9122
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Georgia Wine Depot
Tasting Room for Paradise Hills Winery Resort & Spa
678 East Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706-946-0529
Thurs-Fri 11am-6pm Sat 11am-8pm Sun 1-5pm

Jumpin Goat Coffee Roasters & Tasting Room
Tasting Room for Southern Origin Meadery
2404 Helen Hwy, Cleveland, GA 30528
706-219-3854
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm

Naturally Georgia
Tasting Room for Engelheim Vineyards and Crane Creek Vineyards
90 & 94 Public Square N, Dahlonega, GA 30533
706-864-0832
Mon & Wed-Sun 12-6pm 

Sweet Acre Farms Winery Helen Tasting Room
Tasting Room for Sweet Acre Farms Winery
8016 South Main Street, Suite B-1, Helen, GA 30545
706-969-7111
Thurs 1-7pm Fri 1-8pm Sat 11am-8pm Sun 12:30-6pm

Wolf Creek Plantation in Downtown Americus
Tasting Room for Wolf Creek Plantation
133 West Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709
229-942-0091
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 31, 2021
Office of Communications
404-656-3689

Initial Meeting of the Georgia Wine & Grape Commission

The newly formed Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes will hold its first meeting on Friday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the Atlanta Farmers Market in Forest Park. The meeting will be in the Administration Building of the Georgia State Farmers Market (enter from the market side). The address for the meeting is 16 Forest Parkway, Forest Park, 30297. 

The purpose of the meeting is to elect a chair and vice-chair from the commission members appointed earlier this year by the Commodity Commission Ex Officio Committee. The meeting also has an agenda to discuss operations and guidelines of a Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission, as well as the marketing orders and assessments and how to implement them. 

The Georgia Wine and Grape Commission was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 2020 at the request of Georgia wine and grape producers.  

Social distancing guidelines and masks are encouraged.

For more information, please contact:

Andy Harrison
Manager, Commodity Commissions
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov
(404) 710-1196

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 2, 2020
Office of Communications
404-656-3689

 

Commodity Commission for Wine & Grapes Accepting Nominations for Board Member Positions

ATLANTA, GA- Nominations are currently being accepted to fill five board positions of the newly created Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes.  Persons nominated must be active producers of wine and reside in the State of Georgia.   The deadline for submissions is Friday, November 27, 2020.

Those interested may submit a nominee information form found at agr.georgia.gov/cpf, to Andy Harrison at andy.harrison@agr.georgia.gov or by fax at 404-656-9380.  Forms may also be mailed at: 

The Georgia Department of Agriculture

Attn: Andy Harrison

19 MLK Jr. Drive S.W.

Room 320

Atlanta, GA 30334 

The nominees will be vetted and certified to ensure they are active Georgia producers of this commodity in the appropriate geographic areas. Interested producers with questions may contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at 404-586-1405. 

On August 3, 2020, Governor Brian Kemp amended the Georgia Agricultural Commodities Commissions Act by signing HB 1093 to establish an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Wine and Grapes.  Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commissions are created by the Georgia Legislature. Furthermore, a market order of each commission is passed by the growers of that respective commodity which allows for assessments on the commodity to be paid by each of the producers of such commodity. These funds are used for research, education and promotion of the commodity. Members of the commissions make decisions on how funds are spent and programs the commission supports.

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Media Contacts

Julie McPeake Chief Communication Officer

Governor Kemp signs SB 358 making the muscadine the official grape of Georgia. 

Every August, you can visit South Georgia and there will be a scent in the air that most familiarize with their southern childhood. It’s the smell of ripe muscadines growing in their native environment. You may find it surprising to know that Georgia leads the nation in its production of muscadines, and the University of Georgia also has the oldest muscadine breeding program in the United States.

Recognizing his district and the State of Georgia as a leader in muscadine production, State Senator Tyler Harper introduced SB 358 on February 3, 2020. The bill was signed by Governor Kemp on August 5, 2020 making the muscadine the official grape of Georgia effective January 1, 2021.

Muscadines are harvested in Georgia for wine and fresh fruit. Muscadine ingredients may be used as the primary ingredients in products such as functional foods, dietary supplements, super fruit products, ready to drink beverages, beverage powders, tablets and capsules, cosmetic and skin care products, natural antioxidant for stabilizing foods, natural food coloring, and jams and jellies.

Now is a great time to head to South Georgia and enjoy fresh Georgia muscadines.  Mark your calendar to attend the Georgia Muscadine Festival on September 4, 5 & 7^th at Paulk Vineyards in Wray, GA. Admission to the festival is free.  You can purchase fresh fruit, grape stomp, wine tastings, artisan market, food vendors, live music and more. For more information on the event, visit www.georgiamuscadinefestival.com.

