Highroads Tasting Room

Sip the Mountains

Discover Georgia's Finest Meads, Wines, Beers & Ciders. Immerse yourself in the Highroads difference with a perfect blend of art, music, and flavor. Join us for exclusive tastings and events, showcasing a curated selection of local and international wines alongside award-winning meads crafted in Canon, Georgia.

About Highroads Tasting Room

From Wild Goose to Highroads

Lynda Ann and I first met at the Wild Goose Festival—a progressive Christian music, arts, and culture gathering—in Hot Springs, North Carolina, along the French Broad River. It was July 11, 2019, a warm Thursday evening, and I was leading the hospitality tent for the festival’s main stage.

When I found out my first volunteer was already working in the equipment tent, I hurried over. Pushing through the flaps, I saw her for the first time, and everything changed. Lynda Ann, as I quickly learned her name, was already hard at work, but I wasn’t ready for the impact she’d have on my life. To this day, every time she walks into a room, she still takes my breath away.

Inspired by Faith, Friends, and Family

In November 2023, while walking down Main Street in Clayton, Georgia, we noticed Barbara and Jabe’s old wine shop was still closed. The pandemic had shifted their focus—Barbara returned to teaching, and Jabe dedicated himself to wine- and mead-making. After some conversations, holiday meetings, and prayerful consideration, we felt the tug to take a leap of faith.

By March 1, 2024, we had quit our jobs, moved by March 8, and opened Highroads Tasting Room on March 16. With the support of dear friends in San Antonio and North Georgia, as well as countless heartfelt talks with God, each other, and our loved ones, we stepped into this new adventure on Main Street, right in the heart of the mountains.

A Place Rooted in Purpose

Highroads Tasting Room is more than a business—it’s a dream born of love, faith, and a desire to build community. Located on the Southern Highroads Scenic Trail in Clayton, Georgia, we embrace the spirit of connection, warmth, and hospitality.

Whether you’re here to sample local wines, enjoy a quiet moment, or celebrate life’s milestones, we’re honored to be part of your story. Highroads isn’t just where we landed—it’s where we belong, and we’re so glad to share this journey with you.

Southern Highroads Scenic Trail

Highroads Tasting Room is named after the Southern Highroads Scenic Trail, a 364-mile drive through the rolling mountains, rushing rivers, and tranquil wilderness. No matter where you come from, you’re welcome here: The mountains are calling.

Highroads Tasting Room - Clayton, GA - Highroads Tasting Room

Highroads Menu

Snacks

Pretzel Crisps 1 oz. – $1.50
Mama Hen’s Pretzels – $10
Zorro Pecans Maple Glazed 8 oz. – $15

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Recess Zero Proof Mock-tails 12 oz can – $7
- Ginger Lime Mule, Grapefruit Paloma, Watermelon Mojito, Lime Margarita
Coke & Coke Zero 16.9 oz. – $3
Perrier Sparkling Water 16.9 oz. – $3
Topo Chico Sparkling Water 12 oz. – $3
- Lime, Tangerine, Blueberry
Sparkling Water 16.9 oz – $2.50
Bottled Water 16.9 oz – $1.50
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass N/A (IPA & Golden) – $3
Best Day Brewing N/A (Kolsch, IPA, Hazy IPA) – $3

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Recess Zero Proof Mock-tails 12 oz can – $7
- Ginger Lime Mule, Grapefruit Paloma, Watermelon Mojito, Lime Margarita
Coke & Coke Zero 16.9 oz. – $3
Perrier Sparkling Water 16.9 oz. – $3
Topo Chico Sparkling Water 12 oz. – $3
- Lime, Tangerine, Blueberry
Sparkling Water 16.9 oz – $2.50
Bottled Water 16.9 oz – $1.50
Sierra Nevada Trail Pass N/A (IPA & Golden) – $3
Best Day Brewing N/A (Kolsch, IPA, Hazy IPA) – $3

Flights

Mead Flight of Four – $20
- Choose four meads – 2 oz pours from our selection of local meads.
Mead Flight of Eight – $30
- Choose eight meads – 2 oz pours from eight of our local meads.
Winemaker’s Select – $24
- Four 2-oz pours from choice of our winemaker’s local wines:
  - Dry Apple Wine
  - Traminette
  - Sangiovese
  - Tellico Tuscan Red Blend
  - Chambourcin
Flight of White Wine – $22
- Rotating wines every week (subject to change).
- Example Week:
  - White Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)
  - Dry Apple Wine (GA/NC)
  - Chardonnay (Alto Adige, Italy)
  - Garnacha Blanca (Spain)
Flight of Red Wine – $22
- Rotating wines every week (subject to change).
- Example Week:
  - Tempranillo Blend (Paso Robles, CA)
  - Sangiovese (GA/NC)
  - Pinot Noir (OR)
  - Cabernet Blend (WA)

Mead

$12 glass / $38 bottle
Taster – 1 oz. / Glass – 6 oz / Bottle – approx 24 oz

All meads are produced in Canon, Georgia at Southern Origin Meadery.

