Just because wineries are aplenty on the west coast doesn’t mean they’re non-existent on the east coast. Chateau Elan Winery and Resort is the golden example of a well-established winery that is successfully operating outside of Napa Valley.
Located in Braselton, Georgia, about a half hour away from Atlanta, Chateau Elan is a popular destination for those looking to enjoy a taste of luxury outside the city. The 3,500-acre resort is masterfully designed with French-inspired buildings that can easily make you feel like you slipped away to Paris.
Photo Credit: Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
As if that wasn’t enough to make you want to pack your bags, there are also options of participating in the winery tour, wine tasting, spa, culinary classes and physical activities such as golf and tennis. With seven exquisite and assorted dining selections, guests have the ability to choose from a wide-range of delectables as they kick back and enjoy the amenities of a resort lifestyle. But while having all these options at their leisure makes for a spontaneous and well-rounded experience, it’s the wine that most people make the special trip for.
Chateau Elan was founded by Donald and Nancy Panoz, who after tasting the indigenous muscadine grapes during one of their many frequent business visits to Georgia, decided to grow them themselves and ultimately produce wine from them. Since its first wines were released in 1984, Chateau Elan has become one of the leading wineries on the east coast. People travel from all across the globe to taste their homegrown wines and imported wines.
Their muscadine wines include Duncan Creek, Summer Wine, Autumn Blush, Spring Blossom, and Duncan Creek Red. Duncan Creek is considered a true Georgia muscadine wine and has a crisp taste; Summer Wine features a peach nectar essence; Autumn Blush has a raspberry nectar essence; Spring Blossom features a strawberry nectar essence; and Duncan Creek Red is a Georgia-grown noble muscadine with a vibrant red color.
Photo Credit: Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
While the muscadine grapes were harvested in Georgia, the Chateau also produce wines that are made with imported grapes from California such as their sparkling wine, Merlot Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Pinot Grigio Reserve and Sauvignon Blanc Reserve. Not to mention their most popular wine, Dolce Rosso, is imported from Italy and its sweet notes of raspberry and rosy flavorful scent make it hard to keep the bottles in stock. These wines are regularly available onsite through wine tastings, dining, and of course, to take home.
Photo Credit: Chateau Elan Winery and Resort
Because of high demand for their top awarded wines, Chateau Elan has exclusively revealed that they will be creating a subscription box for wine lovers that will be available for pick up only. But while we wait to see this exciting new venture come to light, guests can continue to live a life of refinement at the pool, the spa or the golf course with a Chateau Elan specialty wine in hand. Make sure to visit Chateau Elan Winery and Resort’s website for more information.
