Nutwood Winery
Your Journey to a Wonderland of Good Tastes Awaits
By Natalie Downey
Tucked into a lush valley, surrounded by vineyards and some of the oldest pecan trees in Georgia, Nutwood Winery nestles quietly into its home spot in LaGrange.
Georgia is known for many things, but wineries aren’t typically one of them. Owners Neil and Trish Liechty say the idea to open a winery came about while they were sitting on their porch. “Neil was bored,” Trish laughs, “And he said, pointing across the yard, ‘Why don’t we build a winery over there?’”
Though the couple didn’t have previous experience building a winery, they did have experience visiting wineries, one of their favorite pastimes – and they had a vision for what they wanted to create. Plus, they had plenty of experience working together over their 30-year partnership, much of it in the food and hospitality industry.
The name Nutwood came from the pecan trees on the property which were the first pecan trees planted in Georgia in 1833. Today the trees shade the green expanse of the winery, offering some respite from the Georgia sun. Nutwood sits on 13 acres of Georgia land, where the summer sun ripens the grapes to juicy perfection, ready to be turned into mouth-watering wine.
Once they had settled the decision to build a winery, the Liechtys immediately got to work planting an vineyard, learning the skills they needed along the way. Today, they grow and locally source as many of their ingredients as possible.
There’s plenty to do at Nutwood, whether you want to stay for the day or enjoy an evening out.
From board games to movie nights on the lawn to live music every weekend, the venue has a beautiful and welcoming facility. “Most people come and stay for two – four hours,” Trish says.
There are eighteen custom-blended wines on the menu, all made at Nutwood. “We’re always in production,” Trish says. “There’s not a time we don’t have wine in our vats.”
Some of Nutwood’s unique offerings include their most popular wine, called Blackberry 36, which is a muscadine wine infused with moonshine. At 36 proof, the wine is one of the strongest you can find. For the indecisive, a wine tasting option allows you to taste up to five of Nutwood’s wines.
The Liechtys have their own personal favorites: For Trish it’s the Pinot Grigio; Neil’s favorite is the sweet muscadine honey blend.
As the holidays near, the Liechtys are working on a special blend which will be a muscadine wine with cranberry and spices, sure to put you in a festive mood.
Nutwood also offers a full menu featuring made-from-scratch food, from mouth-watering shrimp and grits to their steaming, cheesy baked ziti.
Nutwood stays connected to its Georgia roots, and plenty of nods to the state’s heritage can be found on their menu. Pecan, honeysuckle, and nectarine are just a few of the flavors found throughout their recipes. “We have a great variety,” Trish explains. “From sweet to dry, we have anything you like.” Wine slushies are also a big hit at Nutwood, a refreshing way to cool down in the southern heat. Nutwood also has a beer menu for “the guy who’s here but doesn’t want to be,” Trish laughs.
The Liechtys spend as much time interacting with the community as their visitors enjoy spending time at their winery, and they organize events specifically designed to delight their neighbors and visitors. Next year, they look forward to hosting their first annual grape stomping festival, which will feature live music and the chance to “get your feet wet” in the winemaking process.. The festival will take place next August.
Nutwood is a much-loved venue for bridal showers, brunches, luncheons, and special occasions, offering the capacity for parties of 25-50. A reservation can be made on their website at nutwoodwinery.com
Neil and Trish’s newest endeavor has been a restaurant in downtown LaGrange, the Nutwood Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar. All of their wines can be enjoyed at the restaurant along with a full menu featuring handmade southern cuisine.
For the Liechtys, hosting the community is rewarding, and the community has supported their ventures wholeheartedly. “We’ve had a great response,” Trish says. “Our community is very supportive and close – we’re super blessed, they’ve supported us abundantly.”
Nutwood Winery is open Friday – Saturday from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm, and Sunday from 12:30 pm – 6:00 pm. For more information visit nutwoodwinery.com, and for information about their movie nights and other community events, visit their Facebook and Instagram @nutwoodwinery.