Ott Vineyards And Winery — Attraction in Talking Rock

Not ideal for a large party!

Beautiful views and a lovely facility! With that said, much of our frustration started due to the inclement weather. Our large, senior adult birthday party was supposed to be outside but could not due to the rain. While the weather is unavoidable the way it is managed certainly is controllable. We paid a fee up front so I honestly expected more. To clarify, the larger main room was uncomfortably loud - shouting to talk to your table of people loud. A significant part of the noise problem was the live music. While the singer was talented she was amplified far too much for the space. People come to enjoy the view and friends/family, not to see a rock concert!!! We mentioned to the staff that the music was too loud. They told us to talk to the singer as it was up to her. My understanding is that the facility should oversee the comfort of their guest and should take action on their behalf. Am I way off base?!?!? Regardless, we did as instructed and the music was reduced slightly for a couple songs and then went back to louder than ever. With the loud atmosphere, we attempted to set up in the smaller room where we could close the door to the main area. I mean, didn’t we pay ahead for a private party? For reasons unknown to me, we were moved back into the larger space where we could no longer hear members of our 20 or so birthday party guests. On top of that, another party of nasty drunk women were harassing our group once we were moved. There were multiple confrontation with this trashy women but it was too loud in the room for any of the staff to notice. We didn’t bother to bring it to the staffs attention since we were told to deal with the music situation on our own. It was not ideal in the slightest!! The ‘entertainment’ needs to be reevaluated, especially on days people cannot escape to the outdoor space, and noise reduction methods should be considered in the large cafeteria seating hall. If we go back it will be as small, intimate groups and only when the weather allows us to sit outside. I do not suggest hosting a large party at...

As far as north Georgia vineyards go, this facility ranks a 4.5 stars out of 5 in my opinion. It’s nestled back and tucked back in so you are very purposeful in getting to it as there is almost nothing surrounding it but mountains and countryside. The facility inside lends itself to old French blended with American farmhouse appeal in its structure and decor. Hardly any wait to get a glass or bottle or a tasting as there is plenty of counter space and lots wine stewards happy to help you. Outside seating is out of this world scenic with acres of vineyard in the foreground which leads the eye to what seems to be endless cascading layers of mountains in the background. The musical stage is set slightly off to the right so it does not interfere with the visual pleasantries as described above. Food trucks seem to be a hit at this venue. Plenty of seating and tables with umbrellas. My wife and I went here for first time during covid and thought the limited wine menu had been a net result of the cursed “c” word of 2020 but returned two months ago and just found that we didn’t enjoy their reds as much as some of other wineries in area. But to each palette is different, so I’m not inferring that the wine is not good, it just wasn’t in...

Update: Bumping this up to a well-deserved 4.5 stars!

After posting my original review, I learned that Ott would offer charcuterie boards, if only Gilmer County didn’t have such a ridiculous regulation preventing them from doing so. Shame on the county for holding back wine and cheese greatness!

That said, Ott gets creative in the face of this restriction. They’ve got a cooler stocked with meats, cheeses, and snacks so you can DIY your own board, or you can bring your own picnic. Honestly, that’s way better than a sad, pre-packaged box from a grocery store. Major points for resourcefulness and keeping the wine vibes alive!

Ott Vineyard and Winery in Ellijay is a gem in North Georgia wine country. The parking is easy, the layout is inviting, and the vibe is spot on for a relaxing afternoon. I had the Golden Promise white wine - chilled, crisp, and perfect for a hot summer day.

The only thing keeping this from being a 5-star spot is the lack of an in-house charcuterie option. You can bring your own food, which I did, but having a curated board onsite would take the experience to the next level.

Ott Vineyards is absolutely...