Georgia Wine: Who'd have thunk it? | News

(WXIA) -- When a man of northern Georgia saw land that reminded him on Italy's wine country, he started his own winery.

Eric Seifarth got Crane Creek Vineyards up and running 17 years ago in Young Harris, Ga. Compared to most Georgia wineries, he feels Crane Creek is well aged.

"We're still in a frontier land for wine growing," Seifarth said.

He believes there is a desire that many people have to get into the wine business.

Seifarth said, "I think as soon as we get on the other side of this economic period we're in right now, there's going to be explosion!"

A few years ago, there were about a half-dozen wine makers in Georgia. Today, there are over 40.

Among them is Stonewall Creek Vineyards, owned by former surgeon Carl Fackler and his wife, Carla. He believes these growing conditions in our state's mountains resemble some of the best wine country in France.

"There's no reason why we can't make as good of wine as they can in other parts of the United States, or in any other part of the world," Fackler said.

People at the Marietta Wine market say Georgia wine is already among the best. They sell more than 300 cases of wine instate per year.

These folks also believe that good Georgia wine has a secret worth keeping.