Apples made Ellijay famous, but the hills around town now grow a fair amount of wine grapes too. Gilmer County has enough vineyards, cideries and breweries that the Chamber of Commerce publishes a “Sips” trail to tie them together. Add a couple of tasting rooms to an orchard day and you have a full weekend.
This guide lists the stops on the Chamber’s trail with their published addresses. We have kept descriptions short on purpose: hours, tasting fees and food options change often, so check each business before you go.
Cider
Reece’s Cider Company, 9110 GA-52 East, Ellijay. Hard ciders made from the family’s own estate-grown apples, with sixteen on tap when we last checked, and live music and food trucks most weekends. It sits across from B.J. Reece Orchards on the Highway 52 apple house drive.
House of Applejay, 67 Fowler Street, Building B, East Ellijay. Listed on the Sips trail and close to downtown, so it is an easy stop if you are staying in town. Check its current menu before you go.
Vineyards and wineries
| Stop | Address |
|---|---|
| Buckley Vineyards | 708 Henry Evans Road, Ellijay |
| Cartecay Vineyards | 5704 Clear Creek Road, Ellijay |
| Chateau Meichtry | 1862 Orchard Lane, Talking Rock |
| Ellijay River Vineyards | 111 River Birch Lane, Ellijay |
| Engelheim Vineyards | 120 Lakeview Road, Ellijay |
| Grapes & Ladders | 2317 GA-382 West, Ellijay |
| Ott Vineyards & Winery | 230 Henry Evans Road, Ellijay |
| Roo Mountain Vineyards | 120 Lakeview Road, Ellijay |
A few notes from the wineries’ own descriptions and Atlanta Magazine’s coverage:
- Cartecay Vineyards pours in a restored barn from the 1890s.
- Engelheim Vineyards focuses on estate-grown wines and often has music on weekends.
- Chateau Meichtry offers Saturday tours and weekend music.
- Buckley and Ott are neighbors on Henry Evans Road, so they pair naturally.
Breweries
Cartecay River Brewing, 24 River Terrace, sits right by the river near downtown.
Cartecay Bike Shop Brewery, 493 North Main Street, combines a bike shop and a taproom, which makes sense in a town known for mountain biking.
Planning a tasting day
- Have a designated driver. The roads between vineyards are rural, dark at night and full of curves. If nobody wants to skip the tastings, book a ride or ask your lodging about local drivers.
- Pick two or three stops. The vineyards are spread across the county, and tasting rooms often close by early evening.
- Check the calendar. Weekends bring music and crowds, and some wineries take reservations for larger groups. Some close or shorten hours in winter.
- Eat first. Not every tasting room has a full kitchen.
- Bring ID. Everyone tasting must be 21 or older.
To compare Ellijay with Dahlonega, Blue Ridge, Helen and Blairsville, see our North Georgia wine trail planner.
Pair a tasting with an orchard stop for cider donuts and a jug of fresh (non-alcoholic) cider. See the apple treats guide for what to look for, and our downtown Ellijay guide for dinner afterward.
Sources and further reading
Facts in this article were checked against these sources on October 30, 2026. Hours, fees and seasons change, so confirm before you go.
