Destination: Bent Tree Lodge & Vineyard
The exterior of the pretty restaurant and winery tasting facility Some Photos Courtesy of Cairn View Winery
Author: Artsy Chow Roamer
BENT TREE LODGE & VINEYARD
Discover this top Georgia Winery
I had relatives visiting and wanted to come up with a fun destination that would be a short drive away from my North Georgia home. I had heard some great things about a new winery that had opened off Cove Road that was associated with the Bent Tree community so when a beautiful Saturday occurred begging for a little wine and music, we hit the road and headed to Bent Tree Lodge and the Cairn View Winery.
The view from the tasting room to the bed & breakfast up the hill
DESTINATION ARRIVAL
Located at 253 Happy Trails Way in Jasper, the turn off from Cove Road is onto Long Swamp Church Road which zigs zags through some scary woods and properties. You feel increasingly alone and quiet, which turns out to be a very good thing when you make the final right turn into their driveway. Drive by the first building where you get your first impression of the cute farmhouse style lodge, super views of the vines to the right and back and lush views of the full property with surrounding gardens and outdoor spaces.
This will give you a little tour
We continued down the slope to the tasting room first which was already geared up for the day’s entertainment with several tables and group areas full of wine sippers. A quiet zen water fountain provides white noise with a pretty rock garden to set it off at the entrance. Outdoor tables for 2, 4, 6 and more sport Adirondack chairs in a cheery shade of blue that coordinate well with the charcoal gray and natural wood exteriors. A large comfy living room set up surrounds a two-sided fireplace for an intimate grouping while a short walk away allows for a lot of folks to warm up around a nice fire pit.
TASTING lounge
Owners, Brent and Debi Hancock have worked very hard to find the right place to fulfill a dream for themselves that most would have said the odds were against them successfully achieving. After a sublime experience at an appointment only wine tasting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the personalized service they enjoyed became the inspiration for the vision of their own property and what they wanted to provide their customers in the North Georgia mountains. The acres are now cleared with vines and exotic trees planted, a 5-star lodge and lounge built, providing the setting for a cozy spot to visit for a day of relaxation, a weekend of wine exploration or a wonderful private event.
The tasting room offers a well-designed farmhouse style space with exposed bricks, fun wine references, a large Founder’s loft and seats at a pouring bar. Natural wood columns and rails add warmth against the floors that give that cool wine cellar vibe. Lounge seating around the fireplace is perfect for a bite and tasting flight. All in all it is a warm, inviting space that feels comfortable and curated without being stuffy.
The handsome rustic farmhouse interior of the tasting lounge facility
cafe menu
Menus arrived quickly and our super friendly server gave us an informed tour of how it worked and provided recommendations on what to try and in what order to do so. While it might not be considered as extensive as some other wineries menu, it seems very thoughtful with an eye towards a nice grouping in each area for a full experience. Nine choices are offered in the red, four in the white and seven under the sweet wine heading along with five different tasting flight options.
We all started with a glass of white in the Weeping Willow and Springer Mountain Blend. We were pleased with them both but preferred the Willow. One of our party tried the Mountain Laurel Rose and found it very pleasant, maybe the best they had for the day. I wanted to try something with longer legs and took the 2022 Malbec. It was the best I had for the day but I always prefer a red if given a choice especially with food.
All choices are offered by the glass or bottle. I would suggest you consider ordering bottles as the one complaint in our party was the five ounce pour for a $12, 14 & 17 a glass price. They felt those prices were going to be difficult for the area on that amount and they must know it as they do make you aware of it at ordering.
While there isn’t a full kitchen kind of menu, they do offer some bites and dishes that go well with their wines. Charcuterie, cheese and fruit, Mediterranean and Dessert plates are sharable and perfect for this purpose. For a bigger lunch choice you might want to go with a couple of different empanadas, Barbeque Sliders, Chicken Salad Croissant or loaded Bake Potato Soup ranging in price from $8-15. Wine-tails with booze and beers are also a available drinks if wine alone just isn’t your thing.
EVENTS MUSIC & mORE
Memorable experiences can be had in this smaller more intimate venue whether it’s a boutique wedding, rehearsal dinner or corporate event. It was designed to provide everything you need for weddings of up to 50 guests and private events for up to 60 including the cozy warm ambiance, dance space, catering and musical support. With the lodge providing accommodation, who wouldn’t want to attend your next party? The winery offers its own events as well as a wine club. Musical guests are scheduled monthly with local favorite Bill Pound entertaining the day we visited. Check out the website to see both wine club membership options and prices with all the goodies listed that you’ll get in your package.
bed & breakfast LODGE
Say yes to this property for your best in places to stay in the area. Even other event venues like The Historic Tate House list the property as one of their choices for guests. An inviting entrance with rocking chairs steps into a welcoming living room lobby with fireplace and a view to an outdoor dining and gathering space. That overlooks another garden area with comfy chairs and fire pit for roasting marshmallows and chilling.
HGTV’s Fixer Upper is inspiration for the six suites that are timeless, simple and elegant. Priced from $195 to $315 a night, each space has its own theme with a fabulous breakfast and their own coffee brand included each morning. The Rustic Cabin is the lowest priced moving to Seaside Escape, Vineyard and Farmyard in the middle finishing with the premiere Gibbs Gardens and Tabacco Pouch Suites, the largest with the best views.
Rooms and bath rooms are spacious with luxurious linens, ceiling fans, amenities trays, wifi, cable TV, hair dryers and more. Color schemes and high quality furniture coordinate with artwork and accessories to complete the signature designs in the same warm comfortable way of the tasting lounge. Packages are available to add to your reservation to make your stay as pleasurable as you want. In room spa services, flowers, picnic baskets, cakes and catered dinners are just the beginning to a better stay.
final thoughts
Lush landscaping and walking paths blend with beautiful gardens and outdoor gathering spaces to provide the perfect background for making memories at Cairn View Winery. Whether it’s for a social gathering, getaway weekend, event or a simple romantic date, escape soon for a visit and bring your family and friends. I promise you’re gonna like it.
A little more 411
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Cheers!
Artsy Chow Roamer
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