Definitely a unique experience. We actually had the builder and owner give us a tour. It's was a 2…read morehour tour but we felt like we got the VIP experience. You could certainly go in, run around, look at the castle in 15 mins, but we wanted to understand the art, the reason behind the build and just learn a few things. Santa was there for pictures and it's neat that you can rent a room IN the castle. We weren't able to view those rooms but, I believe there are pictures online. Maybe we will come back and stay! You can't see the castle upon arrival, they take you in a bus up the hill so, I liked that it didn't ruin the surprise. They had little Tiaras for purchase and they give you a small prize when you complete the word puzzle they hand you. And event here would be cool. It would also be great if they had more drink or snacks for purchase but imagine that's in the works!! This was a costly project so, it will only get better!

So this was the second year for CastleFaire and it was even better than last year. It's not a huge…read morefaire by any means but it's growing. And well, you can't beat having it in a castle! Their location causes some logistical issues you don't have at most faires as there is no parking field. Most people have to park offsite and catch a free shuttle to the bottom of the mountain, then they drive you up to the castle. For those of us in full costume, the shuttle buses do add a level of complication we aren't used to but is definitely worth it If you like the Renaissance faire type events you need to go check this event out.

We planned our day trip to the North Georgia wine country specifically to visit Frogtown. Very…read moredisappointed that they were closed on our 11/30/24 visit. Nothing was posted on their website mentioning this fact. We arrived to a deserted winery and after walking around to see what was happening, we were met by a gentleman who worked there, but said that they close every year for Thanksgiving week to visit their family in California, which is where we travelled from. On top of this, a couple weeks earlier, we met their daughter (Jordan Fiorentini, winemaker at Epoch Wines in Paso Robles, CA) and told her that we were going to visit Frogtown during Thanksgiving week, and she also didn't say anything about them being closed. They really need to work on their communication...

This is a difficult review to write. 3.5 would be more accurate…read more First, the wines are exceptionally good. The Voignier was excellent. And another full bodied red, COAX, was terrific. But why on earth have us sample them when they aren't available for purchase? Oh, I know. Join their Citizens Wine Club and get them shipped. And that's the entire focus. They pushed the club to the point we were uncomfortable. Also, the educational push was much. Georgia grapes. California grapes. Swish. Don't swish. Aerate. Don't aerate. Don't refrigerate whites. Yada yada yada. Let folks enjoy their wine any dang way they want. Don't judge. There's no right or wrong. Food? Expensive, but excellent. A sandwich is large enough to split. But there's a $6 split fee because they double the side salad and chips to two plates. That's a mandatory up charge. The small cheese plate was ample. Wines & Food? 5 stars. The hype & push took away the joy of the experience. Unfortunate. These are superb wines. Enjoy them. Just avoid sitting at the bar and the lecture that comes with it.

This location was really nice. Came on a winery tour and this was 1 of 3 stops. Everyone was very…read morepolite and knowledgeable. The wines were really good. It was a nice experience. I would recommend.

Tasting: $17 + tax for 5 1-oz. pours; Souvenir Wine Glass $8…read more The Cottage Winery was not on our original itinerary but was recommended to us after another winery we wanted to visit was closed for Thanksgiving week. The property is beautifully situated on a hillside with views of the vineyards and mountains. You couldn't ask for a more scenic setting. They have two tasting rooms joined by a massive deck, and areas below for cornhole and other games for the families. My wife and I shared two tastings so we could maximize our experience with their wines. Madison poured for us and explained that their wines were made from estate and Lodi, CA sourced fruit. She was so nice, and the rest of the staff were very friendly, but unfortunately, not well educated on the wines they were pouring. Several times (and from several people), we heard the comment, "I don't know, I just work here" and "they don't tell us these things" in response to us asking specific questions about the wines, sources of the fruit, aged in stainless or barrels, etc. Granted, we can be "wine snobs", but this was basic info that they should be able to tell customers. I blame management for a lack of proper training. In general, we tended to like the wines that were made with the CA fruit. They also sell snacks, meat & cheese trays, and other beverages. The day we visited, they had a local food truck selling pizzas, which looked darn good, as well as live music in the Penner Tasting Room. As I always say when it comes to wines, what I like/dislike may be different than you, so I recommend you give them a try for yourselves. Find a wine you like, buy a glass or bottle, admire the views, and enjoy!

