Cartecay Wine and Craft, Ellijay, Georgia

“Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.”

Anonymous

Last weekend, we headed to the mountains and went to the charming town of Ellijay, Georgia. While spending the day in town, strolling in and out of the quaint shops and eateries, we saw Cartecay Wine and Craft. We were thrilled as we planned on going to the winery and this way we could get a taste first to see if we liked their wine.

We walked into this eclectic tasting room and we were warmly greeted. After looking over their selection of wines from Cartecay Vineyard and other local Georgia vineyards, we both choose a wine to our liking, Joe a Norton called Red Dread Head and I, a white wine called Chimney White. Both were very nice fragrant wines. Our server, Darlene was very informative, friendly, and she was lovely.

We learned a lot about the town and this winery in particular from her. They opened this tasting room in 2018 after refurbishing this building. When they were taking off the plaster to expose the bricks, they got to an area and realized it was a sign with prices from the restaurant back in the early 1900’s. Fortunately, they saved it and we were told it is quite the conversation piece.

She also told us about a wine tour for the entire month of August 2020.   For $50 you can go to all the Vineyards mentioned in the Wine passport on weekends and do a tasting at each for that price.  You get one free souvenir glass from the vineyard where you start.    That sounds like a lot of fun. 

The tasting room was finished nicely having a casual comfortable feel with a large roll up window that can be opened to the outside overlooking the square with bar stools in front of it. There was a large bar area along with a smaller bar area in the other room. There was also a store where you could buy products like soaps, candles, T-shirts, and other unique items and a gallery of great paintings that can be purchased. I loved the lighting there and all the funny signs.

Cartecay Kindness - Pour a Friend forward is a cute idea.  How fun for the locals and visitors alike. If you are not a wine person, they also offer local brews to taste and enjoy as well as appetizers and other items on their menu. They now also offer wine slushes which are wonderful, sweet, and refreshing. If you haven’t tried one, you need to. They are lovely.

They had a sign stating they have Open Mic seven days a week and they are looking for musicians to sign up to sing for Friday and Saturday nights or on a first come first served from Sunday through Thursday. Sounds like a great place to get out and share their talents.

Their hours are Monday – Thursday 11:30 to 7, Friday and Saturday 11:30 – 9, and Sunday 12:30 – 7. They are located on the square in Ellijay at 19 South Main Street. Check out their website: Cartecayvineyards.com. This was a great place to sit, relax and have a lovely refreshment.   We will visit again.  

Take care and bye bye for now.