Romantic Wine Weekend Itinerary

When you’re looking for a serene weekend getaway in the Appalachian mountains, look no further than Ellijay, Georgia!

With verdant vineyards, well-stocked farm stores, and first-class dining, Ellijay is the perfect place for a romantic weekend. Here is a sample itinerary to help you start planning:

Cartecay Vineyards

You can’t go wrong with an original. Planted in 2008, Cartecay Vineyards brought an 1800s farm once reclaimed by nature back to life. Here, you can lounge in a hammock under the trees, wander the hilly property, and enjoy the beauty of the renovated barn and stacked-stone chimney. Enjoy sampling classic Cartecay Vineyards wines like Chimney Red.

BJ Reece Orchards

Just a short drive from your first stop, BJ Reece Orchards is truly a must-see. BJ Reece sells Ellijay apples year-round and a variety of produce, jams and jellies, and sauces perfect for taking back to your cabin and cooking a delicious meal. Their bakery is well-stocked with fritters, donuts, and hand pies. Grab some orchard goods and cider to take back home with you when you leave.

Ott Vineyards and Winery

If you’re in the mood for a romantic picnic, Ott Vineyards and Winery checks all the boxes. Imagine enjoying a cheeseboard and a luxurious wine like Worth the Wait (a Chambourcin with notes of vanilla, cherry, and chocolate) while taking in panoramic views of the Southern Appalachians. That’s the type of intimate date day you can enjoy at Ott. You’re sure to fall in love with their flavorful selection of wines that sound like titles of a feel-good romcom.

Buckley Vineyards

After enjoying Ott, head over to Buckley Vineyards. Here you can enjoy an apple wine like Corinne, have a guided barrel tasting, or enjoy a private tasting by their on-property waterfall. (Call ahead to reserve these unique tasting experiences.) Buckley is also the perfect place to grab food truck faire and take in awesome music from talented local artists.

Mountain Valley Farm Store

After enjoying lunch, head over to Mountain Valley Farm Store. This stunning family farm features some of the cutest animals you have ever seen. After admiring their bunnies, goats, cows, and lambs, head inside the farm store. Stocked with Georgia and Appalachian-grown goods, you can load up on their butchered meats, cheeses, butter, honey, and incredible ice cream.

Chateau Meichtry

Chateau Meichtry feels like being transported to a bucolic farm in the French countryside. Head into the tasting rooms to get a delicious wine like Shooter Ray (a Petit Verdot and Merlot blend named after Chateau Meichtry’s black lab) or Suss Weis. Call ahead to book a VIP tour of the vineyard for a behind the scenes look at how they make their wine.  You won’t want to miss the big reveal at the end of this tour!

Butcher and Bottle

After a long day of touring vineyards and farm stores in the Cartecay and Talking Rock areas, head to Downtown Ellijay for a five-star dinner at The Butcher and Bottle. You won’t want to miss their filet mignon served with creamy whipped potatoes and topped with delicious additions like creamy bleu cheese, red wine demi, and chimichurri. As their name suggests, Butcher and Bottle also features signature drinks like their Blueberry Lemon Drop and Grapefruit Splash.

Ready to book your perfect romantic vineyard in Ellijay? View a list of local lodging partners here.