First Solar Powered North Georgia Vineyard

One step closer to sustainable! Georgia vineyard goes solar.

Persimmon Creek Vineyards officially launched solar power efforts today at its winery in Rabun County, Georgia. Co-owners Mary Ann and William “Sonny” Hardman partnered with Atlanta-based Radiance Solar to install an eight-kilowatt solar system on the roof of the winery, trapping energy from the sunlight and converting it into a usable form to power the vineyard’s many functions.

The system is comprised of 36 photovoltaic SunPower panels, the most efficient solar panels in the world, and is expected to offset roughly 11,200 kilowatt-hours per year and approximately 50 percent of the facility's energy needs with clean, renewable power for the vineyard. Persimmon Creek is the first Georgia vineyard to make an investment in solar energy, and one of very few in the Southeast to incorporate renewable energy into a vineyard’s operations. This distinction demonstrates the Hardman’s commitment to setting the bar for wine making in Georgia and proving that renewable energy is a viable alternative for Georgia residents and businesses.

Persimmon Creek Vineyards is a boutique, family-owned winery located on 110 acres of rolling farmland at 2,100 feet elevation in Clayton, Georgia. Wines, including Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Seyval Blanc, are produced on premise from 100% estate grown grapes, with many processes – picking, crushing, bottling, corking and labeling – done by hand.

Persimmon Creek Wines are served in more than 25 leading restaurants and hotels in Atlanta and the southeast including Bacchanalia, Restaurant Eugene, The Cloister at Sea Island, Bluepointe, Chops Lobster Bar, St. Regis, Woodfire Grill and many more. The wines are available for retail purchase at Sherlock’s Wine Merchants and Whole Foods Markets. Private tastings, educational tours and custom luncheons at the vineyard are available by appointment only. The Cottages at Persimmon Creek Vineyards provide an elegant, relaxing retreat for guests looking to enjoy an extended visit.

More information on the winery is available at theirweb site.

About Radiance Solar:
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Radiance Solar designs, develops and installs turnkey solar energy systems that help commercial and residential customers save money while reducing their environmental footprint. Radiance is a triple bottom-line company: people, planet, profits. Their focus is on providing outstanding customer service and helping customers determine what they need to do to save money, reduce their environmental impact and help America become energy independent.

Biking is Big in Dahlonega

The North Georgia mountains around Dahlonega have been a long time favorite of tourists who want to enjoy beautiful mountains. In the past several years the area has also become a favorite among road and mountain bicyclists.

Over the last six and a half years we have been open as a bed and breakfast inn we have seen first hand the popularity of these beautiful mountains with bicycle riders. Often we see them slowly climbing up the mountain in front of the inn on US 19.

Lately there have been cyclocross races scheduled at Montaluce Vineyards. The next one scheduled is 10/18/2009 at Montaluce. Cyclocross bikes are a cross between a road and mountain bike. The races typically require riders to complete a course with off and on road as well as areas where the rider gets off the bike and carries it. It can be exciting to watch.

We also have seen a resurgence in interest in the mountain biking scene. Nimblewheel gap is a favorite. The Fools Gold 100 and 50 mile mountain bike races were held this summer.

This weekend we have the 6 Gap Century ride across the mountains. Many riders participate in the event.

In past years we have also been host to a leg of the Tour de Georgia road bike race. Lance Armstrong has ridden in front of the inn a couple of times. The race was cancelled this year due to funding but is scheduled to return in 2010. Many of our guests return every year for the event. The downtown finish line area is always festive and exiting.

There is a new web site that covers biking in the North Georgia mountains in the Dahlonega area. Upcoming races and rides are also featured. Visit Dahlonega Cycling for more information.

Cedar House Inn and Yurts Video

A new video of our inn has been created by good friend and photographer Gary Zahora. Gary is the person responsible for the beautiful pictures on our web site as well. We appreciate the work Gary did on the video and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Heritage Days Festival September 19,20th

Dahlonega, Georgia, home of the first American Gold Rush, is preparing for the 175th birthday celebration in September, 2009.

Festivities will include a farmers market, antique vendors, period costumes, event re-enactments, gold mining demonstrations, and a birthday party in Hancock Park on September 19th & 20th, 2009.

Dahlonega is home to the Dahlonega Gold Museum, which is the second most visited State Park in Georgia. In 1833, when Dahlonega was first becoming an official city in North Georgia, women were not allowed in the Courthouse, and judges were few and far between. A traveling judge would come to town twice a year, and "Court Week" would begin. Prisoners were marched from the jail to the Square, and the men who had business within the courthouse would take to their tasks, leaving the women to be occupied with purchasing vegetables, fabrics, and other goods, and to be entertained by medicine shows and visits with far away family and friends. It was a very eventful and bustling time on the Square, as people traveled from all over North Georgia to join in the festivities, and take care of business "in town."

Heritage Days is planned to be a way for visitors and locals alike to step back in time and enjoy the entertainment and goods of the original settlers.

Festival organizers include the Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, the Dahlonega Merchants' Association, the Dahlonega Downtown Development Authority, the Dahlonega Gold Museum, the Lumpkin County Historical Society and more.

Corn Maze's Near Dahlonega

Fall is just around the corner in the North Georgia mountains. Come stay with us and attend one of the nearby corn maze's.

Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze

Fall fun officially started Labor Day Weekend for Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch. Visit the 12-acre corn maze located in Dawsonville, Ga this fall for some southern fun. More than 40,000 visitors are expected to crisscross through the cornstalks this year.

Rates for Activities Per Person*
Corn Maze $9
Hayride (nights: includes bonfire & marshmallows!) $5
Value Combo: Corn Maze & Hayride $12
Corn Cannon (3 shots) $1
Haunted Maze (includes Corn Maze) $12
Value Combo: Haunted Maze & Hayride $15

September:

Open Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October:

Sundays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Haunted Maze starts at Dark, last ticket sold at 10 p.m.
Haunted Maze is only open on:
Oct. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31
Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent.

November 1 through 22th
Fridays, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit www.uncleshucks.com for more details.

Hillbilly Cornmaze

OPEN SEPTEMBER 14 - NOVEMBER 16

GENERAL ADMISSION HOURS
Open Friday:6 - 10pm Saturday:10am - 10pm Sunday:10am- 6pm
ADMISSION $10.00

From Atlanta go North on 19/400 to
Dahlonega. At stop light (just past
McDonalds) go left on truck route
South/West US9/US52 to
Dawsonville/Elljay. 1.5 miles
on the right across from Trammel Tire

HAUNTED CORN FIELD
OPEN Friday and Saturday
9 - 12 midnight
in October

274 Radio Road
Dahlonega, Georgia
706-867-0940 Fax 706-867-0087
email: info@hillbillycornmaze.com
WWW.HILLBILLYCORNMAZE.COM