A Mid-Week Refresh At Château Élan
Words and Photos by Sarah Margaret Spivey
Just a quick jump and hop-skip away from Atlanta, there's a quaint, mountain getaway that screams luxury and relaxation. Château Élan Winery & Resort sits on 3,500+ acres of rolling foothills that invites guests to escape into a dream vacation that they truly deserve. Alongside the beautiful scenery, the resort boasts stunning 16th century architecture, with a modern touch. The cherry on top? 
Château Élan Winery & Resort just completed a $25 million-dollar renovation, elevating it to the next level. Pulling up to the estate, I felt drawn to the timeless grapevines and winding roads, and I was ready to explore all that Château Élan Winery & Resort had to offer.
Visiting Château Élan during the week allowed me to see it in a different light—a place to truly relax and rejuvenate. After spending a good bit of the day in the car traveling from Birmingham, my friend and I were ready to find some food and get some sleep before a full day of experiencing the château. Within walking distance was a cozy pub, Paddy’s, which was exactly what we needed—a casual, yet delicious place to grab a bite. Paddy’s Irish Pub is a completely authentic representation of an Irish pub, with all of the furnishes and fixings straight from Ireland. After filling up on great meal, we retired to our spacious room for the night.
The next morning, we needed a place to get some work done. With the resort’s newly renovated inn, there is an ample amount of workspace. We decided on a cute library nook with wrap around benches and a convenient coffee shop, located right up the stairs. This space was located just off the atrium, which features a 1,400-piece glass chandelier hand-blown in the Crystal Valley of the Czech Republic. We were set with inspiration.
After a few hours, we had the chance to tour the property, which enlightened us to just how much Château Élan Winery & Resort has to offer. Personally, their wedding 
venues blew me away. With a mix of intimate and grandeur rooms, Château Élan Winery & Resort is a scenic and ideal place to hold a wedding with your family and friends.
The next part of our visit we were looking forward to the most—the spa. Located in a completely separate, 35,000-square-foot building, the spa provided exactly what we needed—space to unwind and slow down. We spent the afternoon feeling pampered, and we left feeling like new women.
The only possible place to head after a spa day… a wine tasting! Thankfully, that was our next stop. While sampling seven different house-made wines, we chatted and giggled, getting to know our sommelier, who was kind and gracious, explaining each wine to us in detail. The château’s winery is expansive and beautiful, creating a perfect space to have fun, relaxing day.
After our wine tasting, we simply walked right across the large room to Marc—Château Élan’s premier eatery. After the renovation, Marc Bar & Restaurant has 
been reintroduced as a southern-inspired bar and chophouse, including a refreshed menu. We were not disappointed, as we sipped on decadent cocktails and devoured our tasty pasta dish. The evening wrapped up after a full day of living life at Château Élan Winery & Resort.
While only spending just over a day at Château Élan Winery & Resort, we felt like we experienced full, luxurious relaxation. However, there is still ample opportunities to explore the grounds further, perhaps in warmer months, like the resort's rolling golf course, tennis courts, and pool-side bar. Keep Château Élan Winery & Resort in mind the next time you need a place to step into luxury for the weekend!