Dry

The Culler – Traditional mead with floral notes made with cotton blossom honey.
Scout – Melomel with rich berries and tart earthy notes, pleasantly dry and clean on the finish.
Apple Cyser – Melomel with local apples from the mountains of North Carolina
Pear Cyser – Melomel with local apple cyser layered with tart sweet pears

Semi-Sweet

Hibiscus – Award-winning metheglin with tart flavors and orange blossom honey.
Wildflower – The original mead.
Chai Mead – Bochet-style metheglin with smooth notes of caramel, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Cherry Berry – Melomel with sour cherry and blackberries, finished with a zesty zing of ginger.

Sweet

Black Current – Melomel with the sweetness of Tupelo honey and a tart finish.
The Peach – Melomel with fresh Georgia peaches and local honey.
Stinger Brandy – Fortified mead with an intense infusion of peach, best taken in small doses. (ABV 17%)
Apple Cinnamon Brandy – Fortified melomel with an intense infusion of cinnamon spice on top of a tart apple cyser (ABV 20%) – perfect warmed up as a toddy or mulled cider

Types of Mead
mead – honey fermented
melomel – honey fermented with fruit
pyment – honey fermented with grapes or grape wine
metheglin – honey. fermented with herbs and spices
cyser – honey fermented with apples
bochet – honey fermented and caramelized

Mead

$13 glass / $38 bottle

All meads are produced in Canon, Georgia at Southern Origin Meadery.

Dry

Pollinator Peach – Traditional mead with peach infused in fermentation, like biting into a fresh peach.
The Culler – Traditional mead with floral notes made with cotton blossom honey.
Scout – Melomel with rich berries and tart earthy notes, pleasantly dry and clean on the finish.

Semi-Sweet

Hibiscus – Award-winning metheglin with tart flavors and orange blossom honey.
Wildflower – The original mead.
Chai Mead – Bochet-style metheglin with smooth notes of caramel, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Cherry Berry – Melomel with sour cherry and blackberries, finished with a zesty zing of ginger.

Sweet

Black Current – Melomel with the sweetness of Tupelo honey and a tart finish.
The Peach (Temporarily unavailable) – Melomel with fresh Georgia peaches and local honey.
Stinger – Fortified mead with an intense infusion of peach, best taken in small doses.

Specialty Drinks & Ciders

Mead Bellini – $10
- Monthly Featured Mead 3 oz + Prosecco 3 oz
Wine Sangria Slushies – $10
- Golden – White wine and/or mead, white grape juice, at least 13% residual sugar.
- Dark Berry – Red wine and/or mead, grape juice, cranberry juice, at least 13% residual sugar.

Hard Ciders

Hard Cider – $3 per can to-go / $5 for cold in-house pour
- Apple Cider Mule (Sycamore)
- Apple Pie Crumble (Bold Rock)
- Pear (Atomic Dog)
- Blackberry (Bold Rock)
- Blackberry Non-Alcoholic Cider (Original Sin)
- Peach (Wolffer Estates) – $5

Beer List

On Tap (Four at a Time)

Lazy Hiker Wesser Evil Porter – $7
- Asheville, North Carolina – Porter Ale – 5.7% ABV – 30 IBU
Terrapin Rye Squared (Limited Run) – $7
- Athens, Georgia – Imperial Pale Ale – 8.5% ABV – 68 IBU
Boulevard Tank 7 – $7
- Kansas City, Missouri – Farmhouse Ale – 8.5% ABV – 38 IBU
Dragon’s Milk Reserve – S’mores – $7
- Asheville, North Carolina – Milk Stout – 11% ABV – 70 IBU

Next Up . . .

