For our actual anniversary date, we decided to spend the day exploring a couple of local wineries near Ellijay, Georgia. With beautiful vineyards, wine tastings and plenty of places to sit and relax, it was the perfect way to celebrate together.

Our First Stop: Engelheim Vineyards

Our first stop was Engelheim Vineyards. It is a lovely winery with a beautiful view overlooking the vineyard.

We ordered a meat and cheese tray, found a comfortable spot and settled in for our tasting. There is something extra special about enjoying good wine and a delicious snack while looking out over rows of grapevines.

My favorite wine from the tasting was the Providence. I enjoyed it so much that I bought a bottle to take home. A bottle of wine from our anniversary outing also makes a wonderful souvenir—and gives us an excuse to enjoy the experience again later!

Next Stop: Grapes and Ladders Winery

Our next stop was Grapes and Ladders Winery. The colorful mural on the side of the building immediately caught my attention and made the winery feel fun and welcoming.

Inside, the tasting room had warm wood walls and a relaxed, rustic atmosphere. We enjoyed another wine tasting and brought home souvenir glasses to remember our visit.

Grapes and Ladders also has a lovely covered outdoor seating area overlooking the vineyard. There were tables, Adirondack chairs, pretty landscaping and plenty of shade—everything you need for a relaxing afternoon with a glass of wine.

Dog-Friendly—But Ours Stayed at the Cabin!

Both wineries offer outdoor seating and welcome well-behaved dogs. Our dogs are a little too crazy for a peaceful winery afternoon, so Indie and Katana stayed behind at the cabin to take their naps!

They probably preferred the air conditioning and quiet time anyway—and we were able to relax without worrying about what kind of trouble they might find.

A Cool Treat for a Hot Georgia Day

Both wineries also offered wine slushies. We did not try one during this visit, but they sounded delicious and would be perfect on a hot Georgia afternoon.

That may have to go on our list for next time!

The Perfect Anniversary Afternoon

Our winery day was a wonderful way to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed beautiful scenery, relaxed tastings, a delicious meat and cheese tray and a little souvenir shopping.

If you are visiting Ellijay or spending time in the North Georgia mountains, Engelheim Vineyards and Grapes and Ladders Winery are both worth adding to your itinerary. Whether you prefer sitting inside the tasting room or relaxing outdoors near the vines, each winery offers its own charming atmosphere.

Sometimes the best anniversary celebration is simply slowing down, enjoying the scenery and sharing a bottle—or a tasting—with the person you love.

Happy travels!

Fancy Nancy Tip: Bring a designated driver, in my case hubby. He does not really like wine and just took sips which meant more for me! You could also arrange transportation or choose one person to enjoy only nonalcoholic options. That way, everyone can relax and enjoy the day safely.