17th South Magazine

Top Menu

  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Latest
  • Culture
  • Indulge
  • Happening
  • Living
  • Cover Story
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • About US
    • Our Mission
    • Meet The Team
  • All Articles
  • Contact Us
  • Past Issues
  • Pick Up A Copy
  • Read The Current Issue Online

logo

Header Banner

17th South Magazine

  • Home
  • Latest
    • Artistic Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • WESTSIDE WARES

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • PCM Premieres

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Burning Up

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Edge of Tomorrow

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • The High Gets Higher

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • COMEBACK KID

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • DYNAMIC DESIGN

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • European Experience

      November 1, 2018
      0
  • Culture
    • The Voice of Atlanta Radio

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Put a Sock on It

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happy to Be Here

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Coming Up Roses

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Going Green

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • Stompin’ on the Westside

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • PAINTING THE TOWN

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • EAT WITH YOUR EARS FIRST

      September 27, 2018
      0
    • Atlanta-based designer Megan Huntz

      Fashion, Forward

      August 23, 2018
      0
  • Indulge
    • A Modern Classic Menu

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Drinks on Demand

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Family Affairs

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Food News - March / April 2019

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • A SEASONAL BITE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Happening Hood Hangout

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • How Sweet It Is!

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Cozy Up, Drink Up

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Food News - JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Happening
    • ATLANTA ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • THE GREAT RACE

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • FASHION FORWARD

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • LE JARDIN FRANÇAIS WINTER FLORAL DESIGN CLASS

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • 2019 ATLANTA BIENNIAL

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • VIRGINIA-HIGHLAND TOUR OF HOMES

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • YOUR BEST LIFE

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER - DOVE OF PEACE TOUR!

      November 1, 2018
      0
    • BOO AT THE ZOO

      September 27, 2018
      0
  • Living
    • Minnesota's Shopping Mecca

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Treasured Acquisition

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Preserving the Past

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Cajun Country Culinary

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Spring Forward

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • West Highlands Retreat

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Highly Addictive Beauty

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Dose of the Ocean

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • A Gangbuster Alabama Getaway

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • Cover Story
    • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • CREAM OF THE CROP

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GET CRACKING

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • LAST THINGS FIRST

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • RISE & SHINE …

      February 21, 2019
      0
    • Matt Gryder and Matthew Fishman

      January 10, 2019
      0
    • Antonio Brown

      January 10, 2019
      0
  • BOOZY BLASTOFFS

  • BRUNCH BUCKET LIST

  • GET CRACKING

  • CREAM OF THE CROP

  • GLOBAL BEGINNINGS

  • LAST THINGS FIRST

  • RISE & SHINE …

In Town EscapesLiving
Home›Living›In Town Escapes›Head for the Hills

Head for the Hills

By 17thSouth
July 21, 2016
2127
0
Share:

An hour’s drive transports Atlantans to Château Élan’s tranquil grounds.

Driving through the gates of Château Élan, a beautiful orange-pink sunset as our backdrop, my husband and I prepared for two teenager-free nights filled with warm Southern hospitality, gourmet food and wine in seven restaurants, and world-class amenities.

With sweeping views of the North Georgia foothills and 3,500 acres of gorgeous property—including a full-production winery—it was like we were in the French countryside, just an hour away from the city. But that’s the point, right?

After settling into our room, we headed to Café Élan for wine tasting and dinner. A distinguished gentleman who introduced himself as Hank Evers, CEO and president of Château Élan, cheerfully greeted us. He escorted us to the Wine Market to sample the winery’s new Muscadry and Pink Muscadry, along with two reds, Pinot Noir 2011 Reserve and Barbera D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2011, explaining the origins of each.

Afterward, we dined in the bustling Café Élan. Our server, Crystal, attended to every need without being obtrusive—her wine suggestion (Justin Cabernet) with our Chermoula Spiced Ahi Tuna and Swordfish Catch of the Day was superb. One of our favorite dishes was the appetizer, a selection of local charcuterie and fromage, featuring Sweet Grass Dairy cheeses, housemade pickled vegetables and assorted jams.

