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For a great excursion on your way to the Georgia mountains, consider a visit to the posh and newly renovated Château Élan in Braselton. My sweetie and I took an Autumn 2020 trip to the nearby luxe resort and had So. Much. Fun!

Château Élan Winery & Resort

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Georgia mountains, Château Élan is styled like a 16th century French chateau and boasts a vineyard and winery on it’s 3,500 acre world-class resort. The property has recently completed $25M in renovations — and the fine points of this investment are visible at almost every turn. Enjoy fine food, award-winning wines, contemporary furnishings, and exceptional service in these freshly inspired spaces.

Sunset at Chateau Elan Winery in Braselton, GA. Sep 2020.
Sunset at the Château Élan Winery in Braselton, GA

 

Our Visit to Château Élan Winery & Resort

We checked in at The Inn at Château Élan and were welcomed with a festive glass of Château Élan sparkling wine. The crisp bubbles are the perfect way to start a vacation! The renovated room was fitted with chic details including designer flooring, a pillowtop mattress, and soft embroidered linens. The large bathroom included an oversized soaking tub, a separate shower, and bath & body products from the on-site spa.

Mameli Fingerprint Collection Red Wine 2017 Chateau Elan Cellars
Chateau Elan Mameli Fingerprint Collection wine at Marc Bar

From the Inn, it’s a short walk through the vineyards to the main winery building, which includes the wine tasting room and Marc Restaurant & Bar. We took a couple of the socially-distanced seats at the Marc bar and enjoyed conversation with our bartender, Eric. Hand-crafted cocktails offered a nice start as we were guided towards fantastic Château Élan wine selections based on our personal wine preferences. Our favorite wines that night were the Château Élan Brut NV and Château Élan Mameli 2017.

Back at the Inn we wandered across the atrium to catch the late night scene at Louis’ House of Bourbon. The full bar features a variety of bourbon drinks and has live sports on the TV’s, plus games like pool and shuffleboard. If the weather permits, have your drinks outside by the large fire pit as a great way to finish the evening. A room key is needed to access the firepit and pool area, but it is a beautiful space for hotel guests to enjoy the evening.

The next day started with a hearty breakfast at Versailles. The restaurant is on the ground floor of the Inn and is filled with natural light from the massive glass-topped atrium during the day. It also has a large light sculpture above that is beautifully lit up at night. Start with fresh coffee and orange juice while waiting for your order — and give yourself plenty of time to finish the large portions of breakfast staples. Our waitress, Bobbie Jo, was a 20-year employee of the resort whose enthusiasm and bright attitude made the meal even more special.

At midday we walked to the winery to meet with Château Élan winemaker Simone Bergese to learn more about the current wine program at Château Élan. The conversation was held in the winery with a backdrop of massive stainless steel tanks and winemaking equipment. Simone spoke with pride about the journey that the wine program has taken since 2013. His dramatic decision to replant the vines was a tremendous undertaking, but one that has paid off in the ability to produce higher quality wines that have helped the winery become the most awarded winery on the East coast.

The most convincing evidence is in the wine tasting room, where you get a more hands-on experience with the wines. We sampled 7 wines from the dry sparkling Brut NV to the intense, fortified Port Riserva with a gourmet cheese and charcuterie plate. We enjoyed learning even more about the Château Élan wines and the winery during our tasting.

To complete our visit to the winery, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner at Marc Restaurant & Bar, Château Élan’s fine dining restaurant. The meal was a delicious treat from start to finish and included fun surprises like strawberries for the sparkling wine, smart wine pairings with each course, and Instagram-worthy presentations. The vineyard views were gorgeous, the food was delicious, and the service was beyond outstanding!

Creme Brulee Dessert at Marc Restaurant & Bar at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. Sep 2020.
Creme Brulee dessert at Marc Restaurant & Bar at Chateau Elan

 

What to Do at Château Élan Winery & Resort

This local gem is ranked #1 on the TripAdvisor “Things to Do” list in Braselton. Learn more below about the variety of things to do at Château Élan.

 

Château Élan Georgia Winery & Tasting Room

Château Élan is the largest producer of premium and varietal wines in Georgia, and you’ll find a variety of quality wines to suit most anyone’s taste. Take a Château Élan winery or vineyard tour to learn more about the grapes grown in Georgia, in California, and the innovative ways that the winery produces their award-winning wines. Regular tastings and guided winery tours give visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the production facility and vineyards (click here for schedule and tickets).

