WINE RENAISSANCE UNDER WAY; Georgia's Wineries Hope to Harvest Growing Industry Vineyard Owners Want State to Become More Involved in Tourism Promotion

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Byline: VICKY ECKENRODE

ATLANTA -- In the state known for peaches, grapes once held a respectable edge.

But years before the national prohibition of alcohol (1920-33), Georgia said no to spirits and stomped out its wine industry for decades.

Now, the Georgia grape is poised for a comeback and fledgling growers in the state are trying to take the next step in promoting local vineyards to a rapidly expanding market of wine consumers.

Vineyard owners are hoping to get the state more involved in the effort, saying the properties can become a significant tourism asset like it has in other Southeastern states.

"The industry is certainly going to grow, there's no doubt about it," said Steve Gibson, president of the Winegrowers Association of Georgia and general manager of Habersham Winery in Helen, one of the first in the state to open after Georgia began allowing …