Hear me clearly! If you want the most amazing wine in the N.Georgia Mtns that is not ridiculously…read moresweet and true to form...look no further than Limoges Cellars ! Hands down the best!! As close to Napa as I have found in Georgia. Family owned, and the staff is amazing! And frankly, the view is what makes stress melt away! Highly recommend and will DEFINITELY be back again myself!

They have beautiful views but their wine isn't on the same level. Sad because they could have…read moresomething really wonderful there.

Stopped in on a whim and just caught a guided tour heading out...so glad we did. Faye was our tour…read moreguide and she moved at a good pace and had some interesting history to share. The house is preserved to it's original state as much as they could (they've added electric lighting, etc) and there's lots of art and personal items to check out. Great way to spend an hour or two if in the area on a nice day. You will walk outside for a good portion of the tour so dress appropriately! There is a lovely gift shop that I'll keep in mind if I'm ever in the area and need a little present or hostess gift :)

Hardman Farm was a nice walk from my hotel. There is a gift shop however, they do not allow pets…read moreand walking I had my dog with me. So that was disappointing that I couldn't go in and explore. we could walk around the grounds and explore the barns and areas of the farm. There are some fantastic views. The main house is gorgeous. The barns are cool. I liked seeing the dairy barn. The land is one of my dreams. The walk back to the hotel was just as nice under the shade of trees following the river.

This is a great wedding venue! I was able to attend a wedding and reception on their venue. Two…read morethumbs up.

From the owner: Willow Creek Farm, Where Mountains and Creeks Whisper Your…read moreLove Story! Spanning 40 acres of meadows, mountain backdrops, beautiful creeks and enchanting forests, Willow Creek Farm reigns as North East Georgia's premier wedding venue. Imagine exchanging vows in the North Georgia Mountains where two ancient creeks merge into one. This stunning backdrop symbolizes unity & the merging of two lives into a harmonious whole. The gentle sounds of flowing water, the forest trees providing a natural shaded canopy & the peaceful meadows & mountains in the background create an intimate & romantic atmosphere that is unique in the world & perfect for a truly one of a kind elevated wedding experience. The ceremony site itself sets Willow Creek apart from every other venue but this charming mountain farm also offers unparalleled amenities including a 4200 sq. Ft climate controlled modern barn style reception space, a 2,000 sq. pavilion, a plush modern chic bridal cottage, a fun grooms cabin on the creek, an instagram worthy fire pit surrounded by swings & a wonderful she-shed decor warehouse. You & your guests may even catch sight of a native Brook Trout swimming by, a baby Katahdin Lamb poking it’s head through the fence or our mated pair of Muskogee Ducks that have recently taken up residence on the farm under the old bridge. Willow Creek is a Unique & Affordable Cleveland Georgia Wedding Venue Willow Creek Farm 6825 US Hwy 129 North Cleveland, GA 30528 706-892-8215

What could be better after a hike on beautiful Yonah Mountain than a visit to nearby Yonah Mountain…read moreVineyards? A lot of things as it turned out. Although the setting is admittedly spectacular, acres of hilly vineyards with views of the mountain behind, and the patio was certainly fancy, the tables each with fire pits in the center providing cheery warmth, the tasting experience itself was sub-par and overpriced. It lacked the authentic feel I've seen in other wineries and seems more of a tourist destination. First thing I noticed is the shockingly high tasting fee of $35 for a flight of 4 2-ounce pours of their choice. No substitutions allowed! Either these are some spectacularly great wines or this is a major rip-off. I passed. But since I was here I decided to have a glass. I got one of their estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon. It was around $16 but since I was here. It was good, but certainly not worth the $48 they charge for a bottle. For the $35 do you get individual attention, descriptions from the bartender about the wines and about their winery? No. You get 4 labeled glasses to take back to your table. Not worth it. Find another place less touristy, more authentic. That shouldn't be hard. There are like 65 wineries in the area!

