Winery Tentatively Approved On Milton Farm

MILTON, GA — Beer lovers have options aplenty around North Fulton when it comes to drinking locally made beverages, and soon wine connoisseurs may also have a choice.

The Milton City Council approved an alcohol beverage license at its May 6 meeting to The Farm at Pamelot, 2105 Bethany Way, named The Painted Horse Winery. The license was approved as conditional pending approval by Georgia. Georgia requires a permanent local license before they will issue their license.

City Finance Director Bernadette Harvill said Milton's alcohol code says a farm winery in the city may sell its wine and other Georgia farm wine for wholesale distribution of farm winery production, retail package sales of wine and consumption on the premises. Any other activities may require other zoning and approved separately, Harvill said.

The Farm at Pamelot owner Pamela Jackson said she designated less than an acre for this venture, with 300 vines already planted. Those vines will produce flavors including pinot noir, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and cabernet sauvignon.

Jackson told the AJC that "the goal is to create 500 bottles of white wine and 1,000 bottles of red in the first full year of production, which may not be until 2023."

"The grapes are on an acre," Jackson said. "We have 20-acres total, so we have plenty of space. The winery is part of the farm, but a whole different section."

The farm is a private estate, so the doors will not be open to the public for a typical 9-5 p.m. business. Jackson said she plans to hold wine tastings for possibly up to 10 people with preregistration.

Some council members brought up concerns about how the winery will impact traffic or if Jackson will need multiple permits.

"This is my home, it's where I live," Jackson said. "If I do have larger events, that'll be a different issue. That's not part of the winery, but the farm where the horses are. They are two separate things. The special events permits are for the farm. The winery won't have any traffic change. The farm has already been operating for 25 years. We board and train horses. It'll be great for Milton cause there is nothing else like this here."

The farm already offers horse riding lessons, birthday parties and a summer camp. It plans to start hosting weddings, an art class and music this summer.

If the state approves, Jackson will have to renew her license annually.