The Winegrowers Association of Georgia is sponsoring its third annual Wine Highway Weekend on Saturday, March 29th, and Sunday, March 30, 2008.

There will be a $20.00 fee for each participant, which will be collected at the first winery visited. Travelers will receive a “Wine Highway Weekend” collectors’ glass, which will give them admission to ALL participating wineries at no additional charge. Normal tasting fees will not be charged to anyone participating in traveling the Wine Highway.

Member wineries and Affiliate Members will each provide their own unique open-house format, with many offering food and wine pairings, music, barrel and library wine tastings, discounts, drawings and other special attractions.

Hours vary from location to location and travelers should check individual websites for current hours and directions.

THE WINEGROWERS ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA REMINDS EVERYONE TO DRINK RESPONSIBLY AND TO USE DESIGNATED DRIVERS WHILE TRAVELING THE WINE HIGHWAY. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR DESIGNATED DRIVERS TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY SPECIAL EVENTS.

Special attractions and discounts at Affiliate Member locations are available to travelers presenting their Wine Highway collectors’ glass and include:

The BEECHWOOD INN is offering a special dinner and lodging package featuring an evening with Southern Flair. The Saturday night event starts with live music by Mountain Hoodoo and a dinner with Charleston-Style Crab Cakes, Beechwood Country Salad, Smoked Pork Tenderloin with Vidalia Onion Gravy, Warm Cheddar Cheese Spoon Bread and Gayle’s Bread Pudding paired with Georgia wines. A limited number of “dinner only” reservations are available. Bring your “Wine Highway Weekend” collectors’ glass for a $10.00 discount off of lodging (Limit One Per Room.) BeechWoodInn.ws

BLACKSTOCK VINEYARDS AND WINERY will offer a complimentary 4-wine tasting to visitors with live jazz music and lunch fare on our 2,000 sq ft., deck. The lunch menu will feature beef brisket smoked on site, as well as a smoked chicken option. Deck seating will also feature discounted wine-by-the-glass to enjoy with the hot lunch and the cool jazz. bsvw.com/

BURTON GALLERY AND EMPORIUM celebrates the Third Annual Wine Highway Weekend with mountain vineyard oil paintings by Bill Davidson and David Horton, watercolor wine bottles filled with flowers by Dianne Isakson, and wine bottles by Cherry Cratty in her unique pulp painting style. The gallery will also feature a special sale on selected pottery. BurtonGallery.net/

HABERSHAM VINEYARDS & WINERY will feature a tasting of library wines no longer available to the public, which will be paired with light food selections. HabershamWinery.com

HICKORY FLAT POTTERY will offer free studio and kiln house tours with potters, Cindy Angliss and Tasha Autry. There will be demonstrating potters on the wheel both days as well as Hickory Flat Pottery wine chillers, wine glasses, olive oil jugs, dipping trays, brie bakers, Italian wine jugs and more for sale. HickoryFlatPottery.com

LILY CREEK LODGE invites travelers on the Wine Highway to spend the night with them and they will buy your first glass of wine! Guests will receive the purchase price of one Wine Highway Admission Glass for a one night one room reservation and two glasses for a two night stay. Note other specials at LilyCreekLodge.com

MOUNTAIN LAUREL CREEK INN & SPA offers travelers a 10% discount off of its Tuscan Wine Therapy products and services, including the Tuscan Wine Spa Facial (regularly $80) and the Wine Therapy Spa Basket (regularly $65) which includes a Mediterranean Wine and Honey Body & Face Masque, Chianti & Grape Seed Crush Scrub and Bacchus Body Oil. Call (706) 867-8134 to book a reservation. Gift certificates available. MountainLaurelCreek.com

NACOOCHEE GRILL will offer a 15% discount on both food and beverage purchases on both Saturday and Sunday. Nacoocheegrill.com

At SHARP MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS each customer will draw for wine, merchandise, or a loosing ticket. We will also offer gourmet food samples and complimentary winery tours. SharpMountainVineyards.com

THE STOVALL HOUSE will offer a 10% discount for lodging and dining during the Wine Highway Weekend. Dining is from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. by reservation. StovallHouse.com

TIGER MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS will feature wine tastings paired with cheeses from Georgia’s award winning Sweet Grass Dairies and bread from the Buckhead Bread Company. Join us on Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and enjoy live music by Kenny Tollison. TigerWine.com