The Dahlonega Plateau is now a nationally recognized wine region of the United States. Eight vineyards and wineries are included in the region, which covers areas of Lumpkin and White counties. Winemakers and tourism officials are cheering the decision, saying it puts Dahlonega on the same federally recognized level as Sonoma and Napa valleys in California. The designation makes clear that “there’s a particular geographic region — the Dahlonega Plateau — that has a special growing condition,” said Stephen Smith, manager of the tasting room at Wolf Mountain Vineyards, one of the properties in the designated area. “There’s a particular soil profile. Everything that goes into growing grapes makes this area unique.”