5704 Clear Creek Rd, Ellijay, Georgia 30536
We arrived at Cartecay near the end of their day, so we were unable to gauge the crowd or the vibe, but there is a seating area around an old fireplace outside with a nice view of the area, so we wager that a larger group who wants outside seating might consider Cartecay. The tasting room is in a tastefully decorated barn style building with original art on the walls and a few comfortable chairs, but we’d return with a group for their outside seating and its advantages.
Now for the wines. There are a lot of sweet wines! If you prefer sweet wines, and many wine lovers do, you will find a wide selection. We ordered a tasting of the wines on the Dry side, and we received generous pours.
- Vidal Blanc – Very nice with a funkiness that comes from the grapes fermenting on the leaf.
- Chimney White – Drinks sweet, and not a typical blend of grapes for this blend so a good choice if you like to experiment with wines on the sweeter side.
- Chimney Red – Drinks like a Port with after taste of raisins and prunes.
- Cabernet Sauvignon – Dry Red with hints of Bell Pepper and a hint of pencils complete with the erasers.
- Law Men Red – Strong Red with hints of sour cherry; it is a spiced blend so a lot going on not identifying bell pepper or any single spice.
Remember to tip the staff 15-20% of the tab and enjoy Cartecay with a group on a great day as they certainly have the charming space outside for your group.
