Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery — Attraction in Talking Rock

A group of 4 friends bought summer concert tickets for this winery for $856 last week and thought to go and check it out. We entered the facility and sat at a table. We spent another $100 or more for wine and dinner (food truck). After we ate, we were thinking about getting another bottle of wine when the waitress came up and stated that a "Barrel Club Member" required our table and we needed to vacate for the member. Although everyone was nice, we were not offered another table, chairs at the bar, or anything. We were left standing awkwardly and embarrassed, with no other place to sit. We left amicably but were so upset, we forgot to close our bar bill out. I am 61 years old and have never had anything like this happen. I called back to settle the bill and make sure that the bartender was tipped. The manager just happened to answer the phone and I explained that we were asked to vacate our table. He apologized but stated that members pay a fee and must have a table.

The bartender and manager were very pleasant. The wine was great! The atmosphere was good (other than a very dark bathroom which did not lock). However, we spent approximately $1000 in the last week at this establishment and were asked to leave our table because we were not "in a club". We talked about canceling our tickets, but we are supposed to have a specific reserved table number. Hopefully a member is not able to kick us out of it!!!

Bottom line: Enjoy this place but please remember that if you are not in their wine club, a member can just take your table if they want it!

PS: THERE WAS NO SIGN UP and we saw them roping the area off as we were leaving. There were no signs on the tables either. We were NOT offered another table. It was suggested that we "find one ourselves" on the other side of the bar which we were willing to do; however, there was none available and a line out of the door. Because there was not a table available, we felt like we were "kicked out". While I sincerely appreciate that the manager tried to call me two times regarding this situation and we played telephone tag, ownership should be taken for this debacle. Since ownership of this problem was not acknowledged, I have now reduced this review from a 3 to a 2 star. If ownership would be admitted, I would have raised the review higher, as mistakes are made every day from all of us. Ownership looks like this.... "Thank you for letting us know about this situation. I am sorry for the mix up and we will ensure this doesn't happen to others by making sure our signs are up and visible on all tables affected in the future so that everyone knows where to sit, and our customers do not feel inadequate because they are not in...

Our friends are Barrel Club Members and invited us on a day trip. Not only will we be going back, but I highly recommend you go too! Having never been to a winery, I had no idea what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised. The land and ambiance, beautiful. The warm charm and welcoming staff made you feel at home as soon as you walked in the door. The wine tasting was darling, and we ended up choosing 2 bottles for our table.

However, those are not the only reasons we will be returning. The family that owns and runs the place are sincere, genuine, and kind. The father took us on a tour, even though it was raining. Sharing fun stories and charming history.

There was also a super uncomfortable situation with the table next to ours. So uncomfortable that the gentleman at that table assumed I was an employee and told me I should get their daughter a free chocolate cup. Awkward The young lady handling the situation, the owner's daughter, handled it with a smile and grace, never losing her cool. They could have easily asked the table to leave and all those surrounding them would have supported that decision. She didn't, she just diffused the problem and handled it with a poise that not many possess.

Any family run business that is run like that, is a business that I will absolutely support. We are now discussing becoming Barrel Club Members ourselves. Grab your friends and head to Chateau Meichtry. You can bring your own picnic or hit up the food truck when there is one. Enjoy good wine and music. Connect with family and friends. Make new friends. You can do all this and more knowing you're supporting a great...

Very beautiful property. Good wine and the hard-working ladies behind the bar were excellent. Our Mercedes Party Van with driver, carried 10 of us to several different vineyards throughout the day as we arranged our yearly wine outing through the North Georgia Mountains. The front was packed which is great, so we strolled through the back and down to the Adirondack chairs along the tree line to sit and take in the views in which we realized there were not enough seats as most were occupied. We then walked over to a little gazebo area and sat for a moment, not realizing at the time that it's for reserved guests only. Minor mistake on our part. Young man yells off the balcony down at as, through other guest, stating we cannot be down there, and assures us that the cost to sit there is $400 an hour and we have no permission to be there. It was the most non-professional experience I have witnessed in a long time. We then gradually get up to move to somewhere with shade, quickly to realize there is nowhere left to sit in the shade. To work in an environment of surrounded beauty and great company, it would be the utmost responsibility of the owner to teach this young man how to be professional and inviting around guests. Will we be back, absolutely not. Should you visit....probably. There are a lot more great Vineyards around the area so I suggest finding the ones with professionalism and ones that appreciate their guest spending money at their establishment. The saying goes, People will forget what you do, and they'll forget what you said. But they'll never forget how you made then feel. This is the wisest statement ever made by...