Silver Bluff Golden Isles IPA – $7
- Brunswick, Georgia – American IPA – 7.2% ABV – 79 IBU
Toppling Goliath King Sue – $7
- Decorah, Iowa – New England Hazy Ale – 7.8% ABV – 100 IBU

Cans/Bottles

12 oz – $3 (+$2 for a cold one poured in-house)
16 oz – $6 (+$2 for a cold one poured in-house)

Beer List

On Tap (Four at a Time)

Lazy Hiker Wesser Evil Porter – $7
- Asheville, North Carolina – Porter Ale – 5.7% ABV – 30 IBU
Terrapin Rye Squared (Limited Run) – $7
- Athens, Georgia – Imperial Pale Ale – 8.5% ABV – 68 IBU
Boulevard Tank 7 – $7
- Kansas City, Missouri – Farmhouse Ale – 8.5% ABV – 38 IBU
Dragon’s Milk Reserve – S’mores – $7
- Asheville, North Carolina – Milk Stout – 11% ABV – 70 IBU

Next Up . . .

Silver Bluff Golden Isles IPA – $7
- Brunswick, Georgia – American IPA – 7.2% ABV – 79 IBU
Toppling Goliath King Sue – $7
- Decorah, Iowa – New England Hazy Ale – 7.8% ABV – 100 IBU

Cans/Bottles

12 oz – $3 (+$2 for a cold one poured in-house)
16 oz – $6 (+$2 for a cold one poured in-house)

Wine

*Wines on weekly flights are $12 per glass

Red Wines

2021 Sangiovese – $42
- Slanted Window Sangiovese – Macon County, North Carolina/Dillard, Georgia
- Medium red, acidic, light tannins, summer berries, peppery finish, pairs with a grill on the lake.
2023 Tellico Tuscan Blend – $40
- Slanted Window Tellico Tuscan – Macon County, North Carolina/Dillard, Georgia
- Sangiovese, Chambourcin, St Vincent, Cabernet Sauvignon, Montepulciano
- Full-bodied red blend evokes Tuscany, soft palate with hints of cherry, coffee, and spicy vanilla.
2019 Chambourcin – $40
- Slanted Window Mambo Chambo – Macon County, North Carolina/Dillard, Georgia
- Husky bold red, dark cherry, smoky with a peppery finish, pairs well with peppercorn steaks & starry nights.
2022 Merlot – $22 (Sold Out)
- LaPlaya Estate Series – Colchagua Valley, Chile
- Ruby red to deep purple, aromatic berries and spice, notes of vanilla, cherry, and oak with an elegant finish.
2021 Merlot – $26
- William Hill Estate Series – Central Coast, California
- Dark plum and cherry with herbal notes, toasted oak and chocolate with a smooth finish.
2021 Merlot – $35
- Markham Vineyards – Napa Valley, California
- Black cherry, mint, vanilla, cedar, plumb mouthfeel, cheerful finish – straightforward but well-made stuff.
2021 Nebbiolo – $38
- Fontanabianca – Piedmont Region, Langhe, Italy
- Delicate with an expressive bouquet of violet, red cherry, and orange peels; light tannin with airy tobacco and savory vanilla.
2020 Nebbiolo – $85
- Ratti Barolo DOCG Marcensasco – Piedmont Region, La Morra, Italy
- Aromatic rose, red fruits, spicy earthiness, full-bodied and savory, medium tannins with a long finish of strawberry, vanilla, oak, and tobacco.
2018 Sangiovese – $62
- CampoNovo, La Gerla Winery by Rossi Alessandro, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Italy
- Intense ruby, with sweet violet and cinnamon, tobacco, and leather on the nose, savory yet balanced fruits and lingering finish.
2022 GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) – $26
- Famille Lançon ‘La Solitude’ – Côtes du Rhône, France
- Ruby-red structure with red berries and spices.
2021 GSM (Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre) – $26
- Paxton AAA GSM Organic – McLaren Vale, South Australia
- Vibrant medium-bodied blend of 55% Shiraz, 41% Grenache, and a 4% touch of Mataro, with hints of raspberries, cherries, and chocolate.

