The secret to a happy marriage is being able to pursue one’s individual passions, and when that occurs simultaneously even better! As it happens my husband loves hunting, and I love exploring luxury hotels around the world so discovering a destination that covers both passions is not always easy to find. This past weekend we traveled to Gay, Georgia with some friends to visit Quercus, a new Relais & Chateaux property in a most unexpected location that ended up making both of us happy as the main aspect that attracted me to Quercus (aside from the Michelin- starred meals, European inspired decor and unbelievable farm) is the proximity to Big Red Oak Plantation which features world class bird and deer hunting.
My husband had hunted at Big Red Oak Plantation in the past and really enjoyed it, but never would have considered it as a place that I might like to accompany him to (rightly so). When we learned that Quercus had recently opened literally right down the road we knew we had to check it out.
The 4000 acre Quercus Farm was purchased in 1977 by Duke and Duchess Visconti di Modrone after they were forced to escape Italy during a period of political unrest, ultimately finding themselves in Georgia after considering several other locations in the US and Africa; they clearly wanted to be off the grid! Located just an hour from Atlanta Airport Quercus feels a world away, the only reminder being the oppressive humidity we experienced (note to self, return a bit later in the fall to capture better weather).
Quercus is still owned by the family though it is Chiara the daughter of the Duke and Duchess along with her husband Angelos who decided to open their ranch to the public (on a very small scale) by developing four gorgeous well appointed cabins (one is two bedrooms) as well as opening a intimate restaurant to both guests and non-guests on the weekends called Uberto featuring a world class dining experience.
We visited Quercus with friends who have similar passions (hunting and luxury relaxation) so we booked the 2 bedroom cabin which is pictured below. The bedrooms are mirror images of one another which makes it easy to pick upon arrival. I am getting slightly ahead of myself though.
Upon making the reservation I began an ongoing text conversation with the folks at Quercus so that each and every detail was covered; what we hoped to do during our visit, dietary restrictions, transportation needs and more. It was tremendously thorough but not at all onerous. Transfers are included in the nightly rate as are all meals and many activities. Hunting is not included though the Quercus team was on top of all of the arrangements with Red Oak Plantation thus making the experience unbelievably easy. As it turned out we had a last minute unforeseen incident that forced us to shift our entire itinerary by a day and the Quercus team could not have been more responsive or accommodating truly going above and beyond to facilitate all the scheduling changes that ensued.
Rather than fly to Atlanta we opted to fly down privately landing at Atlanta Regional Airport – Falcon Field which gave us a bit more flexibility in maximizing our time together. Upon arrival we were met by Mario who could not have been more welcoming even though he was a bit surprised at the excessive amount of luggage we had brought down with us (numerous shotguns and an assortment of wine). Somehow he loaded it all into the Quercus Maybach Van and we were off for the half hour ride to Gay, Georgia.
As we pulled in to the ranch we were met by the hospitality team, served welcome drinks and whisked away to our cabin on golf carts. The cabin was a perfect combination of rustic, modern and cozy and was loaded with inspired details and accents many of which come from the family’s personal collection. The fridge was stocked with goodies, the coffee pre-measured, wine and beer thoughtfully chosen and truly epic chocolate chip cookies (both gluten free and regular) provided.
There is an emphasis on wellness at Quercus and each cabin comes complete with a wood fired sauna and cold plunge (outside) as well as red light therapy, weighted vests for hiking, and yoga mats. In all honesty my friend and I were happy these amenities were on hand but we were quite content to read and relax for a good portion of our time. We had originally arranged for massages but we were unable to reschedule those at the last minute following our change of dates.
The bedrooms were simple yet sophisticated, the perfect place to relax and restore. The sheets and mattress (always very important to me) were incredibly comfortable ensuring an excellent nights sleep.
Our cabin was set apart from any other structures so we were able to enjoy total silence and view the stars at night.
Farm to Table Meals: Food is of upmost importance at Quercus and Chef Ryan Smith of Atlanta’s Michelin-starred Staplehouse is able to utilize the incredible produce grown on property (more on that shortly) to create innovative and unforgettable meals. Even though we brought our own wine with us we relied on the friendly and knowledgable sommelier to recommend some white wines and chat about pairing the bottles we had brought with the evening’s 16?!? courses. Only one tasting menu was planned during our stay with the second dinner a more casual event served in the Cottage, which we were grateful for simply because our waist bands couldn’t expand any further!
The meal was as picturesque as it was delectable, and the service was terrific; below are a sampling of the dishes we enjoyed.
Uberto’s was the setting for the tasting menu while all of the other (outstanding) meals were served in other locations. Breakfast is brought to the room by the staff in lovely hampers along with coffee and table settings. We opted for early as the guys were getting picked up for hunting at 8:30 am. Armed with our dietary restrictions and strong likes and dislikes we were served delicious, healthy and beautiful dishes. Lunch could have been enjoyed al fresco (too hot and sticky) so instead we enjoyed it in the air conditioned comfort of the Cottage on our first full day while on the second they packed us up a fantastic to-go meal for the plane. Dinner on night two was served on the porch of the cottage and was followed by a fire and cigars (thoughtfully sourced by the team). There was no request that they didn’t go out of their way to make a reality which was very much appreciated.
The Property: In truth the absolute highlight of our visit was touring the extensive gardens with Quercus’ owner Angelos who only discovered his green thumb during Covid and has subsequently created a masterpiece! It seems as though the humidity and growing conditions in Gay, Georgia coupled with his newfound expertise has created the most delectable produce whose beauty could barely be captured accurately on film.
After a careful inspection of the fruit and vegetables we took a walk through the magnificent pecan trees en route to visit the horses. In addition to horses there is a sizable herd of highly photogenic cattle on the ranch.
The Details: The attention to detail is remarkable, the decor and decoration is so tasteful and restrained while at the same time quirky and sophisticated, it really hits just right. The culmination of all these details come together in the Cottage, the communal gathering area for meals, drinks and simply hanging out. There are several photos below to convey the vibe- all in all pretty fab.
Our second and final night wrapped up by the Cottage’s outdoor fireplace with the guys enjoying cigars and bourbon. There was always someone nearby ready to fill drinks or bring whatever we needed ensuring we were well taken care of at all times.
All in all Quercus was a fabulous discovery and exceeded my expectations. No offense to Gay, Georgia but I never anticipated experiencing such an exceptional getaway in what is admittedly an unassuming destination.
On Sunday we reluctantly packed up and prepared to fly home, the transition made easier by traveling in the Maybach van while our luggage went on its own in a Quercus branded Rivian. This is a wonderful weekend getaway for anyone who lives in the Atlanta area, or an add-on to a trip to Georgia. If you or your spouse is a hunter it is the perfect way to make everyone happy. I can’t speak about the Red Oak Plantation personally, but my husband who has hunted all over the world is seriously impressed by their guides and the hunting options (whether birds/deer or clays) and we are definitely planning to make this an annual tradition.
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