Montaluce Estate and Vineyards has an array of new offerings to enhance the wine and dining experience in the heart of North Georgia's Wine Country. Chef Steve Hewins at Montaluce's Ristorante Le Vigne has recently introduced new menus featuring Italian-inspired specialties with the freshest local and seasonal ingredients for lunch and dinner.

On Friday and Saturday evenings, special boutique wines will be featured on the wine list and occasionally a winery representative or winemaker will be in attendance to engage guests and expand their wine appreciation.

On Sunday evenings, a new prix fixe Sunday Supper is available as the perfect finale to a weekend of wine tasting in North Georgia.

Highlights from the lunch menu include:

Wood-grilled flatbread with Prosciutto Crudo, caramelized Vidalia onion, Crimini mushrooms and mozzarella

Deconstructed veal meatball panino with mixed greens, natural broth, wood-oven flatbread

Thinly-sliced, marinated beef tenderloin, freshly baked focaccia, shaved red onion, Campari tomato, organic baby arugula, Boursin cheese

Day Boat Sea Scallops, with warm salad of frisee, radicchio & endive, Taleggio cheese and pancetta-Dijon vinaigrette with toasted pine nuts

Marinated Skirt Steak, creamy leek risotto, sautéed spinach, 25-year old balsamic vinegar, bruschetta

Prices at lunchtime range from $8 to $18. The relaxed environment and beautiful setting are perfect for lingering over a glass of wine and sharing conversation with friends. Express lunch is ideal for business people wanting to enjoy Montaluce's beautiful setting and allows guests to be in and out in an hour.

Dinner is always a memorable occasion at Le Vigne. The menu offers something for everyone including savory antipasti, satisfying salads and crispy wood-grilled flatbreads to share with a group or to enjoy with an aperitif. Entree selections include handmade pastas, fresh fish and meats prepared using traditional Italian recipes and the finest ingredients.

Highlights include:

Frisee, radicchio and endive salad with warm pancetta-Dijon vinaigrette, sweet Gorgonzola, and toasted pine nuts

House made Mezza Luna, pasta with fresh ricotta, Pecorino Toscano, San Marzano tomato and basil puree

Pan Roasted Corvina with lentil and arugula salad, lemon vinaigrette

Braised Veal Shank, saffron risotto, Parmigiano-Reggiano

Prices for dinner items range from $8 to $26. Dinner is served on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. and on Sunday evening from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. with a prix fixe, special Chef's menu. For current menus, please visit www.montaluce.com/menu.php.

Beginning in July, on Friday and Saturday evenings with dinner, guests may enjoy special wine features at significant discounts. Every week, a featured boutique winery will be highlighted on the wine menu and guests may choose to enjoy these wines by the glass or bottle.

Occasionally personalities and winemakers from the wineries will be in attendance to discuss their wines and interact with guests. Chad Ortis, Le Vigne's Sommelier, will also be on hand to introduce guests to new wines and continue their education in the world of wine.

Visit the calendar of events online for Wine Dinner schedules: www.montaluce.com/upcomingevents.php.

On Sunday evenings throughout the summer, Le Vigne will host a Sunday Supper Club. Chef Steve Hewins will present a price fixed, three-course menu highlighting the bounty of the season. Guests may enjoy the camaraderie of the community table, or dine al fresco on the terrace as the sun sets over the vineyards. Sunday Supper's simple menu is the perfect finale after a day wine tasting in North Georgia. A thoughtful wine selection is also available to accompany the menu. Every Sunday from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. $19 per person.

Montaluce Estates and Vineyard is located at 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533. Telephone: 866.991.VINO (8466) or 706. 867.4060. www.montaluce.com.