2020 GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre) – $70
- ‘Vendange’ La Ferme du Mont, Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOP, France
- Red reflection expressed by brandied cherry, laurel leaves, paprika, and nutmeg notes, with fine tannins.
2022 ‘8 Years in the Desert’ California Red Blend – $48
- Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, Syrah – Orin Swift – St. Helena, California
- Blueberry and plum meet espresso bean and oak for a rich flavor.
2022 California Red Blend – $22
- Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Pinot Noir 25%, Tempranillo 25% – House of Brown – Lodi, California
- Hibiscus, tea rose, pomegranate, and Maraschino cherry with a light body and crisp acidity.
2021 ‘Chaos Theory’ California Red Blend – $42
- 50% Merlot, 25% Petit Sirah, 25% Zinfandel – House of Brown Estate – Napa Valley, California
- Dense crimson color with blackberries, cappuccino, and complex layers of flavor.
2020 ‘Renegade’ California Red Blend – $30
- 67% Syrah, 27% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec – Ancient Peaks – Paso Robles, California
- Full-bodied with cherry, cranberry, smoked meat, and cedar notes on the finish.
2021 Tempranillo – $34
- Tempranillo – Ribera del Duero, Spain
- Plums, cherries, mint, cocoa, and fennel with soft tannins and a long finish.
2021 Carmenère – $22
- Axel – Colchagua Valley, Chile
- Hints of pickled peppers and cherry, with red and black fruits and a medium finish.
2022 ‘Abstract’ California Red Blend – $49
- Grenache, Petit Sirah, Syrah – Orin Swift – St. Helena, California
- Opens with blueberry and tarragon, broadens into full-bodied black plum, pepper, cedar, and forest floor with a satisfying umami finish.
2022 Syrah – $36 (one bottle left)
- Lionel Faury – Northern Rhône, France
- Higher elevation, deep brick hue, blackberry, violet, granite with distinct earthy notes.
2021 Syrah – $42
- Les Ribaudes – St. Joseph – Lionel Faury – Northern Rhône, France
- Vibrant juicy dark fruit, balanced with peppery spice, earthy minerality typical of the varietal.
2020 Montepulicano d’Abruzzo – $22
- Kind of Wild – D.O.C. Italy
- Ripe cherry with dried red roses and spices – juicy length toward a toasted oak finish.
2021 Malbec – $20
- ‘Llama’ Belasco de Baquedano – Mendozo, Argentina / James Suckling 90
- Dark cherry hue, intense aroma with cherry, blackberries, and plums – all the taste without the cost – old vine estate bottled.

White Wines

2023 Dry Apple Wine – $35
- Mele Melée – Slanted Window, Macon County, North Carolina/Dillard, Georgia
- An old German recipe with a bright golden hue, aromas of orchard grove, and crisp bite on a tart finish made from local Gala and Ginger Crisp apples.
2022 Albariño – $24
- Mars de Viñas, Adegas Gran Vinum, Rías Baixas, Spain (91 points from Wine Enthusiast)
- Almost clear to the eye, this wine has aromas of peach and jasmine. Peach continues on to the tastebuds and is joined by notes of Bartlett pear, rose petal, and a touch of mint tea. Bright on the palate from first sip to vivid finish.
2022 Pinot Grigio – $26
- J Vineyards – Sonoma County, California
- Melon, pineapple, and papaya with balanced acidity make for juicy, refreshing complexity.
2023 Pinot Grigio – $18
- Flora Lisa – IGP Terre di Chieti, Italy
- Organic grapes from the centrally located foothills of the Apennines Mountains offer rich fruitiness with tangerine added to green apple, peach, and citrus aromas.
2023 Pinot Grigio – $26
- Jermann – Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
- Intense straw-yellow color; full and fruity aroma; dry, velvety, fragrant, and persistent.
2020 Pinot Grigio – $26 (Out of Stock)
- Pigro – Trentino, Italy
- Bright apple, grapefruit crispness, dry with a taut finish, perfect for sunshine, grilled fish, seafood, and cold cuts.
2022 Riesling Dry – $24
- Selbach ‘Incline’ – Mosel, Germany
- Fruity vibrant acidity and sweetened clarity highlighting the slate minerality, and a great introduction to German wines.
2022 White Blend – $28
- 55% Riesling, 20% Pinot Gris, 15% Müller-Thurgau, 10% Gewürtztraminer – Borealis Winery – Williamette Valley, Oregon
- Bright yet balanced with slight minerality in a light to medium body with a smooth finish.
2022 White Bordeaux – $28
- 50/50 Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay – ‘Strong Arms’ – Canon-Fronsac, France
- Honeysuckle, ripe melon, citrusy lemon, and passionfruit with a softening blend of vanilla and cream on the finish.
2023 White Bordeaux – $28
- Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon – Chateau Haut La Pereyre – Haut Benauge, Entre Deux Mers, France
- Bone-dry refresher with citrusy notes on medium-bodied classic white blend from the hills around Cadillac, long recognized for superb white blends.

