CeNita Vineyards & Winery

CeNita Vineyards & Winery in Cleveland, Georgia, pairs a vineyard-side tasting room with views of Yonah Mountain and a notably different red: Chambourcin aged in Woodford Reserve bourbon barrels. The North Georgia property has roots in Cecil and Juanita Crumley’s family farmland and dairy operation. Current owners Nathan and Brandi Barrett, both lifelong Cleveland residents, carry that family emphasis forward as owners since 2023.

Winemaker Robert Loomis is another Cleveland local, with experience at wineries across Georgia and the East Coast. Alongside the bourbon-barrel Chambourcin, CeNita makes Merlot, a lightly oaked Chardonnay, and Summer Breeze, a light-bodied white with citrus and pear notes. The Chambourcin is the clearest point of difference, bringing bourbon-barrel spice to its blackberry and dark-cherry flavors.

Visiting centers on the Original Tasting Room, Dock’s Place Tasting Room, and the Vineyard Lawn—a good fit for travelers who prefer time with a glass and a mountain view over a tightly scheduled stop. For more explanation, personalized tastings provide individual flight boards and a dedicated guide: four wines cost $35 per person, six cost $45, and advance reservations are required. The winery opens daily, with later evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. Groups of seven or more need to call ahead for reservations.