Yonah Mountain Vineyards
A 20-acre estate vineyard with cave tours, a daily tasting room and weekend events
The short answer
Why Yonah Mountain Vineyards is worth the extra miles
Most Helen-area tastings happen in a village or beside a road. Yonah Mountain Vineyards is a proper estate: about 20 planted acres of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, on land the Millers bought as nearly 200 acres of former farmland in 2005. The estate's wines include an estate rosé, a Petit Manseng, a Riesling and a Vidal ice wine, according to the winery's own site.
The draw beyond the glass is the tour. The winery runs cave and barrel-room tours on weekends, and the tasting room has a food truck on weekends and regular evening events, so this is the stop to build an afternoon around rather than a quick sip.
Hours
The tasting room keeps longer hours Thursday through Sunday. Food trucks set up on weekends; the winery posts the schedule.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | 12 PM to 6 PM |
| Thursday and Friday | 12 PM to 7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 11 AM to 7:30 PM |
| Sunday | 12:30 PM to 7:30 PM |
Tastings and tours
Prices below are from the winery's tastings page. Tour and Reserve Tasting tickets are sold online, and the winery says advance tickets are required for both cave tours.
| Experience | Cost | What you get | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine flight | $35 (two for $60) | Four 2-ounce samples (red, white, mixed or off-dry) and a Riedel glass to keep. Free for Yonah At Home members. | During tasting room hours |
| Private guided tasting | $80 per person | Six wines with a charcuterie board, about 90 minutes, up to 8 guests. Reservation only. | By appointment, Monday to Friday |
| Reserve Wine Tasting | Ticketed online | A seated 90-minute tasting with a charcuterie pairing, comparing Yonah wines to well-known bottles. | Second Sunday of each month |
| Owners' Winery Select cave tour | Ticketed online | About 1.5 hours, six wines (some exclusive), a Riedel glass and a chocolate pairing in the Reserve Wine Room. | Saturdays at 2 PM |
| Taste & Tour | Ticketed online | A one-hour tour of the vineyard, winery and barrel room with a five-wine tasting and an etched Riedel glass. | Sundays and select Fridays at 2 PM |
The cave tours page and the Reserve Tasting booking page show open dates and current prices. Wine substitutions aren't allowed on flights.
Events and the wine club
Thursday trivia, live music and music bingo are on the winery's calendar through December 2026, and Crush Fest is set to return on August 28, 2027. The Yonah At Home wine club has two levels: Grand Cru (six bottles a shipment, 30 percent off wine, food and merchandise) and Premier Cru (three bottles, 20 percent off), each with four shipments a year. The winery also hosts weddings and private events.
Getting there, and a plan for the day
From downtown Helen it's about 10 miles and 20 minutes by road. Call 706-878-5522 if you're bringing a big group. The winery's area dining page lists nearby restaurants if you want a meal around your tasting. Georgia's drinking age is 21, so choose a designated driver; the visitors bureau lists wine-tour services that can do the driving.
Mount Yonah rises above the valley nearby (about 3,165 feet by USGS figures), and the Mount Yonah trail guide covers the hike. Pair the winery with Creekstone and Habersham, or follow the wine trail guide.
Questions answered
How much is a tasting at Yonah Mountain Vineyards?
A wine flight is $35, or two for $60, and includes a Riedel glass. Private guided tastings are $80 per person by appointment. Cave tours and the monthly Reserve Wine Tasting are ticketed online.
Do I need a reservation?
Not for a standard flight in the tasting room. Private tastings, cave tours and Reserve Tasting events require advance booking.
What are the winery's hours?
Monday to Wednesday noon to 6 PM, Thursday and Friday noon to 7:30 PM, Saturday 11 AM to 7:30 PM and Sunday 12:30 to 7:30 PM.
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