Kaya Vineyard & Winery — Attraction in Dahlonega

If you are about to be a first-time visitor or have only recently visited Kaya you’ll likely find it just fine. The scenery is beautiful, and the wines are great. However, if you’ve been visiting Kaya for years as my wife and I have they have really taken several steps down in food choice, food quality, and food presentation. Also, gone is the top-notch service from the staff. Food is served in plastic and cardboard containers with plastic utensils like an airport joint rather than the nice plates and silverware of a top notch winery which they were doing not that long ago.

Prior to a visit last Tuesday I checked the website for any recent changes and noticed they now only offer appetizers and snacks on Tuesdays. Not so bad they have some good choices (more on that in a moment) so our visit was on. When we arrived and stepped up to the counter there was only 1 staff member serving customers. No greeting, no acknowledgement. Hey, I can see your busy, no problem I can wait, but how about some kind of greeting so I know you know I’m here. We ordered a flight and went out to the lovely deck to enjoy the scenery. Having settled on a nice wine I went inside to order a bottle and appetizers. That’s when I was told “we don’t serve food on Tuesdays”. I brought up what I had seen online and was told, “yeah, I guess that hasn’t been updated.” I came out with our bottle and told my wife there would be no food. She had been chatting with another customer who mentioned they had gotten some crackers from a hostess inside, so my wife went in to check. She was told in a very rude voice by this employee, “we don’t have food on Tuesdays!” Well, I went in and told this rude employee I didn’t appreciate her talking to my wife like that and by the way, “you might want to check your website.” It’s been 3 months since Jeff V. wrote something similar in his review and it’s been over a week since my visit and the website still states they serve appetizers and snacks on Tuesday. And on the Dinner page of the website where they are listing the Red Wine choices, they have somehow managed to include the Turkey Caprese Club.

For me, they've lost the touches that made Kaya an outstanding experience. This experience was very disappointing given the very delightful visits we have had over the years to Kaya. We’ll not be going back, there are other nice choices in the area. Those experiencing 2024 Kaya I hope you have...

Prepare yourselves, fellow adventurers, for a tale of grape-fueled glory and off-road shenanigans! Our expedition to Kaya Winery led by none other than the legendary Ryan, the maestro of the wild and the sommelier of the sublime, was nothing short of an odyssey fit for the gods of Bacchus.

From the moment we revved up our 4x4 chariot, the thrill of anticipation coursed through our veins like the finest vintage. With Ryan at the helm, our journey transcended mere wine tasting and became an epic saga of swirling aromas, rugged terrain conquests, and taste bud revolutions.

As we navigated through the vineyard labyrinth, each turn revealed a new chapter of vinicultural marvels and untold stories of the grapevine. Ryan, with his encyclopedic knowledge and infectious enthusiasm, transformed our quest into a symphony of learning and libations.

Picture this: barrels of laughter echoing through the valley, the scent of adventure mingling with the fragrance of aged oak, and the taste of liquid poetry dancing on our tongues with every sip. Yes, my friends, this was not just a wine tour; it was a transcendental voyage to the very heart of vinous enlightenment — but with a sharkcoochie picnic!

And oh, the vistas! From panoramic views atop the hills to hidden alcoves nestled amidst the vines, every corner of Kaya Winery whispered secrets of terroir and tales of terpsichorean grapes. Ryan, the navigator extraordinaire and selfie king, led us on a merry dance through landscapes straight out of a fantasy novel, with a dash of Indiana Jones-esque flair!

In conclusion, dear wanderers of the grape realm, if you seek an adventure that transcends the ordinary and elevates the spirit to dizzying heights of hedonistic bliss, look no further than Kaya Winery and the enigmatic Ryan, your guide to the wine-soaked wonders of the world!

Embark on this journey, embrace the chaos, and let your palate be your compass as you navigate the untamed wilderness of wine country with the wind in your hair and a glass in hand. For in the immortal words of Ryan himself: “plug your cups, we’re goin’ on a ride!”

The Sisterhood of the...

Kaya is the newest winery in the area and has the advantage of location on the main coupled with a beautiful facility and view. Looking over the vineyard, they likely import their grapes as most vines were just planted. Moving into the tasting room, it is disorganized chaos ran by numerous kids that likely can barely consume wine themselves. Tasting options were 5 for $11 or 8 for $16, which puts this in line with staple brands in the area like Yonah Mtn. The wine amd experience is undeserving of this price point and they are likely making up for yhe costs of the facility. Going back to the tasting, we didn't have a designated l pourer and was constantly asked what wine is next. They never explained what wine we were drinking or anything about the vineyard itself. We visit wineries frequently and would have enjoyed to learn about how they make their wines, where the grapes come from, background of the winery, etc. Instead of having the kids run in circles taking care of patrons, I'd suggest this winery take a lesson from more experienced establishments and educate the employees and havr them exclusively responsible for 4-5 patrons. We will continue visiting the wineries/vineyards on the Dahlonega Trail and Unicoi Trail, but we definitely won't waste our time or money on this winery. I'd highly suggest you...