"Wine enters through the mouth, Love, the eyes…read more I raise the glass to my mouth, I look at you, I sigh." William Butler Yeats With the beautiful backdrop of the rolling hills of North Georgia, Yonah Mountains Vineyards delivers real wine and real romance. Whether it's for an afternoon date, or a full out wedding among the rows of vines, it's hard not to feel love in the air. Great outdoor seating, both covered and uncovered, place you right above the beautiful vineyard and allow you to take it all in. Yonah Mountains Vineyards separates itself from the others by providing familiar wines such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay etc as opposed to the traditional Muscadine wines of the south. The wine itself is decent, but definitely not near the quality of the west coast wines, but all were enjoyable. I particularly liked their Genesis 12, a red wine blend, and their Viognier, an impressive white. Wine flights are around $60 with a choice between white, red, or mixed. Bottles run around $40-100. A little pricey for the product, but then again, it's the whole experience that you are buying, and it's money well spent. Yonah Mountain Vineyards strikes the perfect balance between classy and casual. You'll be just as comfortable in jeans as in a tux or a horrid bridesmaid dress. Cheers!

Came here for a tasting and had a wonderful experience! Their wines are truly quality wines. We…read moreenjoyed every wine we tasted and if we weren't flying home, we would've bought more than just 3 bottles. They have a variety of dry and sweet wines, as well as beers and slushees. Their tasting bar was spacious, and there's also a store with a variety of items for sale as well. We also had a great tasting experience with Katie who was very personable and did a good job balancing chatting about the wines with us, and helping other customers as needed. I highly recommend for anyone in the area who enjoys great wine!

We were greeted the minute we walked in the door. I ordered a tasting a they were super…read moreinformative and attentive to me. Then we got a charcuterie board and ate it while listening to music enjoying the outside fresh air.

Had a lovely one night stay at Lucille's for my birthday. Beautiful grounds, peaceful and quaint…read morenothing but great experience with the B&B. My husband had scheduled a massage as a gift for that afternoon. This was probably the worst experience I have had. The therapist was poor in her execution, style and even manner. Before my treatment even started she mentioned an up charge for deep tissue. During my treatment she burped two times and her massage was far from relaxing her massage etiquette as a therapist was poor and as it was my birthday it sort of ruined my whole experience there, which was a shame. I did reach out to the B&B and provided my feedback, was told the spa manager (Tanya) would reach out but she never did. Heard back from the B&B manager and she told me the owner would give me a $50 dollar credit to my treatment the next time! We live almost two hours away so will not be planning on using that any time soon. To be honest after that experience I would not go back to the spa. The b&b was lovely the massage experience not so.

Title: A Blissful Retreat at Lucille's Mountain Top Inn and Spa…read more Rating: (5/5) My partner and I recently enjoyed a two-day stay at Lucille's Mountain Top Inn and Spa, and it was nothing short of magical. From the moment we arrived, the impeccable service and breathtaking surroundings left us utterly enchanted. Firstly, I must commend Alex, the multi-talented front desk manager and concierge. Her warm welcome and exceptional hospitality set the tone for our entire stay. Alex not only ensured a smooth check-in but also provided us with valuable information about the resort and nearby attractions. Her dedication to making our stay memorable was truly impressive. Our mornings were filled with culinary delights thanks to the talented chefs, Michael and Linda. There are always 2 courses, and they typically feature some local produce and meats. Michael's breakfast creations on day one were a delightful surprise, with flavors that danced on our taste buds, especially the sausage! Linda, the breakfast chef on day two, continued the culinary excellence with a delectable breakfast that left us craving for more. The eggs with asparagus were amazing and I am super picky about my eggs. Rebecca, the waitress, deserves a special mention for her attentive and friendly service during our meals. She made dining a pleasure, always ready with a smile and quick to accommodate any request. Carla, the kitchen helper, and Cassidy, another member of the front desk and concierge team, contributed to the overall smooth operation of the inn. Their dedication behind the scenes did not go unnoticed, and it's evident that the entire staff at Lucille's is a well-oiled machine. Desserts are also served in the evening and the guests serve themselves and typically joined in the common areas, reading, chatting or playing one of the several board games available. It was delightful way to unwind. The highlight of our stay was the couples massage at the spa, a truly rejuvenating experience. The spa staff exhibited professionalism and skill, creating a tranquil atmosphere that allowed us to unwind and connect on a deeper level. Lucille's Mountain Top Inn and Spa is a place where luxury meets nature, and where every staff member goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. The stunning mountain views, the impeccable service, and the attention to detail make this an oasis of relaxation and romance. We can't wait to return to this hidden gem in the mountains. Thank you, Lucille's, for making our stay unforgettable.