If you are interested in learning more about muscadines, save the date for the Georgia Muscadine Conference to be held virtually on November 2 and hosted by the Georgia Wine Producers and the Georgia Muscadine Association, for more information on this event, visit www.georgiawineproducers.org. 

Photo Credit: @CodySassyJazzy on Instagram

New Dates: August 1 - 31, 2020, Yes that's right the entire month of August.

Important Change - Passports will be accepted during each property's regular business hours. Properties reserve the right to change those hours. You are encouraged to check the business hours of the property you plan to visit.
Passports are $50.00 - that gives you 4 tastings at each participating winery/tasting room & complimentary wine glass.

Passports will be available to purchase at the participating vineyards and wineries.

Wine glasses will be provided at the first property you visit, that property will punch out the glass on the passport. Each property can provide tastings based on their established safety protocols and are not required to use the souvenir glasses.

Participating Properties:
12 Spies Vineyards and Farms
Big Door Vineyards
Cartecay Vineyards
Cavender Creek Vineyards and Winery
CeNita Winery and Tasting Room
Chateau Meichtry
The Cottage Vineyard & Winery Inc.
Crane Creek Vineyards
Creekstone Winery
Currahee Vineyards
Twisted Wine Garden at Dahlonega Resort and Vineyard
Engelheim Vineyards
Etowah Meadery
Fainting Goat Vineyards
Habersham Winery
Hightower Creek Vineyards
Odom Springs Vineyards
Ott Farms and Vineyard
Serenity Cellars
Sharp Mountain Vineyards
Stonewall Creek Vineyards
Sweet Acre Farms Winery

Yonah Mountain Vineyards

**Tiger Mountain Vineyards has chosen not to participate this year. They will not be honoring passports are their location.

Tasting Rooms:

You may visit the following tasting rooms, and use your passports instead of visiting the winery/vineyard. The tasting will punch your passport for the winery/vineyard associated with the tasting room. 

Naturally Georgia - Engelheim Vineyards
Naturally Georgia - Crane Creek Vineayrds
Wild Berry Grill & Gifts - Cartecay Vineyards
Cartecay Wine & Craft - Cartecay Vineyards
Dahlonega Tasting Room - Habersham Winery
Dahlonega Tasting Room - Etowah Meadery
Helen Wine Co - Sweet Acre Farms 

We were saddened to hear the news at our Annual Meeting that Dr. Cain Hickey would be leaving UGA.

It may be some time before the viticulture position will be filled again. In the interim, Georgia Wine Producers will be working closely with UGA Extension to continue to meet the viticulture needs of our industry. 

Georgia Wine Producers is doing everything that we can to ensure that the viticulture position will be filled as quickly as possible with the best candidate to support our industry. 

Currently, we need as many of you as possible to provide us with a letter in support of filling the viticulture faculty position. Below you will find a link to a word document, you can copy/paste sample language and print on your letterhead. Please scan or take a picture and email the letter to director@georgiawineproducers.org. 

Click Here to View the Support Letter

There were over sixty-five judges, representing various North American wine regions, evaluating nearly 6,700 wines from over 1,000 wineries for the 2020 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Seven Georgia wineries were awarded medals at the competition this year.

Farmers Daughter Vineyard, Winery and Tasting Room located in Thomasville, Georgia was awarded Best in Class medal for wine, namely, Hellraiser, a delicious Blanc Du Bois. The wine continues to be awarded at local and international competitions across the country. They also won a Silver medal for their 2018 Saltwater Gypsy, a blush/rose.

Chateau Elan Winery and Resort located in Braselton, Georgia won gold medals for two of their reserve wines, the 2018 Chardonnay and 2018 Sauvignon Blanc. They also received five silver medals and two bronze medals. 

Frogtown Cellars located in Dahlonega, Georgia won a double gold for their 2014 Merger. They were also awarded gold medals for their 2018 Marsanne and 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, along with three silver medals and two bronze medals. 

Yonah Mountain Vineyards located in Cleveland, Georgia received a gold medal for their 2017 Pinot Noir.  They also received seven silver medals and four bronze medals. 

Paradise Hills Winery, Resort and Spa located in Blairsville, Georgia submitted three wines to the competition received a silver and two bronze medals. 

Crane Creek Vineyards located in Young Harris, Georgia also received a silver and two bronze medals. 

