Chateau Elan: An Escape to a Serene Winery & Resort Outside Atlanta, Georgia

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, located one hour outside of Atlanta, Georgia, is looking to change the perception of the south not being regarded as a region of fine wines.

When you think of wine and the United States, California obviously comes to mind first, followed by others like Oregon, Washington, and even the Finger Lakes area in New York.

With a winemaker from Italy and a Sommelier from Chile, plus a recent multi-million-dollar renovation, Chateau Elan offers a feeling of a luxury international escape without that long transatlantic flight.

Here’s what guests can expect with a stay at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort.

Accommodations

The resort positions itself as “an intimate French country estate,” which you see right away when you pull up to the entrance. The vineyards and the massive winery building greet you down the long Tour de France Road.

Activities for guests include access to complimentary bikes to ride around the property, a fitness center, nature trails, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, spa services, wellness classes, wine education classes, mixology demonstrations, a culinary studio for cooking classes, and a fire pit with S’mores kits available in the lobby shop.

The Spa Suites are a standout for anyone looking to have a more wellness focused stay, and the resort also offers two- and three-bedroom villas, great for families or groups seeking a more excluded space.

Wining & Dining

I know what you’re thinking – good wine in the state of Georgia? Surely they don’t have the soil for that!

Thankfully, Chateau Elan imports its grapes from around the globe to craft its award-winning wines.  

In addition, Muscadine grapes are grown on property.

So, if red is more your style, fear not – Winemaker Simone Bergese, who hails from Alba and has over 25 years of making wine around the world, has you covered with varieties such as the Mameli Red Blend and the Bioterra Petite Sirah.

Also available is the Premium Sommelier Selection experience, where Sommelier Matias Henriquez – who was born and raised in Chile – pairs four wines with tapas to match.

The experience is educational and informative, yet light-hearted and fun.

Bergese arrived in 2012 and has transformed the wine options here, growing from seven wines to now producing over 30 wines and over 45,000 cases each year.

The premiere dinner spot on sight is Marc Bar & Restaurant, an upscale chophouse with a southern twist located in the winery building. The Australian wagyu steak was the size of my face and cooked to perfection.

For breakfast, brunch or lunch, Fleur de Lis, located inside the spa building, is the spot to go to.

Another unique offering for guests to elevate their stay is afternoon tea at the Inn. Select from a variety of tea options followed by a beautiful tray of classic teatime bites, like mini sandwiches, macarons, and more.

If some in your traveling party love wine but others are partial to draft beer and some pub grub, the resort has an authentic Irish Pub on property with plenty of Guinness flowing. Paddy’s Irish Pub was built in Ireland and then transported to the resort in 1997.

Other restaurants on property include American cuisine at Versailles Restaurant, Le Petit Café, which is a Parisian-style coffee and pastry shop, and the sports bar and lounge Louis’ House of Bourbon.

The top dining experience on property though just might be the meal you make yourself during a cooking class in the Culinary Studio. The menu, curated by Chef Chad Hicks, rotates to focus on seasonal dishes, such as heirloom tomato salad, and a summer Bolognese followed by angel food cake.

At Chateau Elan Winery & Resort, you can certainly wine and dine to your heart’s content!

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

Contact My Journey Begins Travel to plan and book a trip to Chateau Elan Winery & Resort.