Tasting Room
At Sylvan Valley Lodge and Cellars, we believe experiencing local wines and craft beers should be an adventure for the soul. British Travel Writer Pico Lyer once said. “A traveler is really not someone who crosses ground so much as someone who is always hungry for the next challenge and adventure.” To that, we say, “Welcome traveler, your adventure awaits!”
Tasting Room Hours
Home of the Frolicking Faerie Wines, our Tasting Room is open to the public Fridays and Saturdays 1pm-6pm. Other days/times are available for groups of 8 or more by appointment. We offer tastings of our Frolicking Faerie wines. In addition, we also have other our wines available by the glass or bottle, craft beers, hard ciders, and cheese and charcuterie plates for two—packed to go so you can enjoy them anywhere on our property, or take them with you on your wine adventure. Staying? We do wine tastings for our guests daily.
Group Tastings
Group wine tastings, with or without lunch, for chartered bus/limo tours or groups of 8 or more individuals are available through the week and on weekends by reservation only, scheduled at least 48 hours in advance of your tasting. For more information or the reserve a group tasting, please email info@sylvanvalleylodge.com or call 706.865.7371.
Tasting Fees
Taste 6 wines for $12
Pet Policy
Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in the tasting room and outdoor areas at management discretion.
Learn More About Frolicking Faerie Wines
Frolicking Faerie Wines
If you drink enough wine, you’ll see Faeries…
If you drink a little bit more, they’ll tell you their names. Let us introduce you to the Faeries we have met so far on our wine adventures.
WARNING! Drinking the Faerie Wine may cause an inability to fly, but drastically improves your ability to see Faeries.
Our Current Selection:
Frolicking Faerie Blanche (Dry, White)
Grapes sourced from the Texas Hill Country, Texas
A refreshing Georgia made, Texas grown Blanc du Bois. Zesty acidity takes the first punch, remaining brightly balanced and explosive on the palate, with notes of white peach, grapefruit and tropical lychee.
Frolicking Faerie Sapphira (Dry, White)
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
100% Georgia grown Pinot Blanc. Tart and ripe in grapefruit and lime, this is an easygoing quaff with buzzy acidity enjoyable on a summer’s day or at a casual gathering. Light, it finishes muted and fast.
Frolicking Faerie Grace (Sweet, White) – Award Winner
*Georgia Trustees Wine Competition for 2016, Silver Award
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
This delightful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Vidal Blanc is just sweet enough, but lightly and delicately so. Overall, very balanced, an elegant wisp of a off-dry wine with acidity that lingers through the mid-palate.
Frolicking Faerie Sybil (Dry, Rose) – Award Winner
*Georgia Trustees Wine Competition for 2016 & 2017, Bronze Award
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
This European style dry Rose is made from Georgia Vidal Blanc and Cynthiana. Light, with fruitful undertones and a crisp dry, lingering finish.
Frolicking Faerie Wylder (Dry, White) – Award Winner
*Georgia Trustees Wine Competition for 2016, Silver Award
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
Spicy acidity lies beneath the richness of this 100% un-oaked Chardonnay, providing balance, freshness and a lightness on the palate that surprises. Meyer lemon, salty caramel and a feral overtone of forested woods combine effortlessly to intrigue and delight.
Frolicking Faerie Freyja (Dry, Red)
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
This 100% barrel-fermented Cabernet Franc varietal is a beautifully balanced wine with medium body and nicely firm tannins supporting fairly rich brambleberry fruits and spicy accents. It is sleek and agile rather than big and rich, and its appetizing texture makes it really versatile at lunch or dinner.
Frolicking Faerie Briar (Dry, Rosé)
Grapes sourced from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, Georgia
A lovely unfiltered wine, understated and elegant; wood aged (French Oak), with subtle herb, cherry and oak flavors. It is rounded, ripe and full of dry, final tannins and acidity that display a seamless quality and complexity that make you reach for a second glass.
Frolicking Faerie Callie (Dry, Red) – COMING SOON
Grapes sourced from the Lodi AVA, California
100% Syrah is almost ready to be bottled. Look for it in late August or early September.
Frolicking Faerie Astrid (Dry, White) – COMING SOON
Grapes sourced from the Lodi AVA, California
100% Viognier is waiting patiently in the wings. Available late August or early September.
Learn More About Frolicking Faerie Wines
Visit us today to purchase Frolicking Faerie Wine, or visit our Tasting Room to learn more about our unique variety of wines.
Our Winemaker
Georgia Grown
At just 23 years old, our winemaker and Georgia native, John Boyes, has been working in the Georgia wine industry for 8 years beginning in a local vineyard at the age of 15. His experience includes working under the tutelage of such Georgia greats as Ariel Padawer, vineyard manager and head winemaker at Kaya Vineyards (formerly Blackstock), Andrew Beaty, UC Davis and California trained former head winemaker at Habersham Vineyards, Joe Smith of Serenity Cellars and consulting winemaker for many other wineries including Yonah Mountain Vineyards and The Cottage Vineyard and Winery, and most recently, Larry Lykins of Cartecay Vineyards who is a pioneer in the northwest Georgia wine scene. Through his work with these winemakers, he has had an opportunity to work side be side with many others in the industry.
In addition, he has traveled the French countryside visiting many old world vintners. Once they realized he was both fluent in French and an aspiring winemaker, many took him on private tours and spent time showing him how they do things. A few even offered him internships and employment. The combination of working with formally trained, self taught, and generational winemakers has led to a philosophy and style of winemaking uniquely his own.
Believing that wine is made in the Vineyard, John carefully selects the best possible fruit for our Frolicking Faerie Wines. Most of the grapes used in our production are grown locally in some of our amazing Georgia vineyards. With minimal processing and interference, our wines are cellared and aged allowing the wine to mature until it is ready to be bottled.
Wine as Art
"The real art happens within the grapes themselves, and that takes place in the vineyard. That's where the real skill is. In making a wine, I see myself more as a curator, but that's important as well. Knowing how to show the genius of the art and make it accessible, that, to me, is the role of a winemaker. In the end the interpreting of it is up to each person according to their individual palate."
—John Boyes