Chateau Elan Wine Tasting of 7 Wines in Reserved Room
Chateau Elan wine tasting in reserved room

Château Élan’s wine tasting room and wine shop is located in the same building as the winery, so it’s a quick walk from one to the other. Purchase wine by the glass, bottle, or have a tasting to sample multiple wines while at the winery.

If you haven’t tried the Château Élan wines in recent years, you owe it to yourself to try them again. The wine program has been completely revamped – down to the vines being pulled and the vineyards being replanted! This is the largest winery in Georgia and also the most awarded winery in Georgia. The sweet wines made from muscadines are still available, but today’s Château Élan winery also boasts a wide selection of fantastic premium red and white wines.

Chateau Elan Wine Shop and Wine Tasting Room in Braselton, GA
Chateau Elan Wine Shop and Wine Tasting Room in Braselton, GA

These award winning Château Élan wines can be purchased in a few convenient ways:

  • During your visit to Château Élan
    • Purchase from the tasting room store
    • Select wines are available in other Château Élan locations (including Spa)
  • In beverage and grocery stores across the state of Georgia
  • In the online Château Élan wine shop
    • Shipment available to most states
    • Includes detailed information about each wine including the grapes, tasting notes, and alcohol content

 

Château Élan Winery Resort Restaurants

There are a wide variety of dining options for everyone at the restaurants at Château Élan. From gourmet brunch at Versailles or the Spa, to the casual atmosphere at Paddy’s Irish Pub, to multiple courses of fine dining at Marc Restaurant & Bar, it’s easy to stay at Château Élan from sunrise to sundown!

Alyce at Chateau Elan Under the Atrium and Chandelier. Sep 2020.
Under the glass topped atrium and chandelier at Chateau Elan

Inside the Inn, enjoy a hearty breakfast, lunch, or dinner under the gorgeous glass-topped atrium at Versailles. The newly renovated atrium is filled with natural light and has a sparkling lighted glass sculpture to enchant the space at night. A gourmet menu offers classics that are beautifully served for a cheerful addition to the day.

For fine dining and spectacular service, visit Marc Restaurant & Bar for a full-service gourmet culinary experience. The restaurant is also newly renovated with a warm, modern steakhouse feel, but also offers a patio to enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards with your dinner.

Paddy’s Irish Pub offers a more laid-back option from the back side of the main winery building. Louis’ House of Bourbon opens at 6pm and offers Southern Gastropub food in it’s speakeasy styled space. Fleur-de-lis is located inside the spa and overlooks a wooded pond and gazebo. Sarazen’s Bar & Grille offers casual dining with sweeping views of the 18th green. Le Petite Cafe and the seasonal poolside bar Le Soliel are great places to enjoy a fun menu of snacks and drinks.

 

Château Élan Lodging

There are a handful of different ways to stay at Château Élan to ensure you have a great experience.

Chateau Elan Cozy Nook Inside the Atrium at the Inn. Sep 2020.
Relaxing in a cozy nook inside the renovated Inn at Chateau Elan

In addition to the 276 rooms at the centrally located Inn, there are guest spa suites available at the Spa, Petit Villas on the Château golf course, plus rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Braselton.

The service at The Inn at Château Élan hotel in Braselton, GA is top notch from start to finish in this newly renovated beauty. Unique hotel features include availability of pet-friendly rooms and Tesla and electric car charging areas (parking lots near the Inn and Hampton Inn & Suites).

 

Château Élan COVID-19 Policies

Château Élan is actively taking steps to help ensure a safe environment for guests. All Château Élan staff wear masks and visitors are required to wear face coverings in public areas. Capacity has been limited in busy public spaces to allow space for guests to be socially distanced. Click here for a comprehensive list of Château Élan’s coronavirus and COVID-19 safety procedures and policies.

Please note that the above is subject to change to comply with any updates to Georgia ordinances.

 

Things to Do at Château Élan

There are dozens of activities to enjoy at Château Élan in addition to the winery and restaurants. Enjoy live music and free Braselton Trolley service on the weekends. Browse the events calendar to see the schedule and / or purchase tickets for Afternoon Tea, tennis clinics, painting classes, and more!

 

Château Élan Amenities

There are lots of great activities and amenities to enjoy while visiting Château Élan. Spend some time at the outdoor pool (seasonal) with a refreshing cocktail or meal. Ride bikes around the property and enjoy hiking the nature trails. Host your wedding or event on-site, or consider attending one of the festive annual public events!

