The Heart of Georgia's Wine Country Hosted America’s First Major Gold Rush

Tracing its roots back to the Native American word for yellow (taulonica), this small town holds a special place in the hearts of locals who take great pride in its unique history. Back in the 1540s, the Cherokee people, the dominant local Native American tribe in the region at the time, began panning for gold. The Spanish later joined them, and then the English, who, unfortunately, banished the Cherokee in the 1730s.

Today, Dahlonega is a northern Georgia town home to Georgia's wine country, thanks to the rich soil, which only adds to its fabulous landscape. This gives it a slightly elevated feeling, offering guests a taste of the fine life and a rustic country vibe. The many festivals, historic sites, and beautiful vineyards make Dahlonega the ideal place to visit for a holiday or vacation.

Heritage and Origins of this Small Town

Although its reputation for gold goes way back, it was not until 1828 that gold was rediscovered in Lumpkin County and ignited the first-ever gold rush in the United States. According to the story, a local huntsman named Benjerman Park overturned a large rock to discover a rich vein of gold within it, which immediately sparked national interest. Sadly, under the government's support, colonial miners could lay claim to the mines and push out the Cherokee once again in 1837, allowing Lumpkin County and Dahlonega to become extremely wealthy.

Astonishingly, the mines and gold rush led to the minting of $36 million worth of golden coins, and $6 million of this total was minted in Dahlonega. During the American Civil War, gold coins were used by the Confederacy, and today, the remaining gold coins are rare items that many people collect. As the 1800s rolled on, the gold veins began to “dry up,” and mining in the area became little more than a hobby, much as it is to this day.

Wine Country and the Plateau

In 2018, Dahlonega officially gained the honor of being named the heart of Georgia’s wine country. The Dahlonega Plateau was found to be ideal for viticulture (the cultivation of grapes.) This plateau region comprises a total of 344 square miles and stretches through Lumpkin, Cherokee, Dawson, White, and Pickens counties, but the grape growing areas only consist of approximately 133 square miles.

The majority of the land that is good for growing grapes lies in Lumpkin County, near Dahlonega and neighboring White County. The ground is rich, with all the right nutrients for growing grapes, and its location on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains makes the place ideal for visitors, especially during autumn when the leaves change colors. Not only are there several gorgeous wineries and vineyards just outside of the town, but the wine culture is also highly celebrated, with wine-tasting centers and festivals that honor the industry, which is important for the community.

Gold Rush Days Festival

Dahlonega celebrates its reputation as home of America’s first gold rush every October on the month’s third full weekend. In 2024, the festival took place from October 19th to the 20th, although enthusiasts can view a live countdown clock for the 2025 event on the festival’s official website. The festival is perfect for those with young children since they often have fun arts and crafts kids are sure to enjoy, but it is also a great event for adults and solo travelers.

There is a parade showcasing the skills of the community and celebrating what brings them all together. This parade usually includes local service members, public servants, police, firefighters, businesses, and non-profits. There are often mountain-themed contests and tests of strength, like a log-cutting contest, as well as excellent local food vendors. Folks can also enjoy panning for gold in a replica riverbed gold bed where they can sift through the silt and dirt with supplied tools and maybe uncover a nugget or two.

Arts and Wine Festival

The Arts and Wine Festival takes place every year during the third week of May. In 2025, the upcoming festival will take place on May 18th-19th and will feature amazing food, arts and crafts, music, and, of course, wine. Previous festivals, like the one held in 2023, featured notable jazz music that really helped set the mood for the day for anyone casually walking through the event.

Other music genres that permeated the festival in the past included blues, jazz, and salsa, meaning there is plenty of atmosphere. However, the event's main attraction is the wine and beer garden. This part of the celebration is located close to Hancock Park, and participants of the tasting get to take their commemorative wine glasses home with them to thank them for purchasing a ticket and supporting local businesses and the town’s fundraiser. Past local wine companies and growers who offered their delicious blends for tasting included Habersham Winery & Vineyards, Three Sisters Vineyard, and several others.

Three Sisters Vineyard

Although Dahlonega is not home to the oldest vineyard in Georgia, the surrounding areas of Lumpkin County house several beautiful vineyards, with the oldest and most notable being The Three Sisters Vineyard. This family-owned farm has been in operation since the early 2000s, although the partnership between Sharon and Doug Paul and their dream to build a local winery began in 1995. Since that day, and since their opening a few years later, the family has strived to create the perfect environment to produce high-quality wine and grapes for people to enjoy by hosting weddings, family events, and wine tastings.

Wolf Mountain Vineyards

Wolf Mountain Vineyards opened in 2003 after their first successful harvest in 2002. The stunning 30-acre vineyard was planted by hand by the Boegner Family. The family has worked together since they started planning the vineyard in 1999, with the founder, E. Karl Boegner, serving as the proprietor and winemaker for the family business. The mother, Linda Boegner, created and coordinated the wedding planning, while their children followed in their parent's footsteps, created the hospitality sector of the vineyard, and continued perfecting the winemaking craft.

In addition to hosting weddings in the extensive vineyards, the site also offers dining experiences, wine tasting, and tours of its vineyards. The dining area is top-notch, offering visitors delicious coffee, pastries, and exquisite lunches at the Vineyard Cafe. Those planning to visit around the holidays can indulge in the weekly Sunday Brunch every Sunday until the 22nd of December. Those who want to explore the versatile spaces in a single visit should book a tour of the magical spaces.

Must See Gold Mines

Ideally, before setting off to the mines of Dahlonega, drop by the visitor’s center in town. Here, visitors can get a hold of the Gold Fever Package, which allows people to access the many gold-themed attractions in town at a discounted price of $37.95 per person over 13 years of age and $32.95 for children 12 and under. This comes out to about a $5.00 discount per person for those over 13 and a $1.50 discount for those under 12.

With this handy pass, visitors can strike out to the Consolidated Gold Mine and the Crisson Gold Mine. The Consolidated Gold Mine is home to Dahlonega’s only underground gold mine tour and typically lasts around 45 minutes for the full tour experience. Visitors not only get to enjoy the mine itself but also go panning for gold and other precious and semi-precious stones. The Crisson Mine is similar, offering folks a chance to pan for gold and gemstones as well; however, it also has a tour of a still-in-operation stamp mill from over 100 years ago.

Gold Museum

Included with the Gold Fever Package is access to the Gold Museum. The Gold Museum sits within Lumpkin County’s original courthouse, which dates all the way back to 1836. The building continued to be in operation until 1965 and was later converted to its current state as the museum. The museum is also located in downtown Dahlonega, meaning it is the ideal place to visit for anyone hoping to spend a day about time shopping and dining at the town’s many attractions.

Closing Thoughts

In closing, Dahlonega is a fascinating and different type of experience when compared to most southern American towns. Not many communities have the bragging point of being the wine country of their state or being the site of the first major American gold rush. Those seeking an escape from a busy schedule and to dip their toes into the 1800s will really enjoy touring the mines and discovering the community's history at the museum and historic district. Or, take a trip out to the borders of the Blue Ridge Mountains and escape stress by sipping wine at one of the fine wineries or vineyards. Overall, Dahlonega has plenty for people who either want to be active all day or sit back and relax. Or a little bit of both for those who want to experience it all.