7150 Canaan Dr, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546
We stopped by Hightower Creek after a day at the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival in early June, and were concerned we’d not be able to enjoy a tasting as it was near closing time. To our surprise, delight, and appreciation, we were warmly welcomed in and invited to try their wines and explore the tasting room. Hightower is set on beautiful grounds, and the Sunday when we were there was also one of their Trivia Days, which we had missed, but plan to join one Sunday this summer. We got to meet Emily who was pouring wine from behind the bar, leading us on our tasting, and with whom we engaged in clever, fun, refreshing conversation too. Hightower has a nice selection of merchandise and gifts, and host special theme night in addition to trivia. See the image below for their 2025 upcoming events! We LOVE that they host and show original works of art, that are for sale, by local artists. Many of Hightower’s wines are award winning, no surprise, and we left with a bottle. Here is our review of the Dry wines we tasted:
Trillium (2022) – Blend of three white grapes (Vidal, Seyval, Vignoles), aged for a year in French oak, nice acidity and smooth finish
Chatuga White – Fermented in stainless steel, tart but pleasant and crispy with a good punch of fruit and flowers, serve very chilled on a hot day
Blushing Fox – semi-dry rosé of Catawba grapes, a bit of funk on the nose and.a fruit foward finish
Deliverance (2021) – a big red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Norton, aged for two years in French and American oak, lots of cooked fruit and spices on the nose and palate
Chatuga Red – a gentle blend of Chambourcin and Sangiovese that can be served chilled and features bright fruity notes
Add-ons:
Side Eye Rosé – a tribute to the fabulous bartender, Emily. It’s a light rosê with a slightly sweeter finish
Cynthiana and the Bandit – this is Norton wine aged in bourbon barrels for a few months, something we’re seeing more of lately at different wineries. The time in these barrels seems to smooth out the tannins while retaining the brightness of the fruit.
Remember to tip North Georgia wineries 15-20% of the tab and be sure to tell the fine team at Hightower that you read about them on NorthGeorgiaCulture.com.
