So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

Hi there, my name is Amanda Holt and I am the Owner and Operator of Naturally Georgia in Dahlonega, GA. I come from humble beginnings in a very small town in North Carolina. I always tell people that I was raised in a barn (voluntarily) and started riding horses before I could walk! To this day, I ride every chance I get! My first career was based in my love for animals as a veterinary technician and I graduated with an Animal Science degree from North Carolina State University. My career in wine started in 2011 when myself and now husband moved to California. My fate was sealed after my first wine tasting! Upon moving to Dahlonega, Georgia in 2017, I was still balancing both careers until 2019 when I found Naturally Georgia. I walked into this beautiful place in my business suit with resume in hand and was immediately greeted by my mentor, the original owner of Naturally Georgia, Vickie Cooper. I never imagined being a small business owner, let alone the owner of the Best Wine Tasting Room in Georgia, until I met her. She taught me everything I know and still stands by my side, holds my hand and guides me to this day! After 6 years of being her manager, she decided she was ready to retire and I knew with every cell in my being that I could never let this place or these people go! I owe my success to Dahlonega, my family, my wine club members, my husband, but most importantly, Vickie Cooper! I do not stand alone in this venture, I stand with these amazing people right beside me! My husband, Andrew Seaton Holt V, and I could not be more proud to open these doors every day!

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now?

I live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth! Before moving to Georgia, I did not realize that there were wondrous mountains, stunning vineyards, spectacular waterfalls and even better people here! I am blessed to own my cabin on my little mountain and drive down to my business in the historic town of Dahlonega! Blessed is an understatement!

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Naturally Georgia has been tasting Georgia’s finest wines since September of 2006. Our mission is to bring the finest wines in Georgia to one location and create a memorable experience to take with you!

Here at Naturally Georgia, voted the Best Tasting Room in Georgia, we strive to make your wine tasting experience enjoyable and educational. Our wines are some of the finest produced in Georgia with grapes grown at our vineyards. From dry to sweet, we have a wine for everyone. Our ever changing selection of Georgia Grown wines are hand selected for every palate.

Whether you’re tasting wine, buying wine, or both, our promise is to be friendly, knowledgable, and FUN!!

Naturally Georgia specializes in supporting the finest, most award winning Georgia Grown wines. The vineyards we represent work harder than most people you will ever meet! The wine industry in Georgia is still very young and is a tedious profession. We have the easy part of the job, we happily pour their hard work into glasses and make sure every taster understands the work that goes into that glass…from grape to bottle!

Naturally Georgia has been Voted the Best Tasting Room in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County and the State of Georgia for several years hosting the Friendliest Staff on the Historic Dahlonega Square! Representing the Largest Georgia Grown Wine List in the World, we stand apart!

As the owner, I am honored to represent Georgia, my winemakers, delicious Georgia wines but most importantly, I am proud to own a place where friends become family! I always tell my customers, come for the wine, stay for the good times! We host several events every month including Trivia, Music Bingo, specialized wine tastings and private events!

A place where the locals go and friends become family!

If someone wants to start a business, what advice will help them?

Owning a small business is never a smooth road, it ebbs and flows. We are lucky to have a strong following that believes in our business, our future and support us every step along the way! At the end of the day, if you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life! Even through the struggles of owning a small business, I haven’t “worked” in over 7 years!

Hard work goes a long way but it will never amount to the people who stand beside you! Trust the process always, even when you doubt yourself, if you do it right the most important people in your life will be there with you! This business could never survive without the Naturally Georgia family! We are so blessed, proud and honored; Forever and Always!

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won't forget about?

I have a lot of people to thank for this one, I have been Voted the "Friendliest Store Clerk" in Dahlonega for several years and I hope that speaks to the service I provide! Many customers call Naturally Georgia their "safe place" and that brings me more joy than I could ever emit! We have also been called the "Cheers" bar of Dahlonega where friends become family and I find that absolutely beautiful!

Where do you see your company in the future?

I hope to keep growing, educating and loving every single individual that walks through my doors! I open my shop with pride and am humbled by the people who stand with me!

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Wine is not just something you drink, it is a mix of science and artistry! The basic equation is simple but the winemakers turn a simple grape into a work of art! My job is to make sure you can appreciate their dedication in every drop, from grape to bottle to glass!

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business and how did you deal with it?

COVID threw everybody for a loop. I am blessed to have made it through those hard times but it was only with the support of my community. I offered home delivery and curbside pick up and I am so blessed to have been able to re-open my doors when so many others couldn't!

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers-Mary Jane's Last Dance is my favorite song of all time! Followed very closely by Billy Joel-Vienna, who I was blessed to see live! My favorite athlete starts from my childhood and would obviously be Joe Montana tied with Russell Wilson (GO WOLFPACK!!)

Any shoutouts you want to make?

MY HUSBAND, always my husband! Andrew Seaton Holt V has made all of my dreams come true and works tirelessly to do so!

My Family

My Vineyards and Winemakers

My Wine Club Members

My Community

The Great City of Dahlonega

and lastly, anyone who is reading this article!

Where can our readers follow your work or learn more about your upcoming projects?

For the readers, we would be happy to host you any time you visit our quaint, beautiful little mountain town of Dahlonega, GA! Sit down and sip with us and you will understand why we are the Best and considered the “Cheers” bar of Dahlonega! You can find us at 90 Public Square N. Dahlonega, Georgia 30533, visit our website: naturallygeorgia.com or call Amanda at 704-975-1956 for more information!

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