“Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like
it.”
Anonymous
We
found this lovely vineyard on our way to Dillard, Georgia in the
north Georgia mountains. We turned off the main roads and followed
the signs leading us back to this wonderful gem which is nestled
between the NE mountain and Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to
the east. When we pulled into the vineyard and saw the view of the
mountains, it was just stunning.
As
we walked in, we were warmly greeted and asked if we cared to do a
tasting. We went up to the counter and was handed a list of wines
that we could choose. We could pick any six of their wines to taste
for $10. We both checked which wines we both cared to taste and
started our tasting. Our host for the day was none other than one
of the owners, Michael Brown who was a very nice and
knowledgeable man. He explained about each of the wines as we
tasted and we found out that he and Lisa Romarello own the Vineyard. They offer ten varieties of wines at their winery.
They
grow Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Tannat, and Traminette grapes since
the climate is perfect growing those varieties here. They also
buy grapes from the best vineyards to make their Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay, and Seyval Blanc. Their wines range from semi dry to
sweet. Everyone that we tasted was excellent.
Michael
worked in the corporate world but decided he needed a change. He
loved farming and decided to plant some grapes in 2008 on his
acreage. They did well so a few years later he decided to build the
winery. He opened the tasting room in 2012. While talking with
Michael we explained that his winery looked familiar and that we were
discussing if we had been here before. The tasting room didn’t look
familiar to us so we were unsure. He said they had renovated the
tasting room and added a gift shop but that I should go to the
bathroom and then I would know for sure. I walked in and right away
I knew we had been here before. When I saw the unique and ornate
sink made from the Beckwith Organ Company, I knew. When I came out
I let him know that we sure had been here before. He gave us a knowing smile.
The
tasting room has a lovely brick fireplace to sit nearby on a cold
evening and enjoy a glass of wine at one of the tables. The room is very
warm and homey. You can also order a cheese tray if you need
something to much on or can can bring in a picnic lunch to eat on the
premises. There are a couple tables that are available inside that
are made from the beautiful wood of a downed tree. The bar area has nice wooden
countertops that go perfectly with the wooden walls throughout the
building and high ceilings. All the staff were just delightful. We ordered a
glass of wine to take outside and sat on their covered patio aka
“Vino Veranda” where we enjoyed the view of the mountains.
There
were people outside roaming the property, playing cornhole,
picnicking, and some just sitting like us and enjoying their wine and
the gorgeous day. What a lovely way to spend some time.
This
vineyard sits on a 9 acre farm and from May – October they have
pizza nights on Friday nights where you can have a cooked pizza from
an open flame pizza oven plus they have live music on Saturdays. They
have tours of the winery a few times a year which they announce. The
winery is located right next to the tasting room.
The
name 12 Spies comes from the Bible story of Moses who sent 12 spies
to check out the Promised Land. While they were there, they found
grapes so large it took two men to carry one cluster. They brought
back the grapes on a staff along with figs and other fruits.
We
loved this vineyard and its setting was gorgeous. The property next
door had cows out in the pasture and with the mountains off in the
distance, it was just picture perfect. What a peaceful, delightful
setting. Thank you to all the staff there who made our time there
very enjoyable. This is a great place to stop. You will not
regret it. Check them out: www.12spiesvineyards.com. Bye for now.
Behold
the rain which
descends
from heaven upon
our
vineyards; there it enters
the
roots of the vines, to be
changed
into wine; a
constant
proof that God
loves
us, and loves to see us
happy.
Benjamin
Franklin
No comments:
Post a Comment