The first night, we slept blissfully in our comfy bed outfitted in a Richloom Home Fashions duvet cover and Harbor Linen “Opulence” sheets, dreaming of next-day spa treatments. We were so anxious to get the pampering started, we didn’t make it to breakfast. Instead, we opted for an early lunch at Fleur-de-Lis, the lovely, sunlit dining room overlooking the lake and gazebo at Château Élan’s Spa. Our treatments included a Men’s Hot Towel Facial and Château Essential Massage (for him) and Château Essential Facial and Deep Tissue Massage (for me) as well as his and hers pedicures. The Spa uses d’vine products featuring all natural ingredients from wine, grapes and potent botanicals. The mild, fruity scent of grape seed oil lingered on our skin throughout the weekend, serving as a constant reminder to relax.

Although the spa was dreamy, our weekend highlight was dinner at Le Clos, which seats just 28 people in its intimate setting within the Winery. The five-course, prix-fixe menu features seasonal flavors and local harvest— all fruits and vegetables on the menu are Georgia-grown.

I opted for the chef’s seasonal salad, monkfish, lemon sorbet and bison tenderloin, and house-made coconut pistachio sorbet. My husband chose smoked tuna, “Bacon & Eggs,” lemon sorbet and venison osso buco, and the charcuterie tray for dessert. Perfectly portioned and served leisurely over two-and-a-half hours, dinner was satisfying, and the chef’s presentation very impressive. He visited our table personally after dinner to get our thoughts about the new seasonal menu, which debuted that evening. We complimented the artistic and colorful presentation of each dish, which showcased the freshness of the local ingredients.

The next afternoon, we reminisced about every moment of our French Château “staycation.” We drove home with the top down, sun shining on our faces. Short, meaningful trips go a long way in staying connected as a couple, and we’ve vowed that Château Élan will be a more regular one for us.

The Château Élan Inn
100 Rue Charlemagne,
Braselton, Ga. 30517
678.425.0900
chateauelan.com

STORY: Joanne Hayes

TagsBarbera D’Asti D.O.C.G. 2011Café ÉlanCEO and president of Château ÉlanChâteau Élan’s SpaChâteau Élan’s tranquil groundsChermoula Spiced Ahi Tunadinner at Le Closd’vine productsFrench Château “staycation”full-production winerygourmet food and wineHank EversHarbor Linen “Opulence” sheetsHead for the HillsJoanne HayesJustin Cabernetlunch at Fleur-de-LisPinot Noir 2011 ReserveRichloom Home Fashions duvet coverstaying connected as a coupleThe Château Élan Innwine tasting and dinnerworld-class amenities
Previous Article

Mark Toro

Next Article

Party In The Park

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Uncategorized

    Establishment Extends A Warm Welcome To 17th South

    December 30, 2016
    By 17thSouth
  • LivingStyle To Go

    SIMPLY STATED

    May 4, 2017
    By 17thSouth
  • Mason Poe and Kendra Rainey, co-founders of the Edgar Allan agency
    LivingPeopleSEPTEMBER 2018

    Smaller Learnings

    August 23, 2018
    By 17thSouth
  • In Town EscapesJANUARY 2018Living

    Roswell Renewal

    December 28, 2017
    By 17thSouth
  • LivingOut Of Town

    Carolina Cool

    April 26, 2018
    By 17thSouth
  • JULY / AUGUST 2018LivingShelter

    Creature Comforts

    June 28, 2018
    By 17thSouth

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You may also be interested in...

  • CultureDanceNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2018

    Stompin’ on the Westside

  • EventsHappeningJune 2017

    CELEBRATE BEER – JUNE 17

  • Fresh BitesIndulge

    ¡QUE DULCE!

Visit Our Sister Publication

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates and to hear what's going on with our magazine!

Follow us

Instagram @17thSouth

Follow on Instagram

Find us on Facebook

logo

17th South:
In the heart of Atlanta,17th South magazine reaches active, exploration-minded residents ages 24-65 who want to experience the best the area has to offer, through stories and features on individuals and businesses they can relate to in their direct communities. We feature of-the-moment and hidden gem restaurants, beautiful private homes, philanthropy, arts and cultural offerings, and the trendsetters and tastemakers who are making it happen!
Valuestream Media Group
simply-buckhead-magazine
17th-south-magazine

Contact Us

  • P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355
  • 404.538.9895
  • advertising@17thsouth.com

Find us on Facebook

Follow us

17th South Instagram

Follow on Instagram
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Pick Up A Copy
© Copyright 17th South. All rights reserved.