There is something quietly magical about a vineyard in winter. Most people think of wine country as a summer and fall affair, with lush green canopies, clusters of ripening grapes, and the sweet smell of harvest in the air. But if you really want to understand a vineyard, come in winter. Come when the vines are sleeping.
That is exactly what we invited our viewers to do in the very first episode of Doghobble Television, our new YouTube series dedicated to sharing the story of Doghobble Wine Farm right here in Dahlonega, Georgia. My wife Robin and I started this farm because we believe deeply in this land, in these grapes, and in the wines that this remarkable corner of the world is capable of producing. And we wanted to take you along for the journey, season by season, vine by vine.
The Sleeping Vines
Right now, our vines are resting. They are storing up energy, sugar, proteins and nutrients, quietly gathering everything they need for the explosive growth that the coming months will bring. The canopies that will eventually cover the entire trellis system are bare right now, which means you can actually walk through the rows and see everything clearly. In summer, the growth is so thick you cannot stand where you stand in winter. That kind of access makes this the perfect season to visit and truly see how a vineyard works.
This time of year, our focus is entirely on pruning. Pruning sounds simple, and in one sense it is, because the vines are fully accessible and you can see every cordon, every growth pattern, every branch that needs attention. But do not let that accessibility fool you into thinking it is not an art. The more thoughtfully you prune, the healthier the vine grows. The healthier the vine, the better the grapes. The better the grapes, the more beautiful the wine. That connection from careful human hands in January to a glass of wine the following year is one of the things that makes farming so deeply satisfying.
Meet Norton, Our Queen Vine
While we grow several varietals here at Doghobble, this season we are shining a spotlight on Norton, and for very good reason. Norton is our queen vine. It is a grape that has been cultivated to grow in this region, and it belongs here as naturally as a magnolia tree or a Georgia pine. Mother Nature gave this vine her blessing a long time ago.
What makes Norton so special for the Dahlonega Plateau? It is cold hardy, heat resistant, humidity resistant and disease resistant. In a region where summers are hot and humid and winters can be unpredictable, those qualities are not just nice to have, they are everything. Norton is a sustainable vine in the truest sense of the word, thriving in conditions that would stress many European varietals.
If the United States had its own Cabernet Sauvignon, it would be Norton. Think about what you love in a big red wine: full body, complex characteristics, deep fruit, strength and power. Norton delivers all of that. And it gives winemakers tremendous creative freedom. You can let it stand alone as a single varietal and it will command the room. Or you can blend it with other wines from the region and create something entirely unique, an expression of the winemaker’s artistry that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Come Visit Us This Winter
One of the most genuine invitations we can extend to wine lovers is this: do not wait until summer to visit. Come now. Walk the rows with us. See the caliper of these young vines. Watch the pruning process firsthand and understand what goes into preparing a vine for a full season of growth. Then come back in summer and you will be genuinely astonished to see how the same bare, accessible rows have transformed into a dense, beautiful canopy that stretches across the entire trellis system, with grape bunches hanging underneath, so hidden by the thick foliage that even the birds cannot find them all. That is one of Norton’s natural gifts.
The Tasting Room Awaits
After walking the vineyard, we head up to our tasting room, which is set up specifically to give guests a real wine tasting experience. Gather around the fireplace and taste your way through Norton, Chambourcin, Lenoir, Traminette and the other wines we are growing here on the farm. Our Norton bottle, with its beautiful orange and red label, has quickly become a favorite among our customers, and once you taste it, you will understand why.
Farming wine is ultimately about one long, patient cycle: cultivating, curating, pruning, nurturing, harvesting and then crafting something beautiful from everything the land has given you. That is what Robin and I are doing here every single day on the Dahlonega Plateau, and we could not be more honored to share it with you.
