reviews

“I give everyone hugs,” Dante said as he came up with open arms and embraced me. He did the same to my friend.

“Nice to meet you,” we both said, pleasantly surprised by the gesture.

I was using a much-delayed Christmas gift, “a wine hike for two” from Georgia Wine Hiking that my friend had found on Groupon. We realized the gift was about to expire, so alas, here we were, uncertain of what the “wine hike” would entail. I was secretly hoping for wine tastings along the trail.

We were wary at first, as the GPS directed us through the winding small towns of North Georgia’s countryside. We arrived rolling down a dirt path that led to a padlocked gate. After re-consulting our GPS, we officially arrived at the Visitor Center of Victoria Bryant State Park, a modest 475 acre park near Franklin Springs in North Georgia.

Now here we were, congregated in the parking lot outside waiting as the remaining members of our group trickled in. As each group arrived, mainly couples, Dante greeted them, “Are you Mike and Sarah?”

“Uh, no- Jeff and Lisa.”

“Ah! Welcome!” and he gave them a hug.

When we set out on the trail, Dante had no shortage of icebreakers and brainteasers.

What was one thing everyone needed to know about your companion?

What is at the beginning of everything, the end of time and the middle of a sentence? (the letter E!)

And at one point as I had unintentionally picked up the pace, Dante made me recite my favorite salmon recipe while everyone caught up.

During our 5.5 mile hike, Dante was needle that threaded the group together, building a sense of bonhomie, so that by the end of our journey we felt like a loosely knitted scarf. One guy was going to Australia to get his MBA (he also conveniently left his shoes at home and did the whole hike in flip flops), another worked in UGA’s College of Business, and one lady was a competitive horse jumper.

But perhaps the most interesting person on the hike was Dante himself. Beyond his jollity, his hobbies and background were equally intriguing. Born in Persia, he spent time in Colorado before coming to Atlanta in 1995. While his career lies in engineering and IT consulting, Dante is passionate about the outdoors. He lives on a farm outside Athens, where he practices organic gardening and raises chickens and other farm animals. He leads his wine hikes twice a week, and also guides wine kayaking trips. What is most ironic is the fact that Dante does not actually drink wine.

As it turns out, there was no drinking wine while we hiked. Our hike at Victoria Bryant State Park was fairly easy, with minimal inclines, however we did work up an appetite (and thirst) by the end. Dante provided us with a picnic, which included carrots, kale and arugula from his garden. Then we caravanned to the winery, which was about 20 minutes away.

Messages:

Thanks for a great day. Enjoyed all of it. Rusty and SheilA

Messages:

Michael and I had a wonderful time yesterday on our Wine Hike. I loved the trails at Victoria Bryant State Park, the lunch you provided was delicious and the tasting at Boutier Winery was really fun. I enjoyed meeting and talking with Mary and Victor. Thank you so much for a great day and a memorable birthday for Michael! Happy week to you!

Ann

Ann Olsen

Dante:

Thought you might want to add these pictures to your collection of very satisfied customers/hikers. Glenn Sims and I enjoyed the day very much. Can’t believe we went all the way up to the very top…. with a lot of encouragement from you and the other hikers. Rave reviews.

Diane Hoffman

Thanks man! We had a blast!! Such a great time today.

Edward Francis

Hi Dante,

I want you to know that my sister and I really enjoyed this outing! I have been highly recommending it to all my friends.

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

I forgot to give you my voucher before you left Sunday. I’m so sorry. One of the other ladies told me that she emailed her voucher number to you so that you can get paid. I am more than willing to do that if I need to please just let me know what you prefer for me to do.

Thanks again,

Glennisia

Dante I hope u r well this Monday morning.

I just have to tell u we enjoyed Saturdays hike so much!

Thanks for ll u do and keep up the good work!

Kim & Shane

Hi Dante,

Simply wanted to tell you how much I truly enjoyed yesterdays excursion. Despite a slight injury, I will truly relish yesterdays experience.

You are an excellent Outdoorsman and are truly FIT. Thank you so much for having me join your event and making me feel so welcome.

Thanks also for helping with my injury.