  • 45 holes of Championship Golf on 4 courses
  • Stan Smith Tennis Center
  • Classes in custom built Viking Culinary Studio
  • 40,000 square foot Conference Center

 

Château Élan Spa

The Château Élan spa menu includes all the usual treatments and amenities one would expect at a top notch spa, plus much more! The spa at Château Élan has 14 unique guest spa rooms, including a couple of 2-story lofts. The spa restaurant offers healthy options and overlooks a serene wooded pond and gazebo. View the Château Élan Spa Menu and choose a spa package that includes multiple treatments for the ultimate indulgence.

 

Small Town Charm in Historic Braselton

We also ventured out of the Château Élan resort to visit downtown Braselton on a sunny Wednesday afternoon. The quaint downtown area has historic small town charm and boasts a variety of places to shop, dine, and connect with the town’s history.

Braselton Brewing Co in the Old Cotton Gin
Braselton Brewing Co in the old Cotton Gin

We stopped in the town’s former Cotton Gin at the Braselton Brewing Company. The Autumn weather was perfect for enjoying the dog-friendly outdoor patio, local craft beers, and a late afternoon snack. They have over a dozen in-house beers available — we enjoyed sharing a 4-beer flight to find our favorites. The food arrived quickly and included a unique take on mac & cheese that is worth trying! The staff was genuine and friendly and guided us towards great options from the menu.

Other great things to do in Braselton include:

  • Self-guided walking tour of downtown Braselton’s historic buildings
  • Walkable downtown shopping and dining district
  • Braselton Trolley
    • FREE trolley makes regular loop of top attractions including Château Élan
    • Runs year-round (weekends only)

For more ideas about how to spend your time in Braselton, check out VisitBraselton.com and TripAdvisor.

 

Planning Your Visit to Château Élan

Any time of year is a nice time to visit Château Élan, but the area truly comes to life when the leaves change color in the Fall. Add a stop at Château Élan on your way to the Georgia mountains to see vivid Autumn colors and enjoy the first-class guest experience and modern amenities.

For Château Élan specials, be sure to follow their social media and website for current offers on stays, spa visits, and overnight golf packages. Note that many spa treatments are available at lower costs during off-peak days (see menu for details).

 

Make a Dining Reservation at Château Élan

It’s easy to find great food and restaurants at Château Élan. Go all out for the fine dining experience at Marc Restaurant or choose to enjoy the lively casual atmosphere at Paddy’s Irish Pub.

Chateau Elan Atrium at Night and Versailles Restaurant. Sep 2020.
After hours at Versailles restaurant under the Chateau Elan Inn atrium

Reservations are highly recommended at the following restaurants:

 

Reserve Your Stay at Château Élan

There are many ways to stay overnight at Château Élan. Book a romantic package deal or check with the hotel about booking one of the dog-friendly rooms for your stay.

Chateau Elan King Corner Room 2020 09 - GaMountainsGuide.com
Sipping sparkling wine in a King corner room at Chateau Elan

Whether you choose the centrally located Inn, a private villa, or a spa suite, you’ll enjoy the perks of the vineyard resort. Book your hotel stays by calling +1 (678) 425-0900 or by using the links below.

Be sure to make note of which property you are reserving and any fees that may apply to your stay. Note that each booking option may have different policies regarding loyalty programs, payments, and cancellations.

 

Reserve Your Stay at Hampton Inn & Suites

The Hampton Inn & Suites in Braselton is on the grounds at the Château Élan Winery & Resort and is a more affordable way to stay on site at the vineyard. Enjoy vineyard views, a free shuttle to the winery, and a free hot breakfast in the morning.

 

More Information About Château Élan

These Château Élan resources can help you learn more about the resort and plan the perfect getaway.

 

Château Élan Reviews & Social Media

The word is out that Château Élan is a great place to visit! Connect with Château Élan online or browse recent reviews to learn about guest experiences at conferences, couples getaways, weddings, and more!

 

Contact & Visit Château Élan Winery & Resort

For further assistance, contact the Château Élan Winery & Resort at any time for more information.

***

The recently completed renovations make this a great time to visit Château Élan Winery & Resort in the scenic foothills of the Georgia mountains. The chic property combines classic charm and elegance with modern glamour and warm hospitality. Enjoy award winning wines, vineyard views, resort amenities, along with fine dining and superb service.

Newly Renovated Chateau Elan Winery & Resort - GaMountainsGuide.com
Visit the newly renovated Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

A very special and sincere thank you to those we met and talked with at Château Élan. We enjoyed learning about the winery and resort and felt very welcomed thanks to your remarkable service. We enthusiastically recommend each of the places we visited, and are excited to return and try even more of the resort’s great amenities.

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