Wolf Mountain Vineyards & Winery in Dahlonega, GA received three silver and two bronze medals. 

Congratulations to these Georgia wineries on winning medals at such a prestigious and competitive event. These wineries continue to raise the bar on the quality of wines produced here in Georgia. 

Grapes. Growth. Georgia.

The voting membership, including the Board of Directors, shall have their Annual Membership Meeting for the transaction of business on February 3, 2020 at 1:00pm at Chateau Elan Winery and Resort, 100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton, GA 30517.  Currently Accepting Nominations for the following Positions: Bonded Georgia Farm Winery Member from the North Region Bonded Georgia Farm Winery Member for the South Region At Large 1  At Large 2 At large voting members can be any combination of Bonded Georgia Farm Winery member(s) and, or Vineyard and, or Orchard member(s), from any region of the state.  Membership dues must be paid and current to be considered for a Board of Directors position.  Click Here to view the Georgia Wine Producers By Laws and a Regional Map If you wish to appoint a proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting, click here for a Voting Proxy Form. NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO DIRECTOR@GEORGIAWINEPRODUCERS.ORG Please include Name, Business Name, and Contact Information.

I have been a passionate and dedicated winemaker for more than two decades, and have been growing grapes and making wine on the East Coast for the last 16 years, most recently at Kaya Vineyards & Winery near Dahlonega. I am now a freelance consultant, ready to help new and existing wine businesses in Georgia.

My adventure into winemaking was a long time coming. When I was a 17 year old high school student in a Chicago suburb, I woke up one day and decided my life needed a drastic change. I moved to Israel, joined a collaborative farming community, and by the time I was 23, a colleague talked me into planting an almond orchard. I was young and naive, and I had no farming experience, but I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life to agricultural work. I quickly learned what it takes, and that led to planting and growing avocados, persimmons, and olives. 

In 1996, a neighbor suggested I plant wine grapes and sell the fruit to a commercial winery. In order to understand the product better (I preferred beer at the time), I enrolled in a year long, immersive, hands-on winemaking course. I ended up with two cases of my first wine, a newfound fervor, and a lot more questions. I was enamored with wine, and so continued my deep dive into all things enology and viticulture. The next step was to open a very small winery, which was well received thanks to a renaissance of winemaking in Israel. There are now well over 300 wineries in Israel, a country the size of Delaware (which, by contrast, has only 5 wineries!).

In 2003 my family and I moved back to the States, and I spent the next three years making wine in New Jersey at a winery founded in 1864, and establishing my winemaking and wine testing consulting business. A chance encounter and the internet led to Dahlonega, where I became winemaker and vineyard manager at BlackStock Vineyards and Winery, beginning in 2006. That rollercoaster included the frost of 2007, which was immediately followed by the outstanding 2008 vintage. Unfortunately, that was also the start of the recession that led to the eventual dissolution of BlackStock in late 2012.

After BlackStock, I restarted the consulting business and was recruited by the bank that had foreclosed on the property to care for the vineyards. Two years later, the new owner came along and renamed it Kaya Vineyard & Winery, and I have been head winemaker and vineyard manager at Kaya for the last five years. Now it’s time for another change.

Georgia has been experiencing an explosion in vineyards being planted. Fortunately for our local industry, UGA had the foresight to hire a state viticulturist, Dr. Cain Hickey, who specializes in pruning, trellising, and fruit-zone management. Dr. Hickey and I have worked together since his arrival in Georgia, applying state of the art techniques to improve crop yields and quality. Planting and maintaining a vineyard is a lot of work, considerably more than some people imagine. With more than a decade of North Georgia harvest seasons under my belt, I am well experienced in the theory, and especially the practice of successfully growing grapes in our region. This means that I have already made most of the mistakes, and therefore have a better idea of how to do it right.

Growing the grapes, or knowing where to source them, is the agricultural aspect of the business. Planning and building a winery is an equal, if not greater challenge, and getting the right equipment at the right price is just the beginning. Learning and developing the methods and protocols of winemaking is something that I have been doing successfully for quite some time, and part of the expertise I offer to the nascent winery or vineyard.  Personally, I enjoy the perfect blend between science and art behind winemaking, and have paid particular attention to laboratory analysis, as well as wine theory and history, flavors, varieties, and culture.

I am excited and energized to meet new people getting their start in the business. If you are starting a winery or planting a vineyard, or even just thinking about doing those things, I want to help you build, grow and reach your full winemaking potential.

Ariel Padawer
Ariel Wine Consulting LLC
706-969-1733
arielpadawer@gmail.com