More regional wineries and breweries are opening to meet strong demand for locally made alcohol.
The Southern states, in particular, have become hotbeds of success for new wineries and craft breweries. Sample some of these more popular alcohol destinations during your next road trip — wherever in the South you may be.
Georgia
- Tiger Mountain Vineyards — Tiger
There is plenty to see, do and drink in the North Georgia mountains. Tiger Mountain Vineyards received recognition by multiple California competitions for its 2013 Petit Manseng white wine, which also received "two thumbs way up" from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Tasting room hours: 1-6 p.m. Sunday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
- Creature Comforts Brewing Co. — Athens
Atlanta-area residents may already frequent this craft brew destination about an hour's drive away. They keep coming back for the Creature Comforts Brewing Co. limited-time rotations and signature beers, especially the Athena berliner weisse and Tropicália American IPA.
Tasting room hours: 5-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday, 1-6 p.m. Saturday.
- The Cottage Vineyard & Winery — Cleveland
Another North Georgia winery at the heel of the Chattanooga National Forest, The Cottage Vineyard & Winery extends its hours and hosts live music each Saturday this summer while tasting room patrons sample the most popular offerings.
Tasting room hours: noon-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-6 p.m. Sunday.
- Service Brewing Co. — Savannah
Drink beer and feel good about doing so at Service Brewing Co., a relatively new craft brewery owned and operated by military veterans. A portion of proceeds earned during weekend tastings and tours goes toward military charities.
Tasting room hours: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2-4 p.m. Saturday.
Gulf Coast
- Three Oaks Winery — Vernon, Fla.
On the way to Panama City Beach, Destin or Pensacola, stop this quaint but charming Florida winery. Tour the vineyard and buy a keepsake at the gift shop to go with a light, fruity wine bottle from Three Oaks Winery.
Tasting room hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday.
- Cigar City Brewing — Tampa, Fla.
Not to be confused with its brewpub immediately north, Cigar City Brewing has up to two dozen beers tapped at any given time, including signatures Jai Alai IPA and Florida Cracker, a Belgian-style white ale. This is also a great stop on the way to or from the Tampa International Airport.
Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
- Florida Orange Groves Winery — St. Petersburg, Fla.
This long-time family winery specializes in tropical fruit wines. Florida Orange Groves Winery medaled three times at the 2015 Indy International Wine Competition, including gold for its red raspberry sparkling fruit wine.
Tasting room hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
- 7venth Sun Brewing — Dunedin, Fla.
Barely open four years, 7venth Sun Brewing has already become a popular bay-area beer hub. The 2015 Best Florida Beer Championships named the Time Bomb session beer the state's best light hybrid beer, one of four gold medals the brewery earned from that competition.
Tasting room hours: noon-midnight Monday-Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday.
Atlantic Coast
- Victoria Valley Vineyards — Cleveland, S.C.
En route to Asheville, N.C., or the Great Smoky Mountains, stop by Victoria Valley Vineyards for a tour, a tasting and lunch. Victoria Valley specializes in Vinifera wines produced on-site at the 47-acre vineyard.
Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday and Thursday., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
- Westbrook Brewing Co. — Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Just outside Charleston is Westbrook Brewing Co., where there is no shortage of specialty beers. Different ingredients are used to make their unique beers, which include Orange Bliss, Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Tripel and Mexican Cake.
Tasting room hours: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday.
- Deep Water Vineyard and Firefly Distillery — Wadmalaw Island, S.C.
The former Irvin House Vineyard was sold by the owners so they could focus on Firefly Distillery, a sweet tea vodka maker that has gained national prominence. The winery lives on as Deep Water Vineyard, which still hosts self-guided tours and tastings on a regular basis.
Tasting room hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (Deep Water Vineyard), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. (Firefly Distillery).
- Bold City Brewing — Jacksonville, Fla.
Track the 2016 release schedule to find out when Bold City Brewing will release its next specialty beer. The East Coast brewery's taproom offers local favorites, such as the Killer Whale Cream Ale and the Mad Manatee IPA.
Tasting room hours: 3-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 1-11 p.m. Saturday.
Tennessee
- Terminal BrewHouse—Chattanooga, Tenn.
Order a beer sampler or one of the Terminal BrewHouse favorites, which include the White Shadow Belgian wit and Rock Out With Your Bock Out maibock beers. The brewpub is located in a historic Chattanooga building that was first erected in 1909.
Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.-midnight daily
- Beachaven Vineyards & Winery — Clarksville, Tenn.
Earning six medals at the 2015 Indy International Wine Competition, including double gold for its traminette white wine, Beachaven Vineyards & Winery has separated itself as one of Tennessee's best wine destinations.
Tasting room hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
- Yazoo Brewing Co. — Nashville, Tenn.
Limited releases and seasonal specials highlight the beer list at Yazoo Brewing Co., an established brewery near downtown Nashville. Tours are held twice a night Wednesday through Friday and every 30 minutes on Saturdays. Consider booking in advance.
Tasting room hours: 4-8 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 2-8 p.m. Friday, noon-6 p.m. Saturday.
- Arrington Vineyards — Arrington, Tenn.
A weekly series "Music in the Vines" gives guests one more excuse to visit Arrington Vineyards, a Tennessee wine getaway since 2007. Buy and drink wine on-site as part of a tasting or private picnic curated by the winery.
Tasting room hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. Sunday.
Alabama
- Back Forty Brewing — Gadsden, Ala.
Intent on making craft beer more relevant in the South, Back Forty Brewing incorporates an agricultural emphasis on all its beer — such as the Naked Pig Pale Ale — and food — including the bearded burger, a family-farmed, grass-fed patty topped with beer cheese, beer mustard, beer vinegar-soaked pickles and a spent grain bun.
Tasting room hours: 5-9 p.m. Thursday, 3-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
- Bryant Vineyard — Talladega, Ala.
The self-proclaimed oldest continually operating winery in Alabama, Bryant Vineyard sells an award-winning selection of muscadine wines. The intense flavors in the Dixie Gold and Dixie Blush can be enjoyed during complimentary wine tastings.
Tasting room hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
- Good People Brewing — Birmingham, Ala.
Conveniently located in downtown Birmingham, Good People Brewing has a taproom open daily and a growing clientele thanks to its popular selection. Beers include Snake Holder, a double IPA brew, and Bearded Lady, an American wheat ale.
Tasting room hours: 1-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 1 p.m.-midnight Thursday-Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday.
- Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery — Attalla, Ala.
Part of the North Alabama Wine Trail, Wills Creek Vineyards & Winery has more than 20 samples from which to choose as well as routine wine-making classes and supplies for wine enthusiasts to bring their passion home.
Tasting room hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.
