Here's Another Reason to Book That Trip to Dahlonega, America's Favorite Christmas Town

Dahlonega, Georgia is a picturesque getaway with a fascinating history (gold rush!), gorgeous natural terrain, and an inviting town square. Now, it's also home to a very special designation — the first of its kind in Georgia.

"The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has designated the 'Dahlonega Plateau' as the newest viticultural area in the U.S., and the first with boundaries contained in the state of Georgia. The AVA's name was derived from a long, narrow, northeast-southwest trending plateau in the northern foothills of the Georgia Piedmont," reports the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "This federal designation, which went into effect July 20, allows winemakers and consumers to attribute a given quality, reputation or other characteristic of a wine made from grapes grown in an area to the wine's geographic origin." Making this even more impressive is the fact that of the circa 238 AVA designations in America, almost half of them are in California.

From a traveler's perspective, what's all this fancy vino speak mean? The tiny town of Dahlonega is tucked into a resoundingly vibrant county for vineyards and wine tasting galore. Since we hear good food pairs well with wine, you can also count on some memorable meals during your visit.

WATCH: Why You Really Need to Plan a Visit to Dahlonega, Georgia This Christmas