Catherine

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks for organizing the event,- Carol

Hi Dante, I wanted to thank you for a wonderful day on the trail. I think every woman was satisfied with the amount of effort and the beautiful wilderness. I am looking forward to another hike and the picture you took. happy trails WW Roxann

Hello, Dante, I had a fantastic time on the hike. I thought it was perfect just the way it was. It was nice that we had a small group because it allowed a lot of flexibility. Hope that you are having a great week! Take care, Rebecca

Thank you for the pictures and the website. It was so much fun hiking with you. It felt great making it to the top of Standing Indian. You have a beautiful spirit which made the whole trip (even the uphill parts) a positive experience. I feel blessed to have had such a positive, good person as a hiking partner. You got lucky I was so tired or I would have talked even more. I was so tired it was an effort to even put my words together to make a sentence to speak. Ha! Lucky for you!

I told the kids about your newly named cat “Karma”. The twins asked if they could see a picture.

If you have a chance, they would love that.

Take care! I am glad to have made a new friend in the Atlanta area. If my husband gets to Atlanta soon on business and I still have grapefruit and oranges that are good, I will have him bring some up for you. Have a great day! -Debbie

Hi Dante!

Thanks for another great hike! You really did a great job of making sure everyone had a good time. You’re incredible!

Eight hugs a day, huh?- Marshall

Hi Dante,

I just wanted to say Thanks for leading another outstanding outing. That will be one of my all time favorites. A hike, meeting the Amish, fresh veggies, sticky buns and a ride with a pig! Wow what a day!

Carol

Dante

Thanks for leading a great hike with plenty great scenery, stimulating discussions and outstanding intelligent/ good looking women.

John

Dante:

Diane Hoffman

Thanks man! We had a blast!! Such a great time today.

Edward Francis

Hi Dante,

I want you to know that my sister and I really enjoyed this outing! I have been highly recommending it to all my friends.

Thanks again,

Glennisia

Dante I hope u r well this Monday morning.

I just have to tell u we enjoyed Saturdays hike so much!

Thanks for ll u do and keep up the good work!

Kim & Shane

Hi Dante,

Simply wanted to tell you how much I truly enjoyed yesterdays excursion. Despite a slight injury, I will truly relish yesterdays experience.

You are an excellent Outdoorsman and are truly FIT. Thank you so much for having me join your event and making me feel so welcome.

Thanks also for helping with my injury.

Catherine

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks for organizing the event,- Carol

I told the kids about your newly named cat “Karma”. The twins asked if they could see a picture.

If you have a chance, they would love that.

Hi Dante!

Thanks for another great hike! You really did a great job of making sure everyone had a good time. You’re incredible!

Eight hugs a day, huh?- Marshall

Hi Dante,

Carol

Dante,

Thanks for leading a great hike with plenty great scenery, stimulating discussions and outstanding intelligent/ good looking women.

John

Dante,

Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how much I enjoyed the hike and wine tasting

yesterday! It was a great group whenand you did a great job with all of the details. The organic gardening

sounds very interesting and I would love to see it sometime.

Have a great week!

Take care,

Paul

Messages:

Thanks for a great day. Enjoyed all of it. Rusty and SheilA

Messages:

Ann

Ann Olsen

Dante:

Diane Hoffman

Thanks man! We had a blast!! Such a great time today.

Edward Francis

Hi Dante,

I want you to know that my sister and I really enjoyed this outing! I have been highly recommending it to all my friends.

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks again,

Glennisia

Dante I hope u r well this Monday morning.

I just have to tell u we enjoyed Saturdays hike so much!

Thanks for ll u do and keep up the good work!

Kim & Shane

Hi Dante,

Simply wanted to tell you how much I truly enjoyed yesterdays excursion. Despite a slight injury, I will truly relish yesterdays experience.

You are an excellent Outdoorsman and are truly FIT. Thank you so much for having me join your event and making me feel so welcome.

Thanks also for helping with my injury.

Catherine

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks for organizing the event,- Carol

I told the kids about your newly named cat “Karma”. The twins asked if they could see a picture.

If you have a chance, they would love that.

