Cavender Creek Vineyards — Attraction in Dahlonega

Let me preface this review. We have visited this winery at least 25 to 30 times over the last 3 years. We have brought friends along, we've brought out of town family along. Great 10 out of 10 experiences all but a couple times. But today's experience was unacceptable. They were very busy. But when we walked in they were not busy at the counter at all there was one group of three, a single gentleman, and us as we stepped to the bar. The owner I believe her name Kathy told the gentleman next to us his popcorn would be right out, looked up and acknowledged us said someone would be right with us. She's always been very pleasant with us. We looked at her and said absolutely no problem at all. A kid then came out of the back with a bucket of popcorn asked if it was ours. We said no gentleman here as the gentleman was reaching for it. So we're standing at the counter with the menu open in front of us, let the kid know the popcorn wasn't ours he hands it to the gentleman. Then steps to the right of us completely disregarding us. Not even acknowledging or asking us if we had been helped or were ready to order. Stands there for 10ish seconds looks past us to a group of five or six people and asks if they were ready. My wife and I immediately both said we are ready. To which he just looked at us steps back toward us pulls out two wine glasses and sets him on the counter and asks what we wanted to order. Didn't acknowledge that we were standing there. Or that he ignored us. Or say sorry. Nothing. It absolutely dumbfounded us as to how you could be so obtuse about a couple standing at the counter waiting to order. Now this same scenario basically happened with the same Asian kid about a month ago and my wife kind of just blew it off because we do enjoy coming here so much and it was a little busier that day. But today was completely unacceptable. You've lost a very good customer that enjoys weekend wine excursions in...

I kept emailing this and it kept getting sent back. When I Facebook messaged it the said manager gave me ridiculous excuses for her behavior. FIRE the manager or BOYCOTT Cavender Creek!!!!

To whom it may concern, I have been to Cavender many times. I have had amazing experiences. I always leave with multiple bottles of wine. I love the atmosphere. I love the wine. The people behind the bar have always been amazing. However, the female manager on staff on 5/12/2019 was absolutely dispicable! My friend who has never been to Cavender had an intiment conversation with the male bartender in regards to infertility. She has been trying to conceive for almost two years. She got emotional. She excused herself to the restroom to feel her emotions. The manager on duty came in and accused her of being drunk and vomiting. She was not intoxicated nor did she vomit. She needed a minute to collect herself. I had closed out the open tabs for my companions. Still the manager on duty continued to harass my friend accusing her of vomitting in the sink and told her to get out! When I confronted the manager she admitted to everything she said but with no apologies said she wasn’t aware of the back story. I have spent years in ther service industry in high end restaurants in Buckhead. I would never treat a patron the way my friend was treated. This experience has negated every other experience I have had at Cavender. I fully expect for this event to be rectified. I have a significant social following and I have no problems sharing this experience on social media. I am mortified for the owners of this establiment if this is who they have...

You know you love a winery when you make an effort to return to it a couple of years after the first time. Northern Georgia is a destination for us, and we have come to love it, and when we find a place we like, we make sure to come back.

And that explains how and why we found ourselves back at Cavender Creek Winery recently. While they have an ample selection of sweeter wines made from the local muscadines, their menu runs the spectrum to very dry.

This time around our brother-in-law was with us. My wife and he opted for Amendment 21, a premium off-dry wine, and I chose the Cabernet Franc. Both are reds and delightfully refreshing. I conveniently forgot to photograph the hummus and veggies tray, but that’s probably because I was simply too hungry to remember.

With by-the-glass prices at $12-14, and bottles running $35-40, Cavender Creek products are priced very well compared to other wineries in the region. You won’t go broke drinking these wines.

The atmosphere both inside and out on the deck are perfectly suited for sipping and enjoying the company of those you bring along. Picnic tables extend the reach out onto a side lawn. And the two-story cabin in front is high on our list for a future overnight.

One last thing: If you are using Google Maps to get you here, do not be surprised when Googie, our favorite Voice Assistant, pronounces it “ca-VEN-der.” Trust your instincts. It really is pronounced “CAV-en-der.”

UPDATE: We live this place so much that we came back again. This time I remembered to shoot the hummus...