Rabun vineyard cottages offer simplicity, elegance

Travel

Persimmon Creek Vineyards in Clayton is picturesque grapevines framed by lush woodlands, a quaint red barn and abundant flora including wildflowers, sunflowers and poppies. This rolling Rabun County farmland, about 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, is a 110-acre estate owned by Dr. William "Sonny" and Mary Ann Hardman. It's grown to support a successful winemaking business and offers overnight stays after building three high-end cottages.

The main house and barn at Persimmon Creek Vineyards. Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Ga., offers picturesque grapevines framed by lush woodlands, a quaint red barn and abundant flora. This rolling Rabun County farmland, 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, is a 110-acre estate owned by Dr. William and Mary Ann Hardman. The vineyard supports a successful winemaking business. Only recently has the vineyard hosted overnight guests, thanks to the construction of three luxury cottages.

Sassafras cottage is a two-bedroom, 2.5 bath cottage. Designed to reflect the beauty of the landscape, the cottages were "built in the tradition of A.J. Downing, a landscaper from the 19th century who founded the movement toward local architecture. All the building materials are local and natural to this area.

The downstairs living area of Sassafras cabin. It houses the largest kitchen. It can also accommodate the largest group, since the upstairs bedroom has two beds. Beamed ceilings in the living room and master bath are offset by an elegant design style with a hint of femininity.

Claudia Penland enjoys a glass of wine with a bath in the upstairs bathroom of Sassafras cabin at Persimmon Creek.

Hickory cottage, the two-bedroom 2.5 bath cottage has a bedroom on each level plus 2 1/2 bathrooms, one of which has a deep porcelain bathtub large enough for two, and a swing bed on the large front porch.

The downstairs bedroom of Hickory cottage.All three cottages feature stone wood-burning fireplaces, bathrooms that are spalike havens with deep bathtubs and multihead showers, kitchens equipped with professional-grade appliances (including Viking stoves), cozy living rooms with designer furnishings and outdoor living spaces.

Fiddlehead cabin, the one-bedroom cottage. Rustic and masculine, this design features wood paneling in the living room and wood countertops in the kitchen. The main bathroom features two side-by-side copper tubs in a nook overlooking a wooded valley.

Jasmine Howard enjoys a glass of wine on the porch swing of Fiddlehead cabin. When visiting Persimmon Creek Vineyards you can enjoy a private tour and wine tasting and then wander through the estate guided by a detailed map painted by artist Bob Francisco.

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The main house and barn at Persimmon Creek Vineyards. Persimmon Creek in Clayton, Ga., offers picturesque grapevines framed by lush woodlands, a quaint red barn and abundant flora. This rolling Rabun County farmland, 100 miles northeast of Atlanta, is a 110-acre estate owned by Dr. William and Mary Ann Hardman. The vineyard supports a successful winemaking business. Only recently has the vineyard hosted overnight guests, thanks to the construction of three luxury cottages.

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