Hi Dante!

Thanks for another great hike! You really did a great job of making sure everyone had a good time. You’re incredible!

Eight hugs a day, huh?- Marshall

Hi Dante,

Carol

Dante,

Thanks for leading a great hike with plenty great scenery, stimulating discussions and outstanding intelligent/ good looking women.

John

Ann Olsen

Dante:

Diane Hoffman

Thanks man! We had a blast!! Such a great time today.

Edward Francis

Hi Dante,

I want you to know that my sister and I really enjoyed this outing! I have been highly recommending it to all my friends.

Thanks again,

Glennisia

Dante I hope u r well this Monday morning.

I just have to tell u we enjoyed Saturdays hike so much!

Thanks for ll u do and keep up the good work!

Kim & Shane

Hi Dante,

Simply wanted to tell you how much I truly enjoyed yesterdays excursion. Despite a slight injury, I will truly relish yesterdays experience.

You are an excellent Outdoorsman and are truly FIT. Thank you so much for having me join your event and making me feel so welcome.

Thanks also for helping with my injury.

Catherine

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks for organizing the event,- Carol

I told the kids about your newly named cat “Karma”. The twins asked if they could see a picture.

If you have a chance, they would love that.

Hi Dante!

Thanks for another great hike! You really did a great job of making sure everyone had a good time. You’re incredible!

Eight hugs a day, huh?- Marshall

Hi Dante,

Carol

Dante,

Thanks for leading a great hike with plenty great scenery, stimulating discussions and outstanding intelligent/ good looking women.

John

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Messages:

HI – My parents hiked with you today and they raved about the trip. My husband and I are scheduled to hike with you on the 13th. Are we going on the same trip as they just did? I hope so! :)Jen

Business Name: winetastingjourneys winekayaking

Rating:

Reviewer: Jessica L

Review on: Trip Advisor

Posted on: 11/12/2013 0:00

Thanks so much for the pictures and for a wonderful experience, we had a great time! I’m sure we’ll see you on another adventure sometime. Do you happen to have the group picture we all took? If so I’d love to have a copy!

Thanks again,

Anna

We had a great time!

thank you so much

Sonya

Patrice

Thank you! We had an awesome time. It was such a great experience.

Hi Dante and Happy Monday-

We really enjoyed the hike and your love of nature and feisty spirit made it all the more worthwhile! Thanks so much for the pictures. I am sure we will see you again ☺

Stay warm my friend,

Terica

We had a terrific time with Dante kayaking along the river in Georgia! It was such a peaceful ride- one of the most peaceful afternoons I have experienced in a long time. Then, he prepared a lunch for our group, which was made of foods he grows at home. So delicious! We made our way to a beautiful and quaint winery where the owners shared their unique wines with us. I recommend the peach wine 🙂 Overall, a fantastic afternoon adventure on a beautiful day!

Ann

Ann Olsen

Diane Hoffman

Thanks man! We had a blast!! Such a great time today.

Edward Francis

I want you to know that my sister and I really enjoyed this outing! I have been highly recommending it to all my friends.

Thanks again,

Glennisia

Dante I hope u r well this Monday morning.

I just have to tell u we enjoyed Saturdays hike so much!

Thanks for ll u do and keep up the good work!

Kim & Shane

Simply wanted to tell you how much I truly enjoyed yesterdays excursion. Despite a slight injury, I will truly relish yesterdays experience.

You are an excellent Outdoorsman and are truly FIT. Thank you so much for having me join your event and making me feel so welcome.

Thanks also for helping with my injury.

Catherine

Probably my favorite outing so far; I really enjoyed it and would welcome the chance to go back and learn more.

Thanks for organizing the event,- Carol

I told the kids about your newly named cat “Karma”. The twins asked if they could see a picture.

If you have a chance, they would love that.

Thanks for another great hike! You really did a great job of making sure everyone had a good time. You’re incredible!

Eight hugs a day, huh?- Marshall

Carol

Thanks for leading a great hike with plenty great scenery, stimulating discussions and outstanding intelligent/ good looking women.

john

http://wineryjourneys.com