Montaluce Winery is a Tuscan-themed property that boasts a sprawling vineyard that will be on line in a few years.
It's been years since I have been to Dahlonega, Georgia. I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit. This North Georgia town has been able to retain its charm while offering new attractions, restaurants and shops. I recently visited Montaluce Winery, a village that has Tuscan-style housing and a first-rate winery with an awesome lobby bar, restaurant, cask room and brand-spanking new equipment. It all makes Chad Ortis, Director of Food & Beverage, quite excited.
On a recent weekend, my child Caitlin participated in a grape stomping contest. While she squeezed out an impressive amount of juice, she was bested by a much heavier boy.
If you would like to stay at Montaluce, look into one the Cottage Vigna Vista. This perfectly furnished cottage is well worth it. The Cottage Vigna Vista has a full kitchen, outddor wood burning fireplace and an awesome view of their vineyard.
For more information visit:
Montaluce Winery
Phone: 1-706-867-4060
Cottage reservation line is: 1-800-251-4385
After the Montaluce, we went to the town's Public Square where I tasted more wine at the Dahlonega Tasting Room. Owner Angelia Wilson treated me to nearby Habersham Winery's fine muscadine.
To contact Angelia or anyone at the tasting room, call 1-706-864-8275.
We were a bit hungry, so we elected to eat at the Crimson Moon Cafe. The restaurant was written up in Southern Living, but on this evening it didn't live up to the write-up. The understaffed restaurant served me a salad with a hair in it. Plus, the dinner entrees were not so stellar. My wife ordered an oversized bland Southwest Salad while I had a Thai-style Tofu concoction that tasted like something that I would have made for one of my Super-8mm movies several years ago. See Outer Pit and the Space Pendulem which features a scene where we made our own blood.
Perhaps Crimson Moon concentrates more on their entertainment. Great acts like folk singer John McCutcheon appear in their cozy downstairs. I stayed upstairs and heard some great music. It's a shame that the food doesn't match the music -- at least in the evening. Since I'm extremely nice, I would definitely give this place another chance. I'm sure it was just an off-night. Plus, great talent like McCutcheon shouldn't be missed because of a few kitchen glitches.
Crimson Moon features great music and not-so-great dinner entrees. Perhaps I should stop in for lunch one day.
How in the heck do I get there?
Dahlonega, Georgia is located about 90 minutes (77 miles) north of Atlanta. If you are renting a car, simply go to I-85 north and travel about 17 miles until you get to Georgia 400 North. Once you get on Georgia 400, be prepared to pay a 50 cent toll. From there, travel another 50 miles north until you get to US-19/GA-60. Make a left and travel about five miles and make a slight right on US-19/GA-52/GA-60/East Main Street. From there turn left onto North Park Street.
