Chateau Elan, Where Time Stands Still in Georgia’s Wine Country
Chateau Elan was born in 1981 when Donald and Nancy Panoz planted the first vineyards in the rolling hills of northern Georgia, establishing the region’s first winery since Prohibition. What started with a sip of sweet muscadine wine made from Southeast native grapes that thrive in the area has evolved into one of the most awarded wineries in the eastern U.S., laid across 3,500 acres just 45 minutes north of Atlanta.
The muscadine grape tells an extraordinary American story: First discovered by Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano in 1524 in North Carolina’s Cape Fear River Valley, muscadines represent America’s first cultivated grape. Native Americans had been using these grapes for centuries, making dumplings, raisins, drinks and poultices from what was called “Cherokee muscadines.” The thick-skinned grapes proved naturally resistant to the diseases and pests that destroy European grape varieties, thriving in a warm, humid climate that challenges traditional vintners.
Georgia’s humid climate forced the Panozes to develop unique cultivation techniques that raise vines above ground for better ventilation—innovations that proved essential for growing both native and imported grape varieties. Their vision extended far beyond winemaking, and today Chateau Elan is a Four Diamond resort featuring 276 guest rooms at the Inn, 14 spa suites, 10 villas, eight restaurants, 45 holes of golf, a full-service spa with 35 treatment rooms, and over 50,000 square feet of meeting space. It’s a massive space at first, but becomes more intimate as you settle in.
The wine program has undergone a remarkable transformation under Italian winemaker Simone Bergese, who brought 25 years of experience from his native Ceresole d’Alba. Bergese, along with Resort Sommelier Matias Henriquez, have revolutionized their approach over the last decade, moving far beyond sweet wines to create sophisticated, balanced expressions that have earned over 300 international awards.
Today, 70 percent of Chateau Elan’s production comes from indigenous Muscadine grapes—specifically the white Carlos and red Noble varieties that have adapted to Georgia’s terroir, showing natural resistance to plant diseases like Pierce’s disease and Phylloxera, which can destroy other grape species. What makes Chateau Elan’s approach interesting is that their muscadine wines are lower in sugar and higher in alcohol than traditional muscadine wines, breaking from the overly sweet stereotype that has long defined Southern winemaking. The remaining 30 percent of production comes from 18 grape varieties grown in California’s Lake County and Clarksburg regions, shipped fresh as whole clusters at 27 degrees. Bergese’s minimalist approach uses little to no sulfites, relying instead on natural antioxidants from the grapes themselves. The result is a portfolio of more than 30 wines that range from signature muscadine expressions to premium bottles like a Bioterra Petit Sirah and the award-winning Bianco American Riserva—a blend of muscadine and chardonnay that won Garden & Gun’s 2022 Made in the South Award.
The winery offers three main tasting experiences which I highly recommend: the Chateau Wine Tasting with seven pours, including the Fingerprint Collection, sparkling wines and ports; the Chateau Tour & Tasting, with a guided behind-the-scenes tour and five pours; and the Grandeur Tour & Tasting, a private tour of vineyards and production facility with eight premium wines and an artisan cheese plate.
Chateau Elan’s restaurants provide a global culinary tour as well, guided by experienced chefs and sommeliers. The food was truly the highlight of my stay. Marc Bar & Restaurant, led by Chef Tim Rowland, offers a farm-to-table, upscale-chophouse experience, with a rotating seasonal menu featuring 1855 black angus beef, fresh scallops and lamb, among other staples. Located within the 16th-century styled winery building, Marc serves lunch Friday and Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., with dinner Tuesday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., and Friday through Saturday until 10 p.m.
The Versailles Restaurant & Bar, situated in the signature glass-top atrium (ideal for weddings and events), showcases French-influenced American cuisine with regionally inspired cocktails. Executive Chef Rodney Ashley leads the culinary program, serving breakfast daily from 7:30 to 11 a.m., lunch Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday through Saturday until 10 p.m.
I also had a lovely brunch at Fleur de Lis, the wellness-inspired dining destination within the Spa, where Chef Christina Dolby has created a menu that redefines healthy luxury, featuring dishes like butternut squash soup and Brussels sprout Caesar salad. The restaurant overlooks the lake and allows spa guests to dine in robes and slippers or workout clothes, in an intimate 16-table setting.
