Living Jackson Magazine

Chateau Élan Winery and resort
A 3,500 acre playground

By Joshua Barnett
Photographs courtesy of Chateau Élan

More than 950,000 people enjoy the amenities afforded by Château Élan Winery & Resort in Braselton each year. The 3,500-acre playground, nestled on the edges of four north Georgia counties–Jackson, Hall, Gwinnett and Barrow–serves both locals and traveling guests and employs a number of Jackson County residents.

Château Élan’s vineyards, opened for visitors in 1980, became the vision of entrepreneurs Donald and Nancy Panoz nine years prior. After opening the vineyards, the need for overnight accommodations and restaurants was apparent. In 1988, the Château, a 42,000-square-foot French royal retreat, welcomed guests for the first time.

In the beginning, the Château featured two restaurants, a visitor’s center for winery tours and tastings, a wine market, an art gallery, meeting rooms, a full-production winery, aging cellars and a temperature-controlled warehouse.

The resort now offers guests a multitude of opportunities to enjoy both the in and out of doors: wine, 63 holes of championship golf, a European style spa, the Stan Smith Tennis Center, an equestrian center, a conference center, racing venues and classes, four restaurants and accommodations.

In addition to its restaurants and pub, the Château’s claim to fame is its national award-winning wine. Wines made from indigenous Muscadine grapes include Spring Blossom, Autumn Blush and Duncan Creek. The vineyard encompasses 75 acres and the wine list at Château Élan features more than 20 homemade creations. In addition to native Georgia grapes, the Panozes introduced Vinifera vines, a non-native plant, to the vineyards.

Wine lovers will enjoy The Winery’s tasting and tours. Self-guided tours are offered daily; guided wine tasting and tours must be scheduled in advance.

If golf is more your speed, you’ll be right at home at The Château Élan Golf Club. Sixty-three holes, on four courses, are available for the golf enthusiast. Quicken the learning curve by attending The Golf Academy, an instructional course designed to improve players’ performance and enjoyment of the game. Director of Golf Instruction Tom Ness has taught people to play golf at Château Élan for the past 10 years and is ranked as one of the top 50 golf instructors in America by Golf Digest.

Zoom go the cars at Road Atlanta, a 2.54-mile Gran Prix motor raceway just 10 minutes from the Château. The raceway, also owned by the Panoz family, is home to custom driving programs designed to teach you how to drive fast. Joe Foster, chief instructor at the Panoz Driving School, is an America Le Mans racecar driver and is ready to educate you or a group on racecar driving.

Perhaps a slower pace, or trot, is to your liking. Find a horse and instructor at the Equestrian Show Center and learn to ride. Events at the Center include hunter/jumper competitions, dressage, team-building activities, summer camps and rodeos in addition to personal instruction.

Other amenities offered to athletes or people seeking a fitness-related stay include: tennis and swimming, jogging, nature and hiking trails, a

volleyball and basketball court, putting greens and a children’s playground.

The Château Élan Spa, a 33,000-square-foot facility nestled deep in the woods overlooking a dazzling lake, will refresh and revive your body. The Spa includes 36 treatment rooms and the Fleur-de-Lis restaurant. Enjoy a Swedish massage, aromatherapy massage, foot therapy, or a total body exfoliation. Perhaps you’re more interested in having your nails done, hair styled and make-up applied for a special evening. Whatever the occasion or reason may be, area residents can pamper themselves at the Château Élan Spa.

Accommodations at Château Élan are second to none. Choose from the 276-room Four Diamond inn, one of 12 Golf Villas, or one of four Legends Golf Villas. The Spa mansion is also home to 14 guest suites, which include themed rooms such as the “Greek Room,” the “Fox Hunt Loft,” the “Western Room” and the “Hi-Tech Room.” Select rooms feature Jacuzzis and have available “extra special touches” such as the Spa Romance Kit or in-room dessert or candles and flowers.

Commemorate your special stay at the Château by ordering a personalized wine label. Choose your favorite wine, pick a label style and photo, and select the text you wish to be displayed on the label. Your custom-made wine bottle will be ready to take home at the end of your stay. (Note: Advance ordering is required. Call 678-425-0900 to place an order.)

Château Élan also offers various seasonal events and activities:

It’s a Wonderful House Holiday Tour of Homes. Tour of five luxury homes located in the Château Élan residential development. Tours will be held November 17-19, 2006. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.itsawonderfulhouse.org. All proceeds benefit the Gwinnett Children’s Center.

The Lighting of the Château. On Nov. 24, 2006, more than 35,000 sparkling lights will illuminate the grounds, followed by a spectacular fireworks display, commencing at dark. The family oriented event will include magic and puppet shows, Santa Claus, putt-putt golf, story telling and a petting zoo. Adults will

enjoy wine tastings and tours, holiday shopping and a spa relaxation room. Admission is $5 per car and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Branan Lodge. For more information,

visit www.chateauelan.com or call 678-425-0900.

New Years 2006-2007 “Fire & Ice.” A hot celebration to ring in a new year. Choose between two packages and enjoy overnight accommodations and dining on the Château grounds. Call 800-233-WINE for reservations.

“Swingin’ on the Grapevine” Summer Concert Series. During the summer months, concerts on the lawn are fun for visitors and area residents alike. Tickets generally cost $30 and include dance lessons before the concerts start. Picnic baskets are welcome.

Give friends and family a gift they will enjoy: a trip to Château Élan. The Château offers an extensive variety of gift certificates. Give mom a hot stone massage or signature facial. Dad will enjoy the unlimited golf package or the “Practice Makes Perfect” package. The Château has a gift for everyone.

Château Élan is located on exit 126 off of I-85 in Braselton. For more information or to schedule your trip to the Château, call 678-425-0900 or visit www.chateauelanatlanta.com.