2023 Sauvignon Blanc – $28
- Winemaker’s Select – Whitehaven, New Zealand
- Bright taste and balanced acidity, sizzles on the palette with notes of white peach, lemongrass, and passionfruit.
2023 Sauvignon Blanc – $30
- Honig Vineyards – 58% Napa Valley, 42% Lake County
- A bright, fruit-forward wine with distinct citrus aromas of grapefruit, lemongrass, and lime, overlaying passion fruit and mango, lingering tropical flavors into a crisp finish.
2022 Sauvignon Blanc – $28
- Breton Vineyards – South Eastern Australia
- Zesty palate of citrus and passionfruit, very strong pyrazines, with a crisp refreshing finish. (Melbourne Open Wine Show Gold Medal 2022)
2022 Sauvignon Blanc – $43
- ‘Blank Stare’ – Orin Swift – Russian River Valley
- Notes of Granny Smith apple and key lime with white pepper and minerality. Crisp, bright, and middling finish.
2022 Chenin Blanc Organic – $24
- Secateurs A.A. Badenhorst Wines – Swartzland, South Africa (James Suckling 90 / Wine Advocate 90)
- Sliced ripe peaches and pears with dried orange peel on nose, slightly bitter lemon and stone fruit while being freshly balanced from start to finish. Certified biodynamic and organic.
2022 Beaujolais Blanc – $36
- Dupeuble Père et Fils – Le Breuil, France
- Old vines from an even older family, nothing added, notes of springtime roses, baking spices, fresh fruit, and fresh minerality; well balanced, ages well.
2022 Langhe Arneis – $32 (Out of Stock)
- Cordero de Montezemolo – Abla, Spain
- Typical and traditional white grape from a very dry mountainous region, notes of dried chamomile, green apple, ripe peach, starter, fish, chicken.
2022 Garnacha Blanca – $26 (Out of Stock)
- Legado del Moncayo – Campo de Borja, Spain
- Bright sunshine hues, slightly fizzy on the nose with notes of nectarine and spring flowers in a juicy acidic palette cleanser with a tangerine finish.
2021 Chardonnay – $26
- LaVis – Trentino, Italy
- Straw-yellow hues. Golden apple and pineapple tartness. Citrus and spices on the nose, medium body, light creamy texture.
2022 Chardonnay Organic – $24
- Paxton – McLaren Vale, South Australia
- Sparkling yellow straw in the glass, greeted with apple, peach, and melon in a smooth body erupting with citrus notes settling into soft butterscotch and caramel on the finish. Certified organic, vegan, and biodynamic.
2023 White Pinot Noir – $28
- Lemelson Vineyards – Williamette Valley, Oregon
- Pleasingly light and rich with ripe peach and tangerine notes, complementing a dry fig and white flower sensation on the palate. Perfect for a sunny afternoon served slightly chilled (45-50 degrees).

Sparkling/Rosé

2023 Dry Rosé – $9/$18
- 75% Garnacha 25% Mourvèdre – La Playa – Maule Valley
- Bright, refreshing, well-balanced with a pleasant bite; it’s a reeeeeally good Rosé, and priced to bring home.
2022 Rosé – $21
- 75% Zinfandel 20% Muscat Blanc, 5% Viognier – House of Brown – Lodi, California
- Delicate pale pink in color with a nose of jasmine, watermelon, raspberry, wild strawberry, blood orange, yuzu, hints of honeycomb and baking spice. Vibrant and dynamic on the palate with light body, silky texture, and a delightfully subtle finish.
2023 Rosé – $14/$28
- Chateau de Trinquevedel – Western Cotes du Rhone Tavel, France
- Intense pink with aromas of red berries, watermelon, and garrigue in a balanced entry with a long finish. It’s a gastronomic rosé that pairs with every meal from aperitif through dessert.
2019 Sparkling Organic Brut Reserva – $22
- 50% Macabo, 35% Xare-lo, 15% Parellada – Roger Goulart – Cava, Spain
- Pale yellow with green reflections, fresh fruit and citrus with light notes of fine lees in aging, medium-long intensity, acidic yet slightly sweet, fruity fresh, persistent finish.
2023 Sparkling Amber Wine – $38
- 60% Molette & 40% Altesse – Lambert de Seyssel, Savoie, France
- Nestled in the mountains of southeastern France, sense the combination of alpine flowers, dried fruit, wildflower honey, and toasty, delightfully aromatic, naturally sparkling. Pairs well with raclette and charcuterie.