Louis’ House of Bourbon features a speakeasy atmosphere with an extensive bourbon list and small bites including warm jumbo pretzels, crispy fried chicken wings, and cheese & charcuterie boards. The venue opens daily at 6 p.m. with live music on weekends. Paddy’s Irish Pub offers authentic Irish fare in a spirited setting. Originally built in Dublin and reassembled on property in 1997, the pub serves traditional dishes like Paddy’s Irish dip, Guinness sirloin sandwich, and pub Reuben. Additional dining options include Sarazen’s Bar & Grille overlooking the 18th green with all-American fare; Le Petit Cafe specializing in artisan espressos and French-inspired pastries; and Le Soleil at the main resort pool offering light bites and refreshing cocktails.
The Viking Culinary Studio provides hands-on cooking education in a 1,600-square-foot teaching kitchen. Chef Chad Hicks, who joined in 2019, leads classes featuring seasonal, home-kitchen-approved menus. Each class includes professional instruction of preparing a three-course meal, wine pairings chosen by the sommelier, and recipe booklets. Classes run Wednesday through Saturday and cost $160 per person.
The Spa at Chateau Elan serves as a gorgeous and welcoming wellness sanctuary with innovative spa treatments and fitness classes. The facility features 35 treatment rooms, an indoor saltwater pool, outdoor sun deck, spa whirlpool, dry Finnish sauna, and eucalyptus steam room. The spa offers various fitness programs including low-impact aerobics, strength training, body sculpt, yoga, and Pilates, with aqua aerobics in the heated indoor pool.
The resort’s heated outdoor pool creates a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere with stylish black and white cabana-striped seating, lush landscaping, and lovely towels and fruit-infused water. The pool area features cozy fire pits for evening s’mores gatherings and seems to host a good mix of families, couples, and solo travelers.
During your days you can explore multiple trail systems across the 3,500-acre property. The Spa Loop offers a gentle path around the serene lake, while the hills of the Private Estates trails provide more adventurous terrain. The trail around the Equestrian Center winds past vineyards and through canopied forests, and walking maps are available at the Front Desk.
Chateau Elan Golf Club features 45 holes across three distinct courses. The championship Chateau Course spans 7,030 yards, while the Woodlands Course offers 6,735 yards with views of the North Georgia hills. The Executive Course provides a nine-hole walking option. The resort also offers the Preferred Player Program with discounts and complimentary services. The Chateau Elan Racquet Club features three hard courts, two clay courts, and four pickleball courts, including a stadium court with grandstand seating. Weekly clinics are led by professional Matt Kirkham, with programs for all skill levels.
For weddings, the resort offers multiple indoor and outdoor venues across its 3,500 acres, including the Rose Vineyard, Vineyard Pergola, Matisse Terrace, Chateau Courtyard, and Jardin des Tuileries. Three wedding packages are available: Classic, Heritage, and Signature, each offering different levels of amenities and services.
Corporate groups can choose from over 50,000 square feet of newly renovated meeting spaces, including ballrooms, the Golf Pavilion, and various indoor and outdoor venues. All meetings receive assistance from professional planners. The resort welcomes pets in Inn accommodations and villas for a $150 cleaning fee per pet, with a maximum of two pets under 50 pounds per room. A $55 resort fee per night includes access to various amenities and services.
In a world increasingly disconnected from the rhythms of land and season, Chateau Elan is a welcoming atmosphere to all and represents a unique evolution in American winemaking and hospitality. Less than an hour from Atlanta, guests can experience sophisticated wines that challenge preconceptions about Southern viticulture, participate in hands-on culinary education, enjoy diverse wellness offerings, fine dining, and nature trails.
The resort’s success lies in its ability to combine the distinctive character of Georgia’s native terroir with world-class hospitality. Whether you’re interested in learning about the transformation from sweet muscadine wines to award-winning sophisticated expressions, participating in cooking classes that emphasize local ingredients, or simply enjoying the laid-back atmosphere around the pool, Chateau Elan offers an accessible escape. If you are local to the region, don’t miss their Wine & Pickleball event this Fall.
–Photos courtesy of the Resort and the author.
