FRENCH WEEKEND ESCAPE AND NO PASSPORT NEEDED
By Larry Mayran
Like a mirage, Château Élan Winery & Resort lies seemingly suspended in its own world. Here on 3,500 acres set amid rolling hills and lush vineyards surrounding a 16th century style French Chateau is a scene perhaps more familiar to the Loire Valley of France than the foothills of Northeast Georgia, but it is part of the mystique that makes Château Élan unique.
And while Château Élan's form engages the eye for its beauty, its function as a resort and conference destination plays an even greater part in its appeal. For a busy executive in need of a weekend, Chateau Élan offers the ambience of a French countryside getaway plus a distinctive array of luxurious amenities; less than two hours away and no passport needed, Chateau Élan is your destination of choice.
Carefully integrated into the landscape is a sumptuous mix of French wine country combined with a Four Diamond Inn with 320 rooms and suites, European Spa with 14 guest suites, seven restaurants, four golf courses, tennis center, and an array of unique resort amenities and settings unduplicated anywhere in America.
Chateau Élan provides weekend escapes that are not run-of-the mill executive or leisure travel retreats but custom tailored, in-depth, memorable, and fun. Two popular packages, albeit both with hefty price tags are the "Romantic Pleasures & Dream Chariots" at $155,000 which includes a glorious weekend in the Presidential Suite, and title and ownership of a hand built, high performance, Panoz Esperante GTLM convertible with a 420 horsepower, supercharged, 4.6 liter, dual overhead Cobra SVT engine. (The racing version of the Panoz Esperante GTLM recently won the 2006 24 Hours of LeMans beating the Porsche and Ferrari brands.) Another is "Name Your Vineyard." For $39,000 a ½ acre site in the Château Élan vineyard will be dedicated to and marked by the name of the recipient for an entire year. The recipient has a choice of either Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon vines or these may be split each into ¼ acre sites. In addition the recipient receives the entire production of that ½ acre, approximately 1.5 tons of premium grapes, hand picked, pressed, crushed, and estate bottled with the recipient's specially created private label on about 1,200 bottles totaling 100 cases of wine.
A new and especially appealing escape package that is relaxing, refreshing, and one that will make your future dinner party guests think you matriculated at the Cordon Bleu is called "Romantic Culinary Retreat." Chateau Élan created this package ranging from $3,182-$3,330 for two people based on an emerging trend in weekend escapes and extended vacations that focus on or at least include hands-on culinary and wine experiences. It includes 3 days and 2 nights in a deluxe room or upgraded to the Presidential or Governors suite, with breakfast each morning, dinner in either Le Clos, Café Élan or the Versailles restaurant, a couples massage in the Spa, a rose petal turndown, and a bottle of champagne.
Naturally with the Château Élan Winery and vineyards being the largest producer of premium wines in the state of Georgia, a one hour personal tour and wine tasting led by Château Élan Winemaker Peter Kasprzak is at your service. Executive Chef Marc Suennemann will provide a 2 hour personal cooking class featuring a three course menu with wine at Chateau Élan's new Culinary Studio. Located in the Winery the 1,600 sq. ft. purpose built studio with state of the art Viking appliances is designed to offer a prime cooking environment for those with a passion for food and a desire to learn, not to mention the mere fun and enjoyment of cooking with a professional chef in a private setting. Chef Suennemann's cooking classes feature the art of culinary preparation, cooking, and presentation. The classes are attractive for beginners, as well as the more experienced home chef. Moreover they are relaxed, supremely enjoyable and you have Chef Suennemann and Winemaker Peter Kasprzak as dinner companions.Château Élan had its beginnings more than 25 years ago when the vineyards were first planted in cabernet, merlot, chambourcin, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and other premium grapes. Additional amenities were added as growth transcended from Winery to luxurious resort. Today Château Élan has come to rank in the top tier of the nations prime resort and conference destinations. And in doing so, it has captured the imagination of corporate executives from coast to coast looking for the perfect weekend escape.
For more information visit www.chateauelan.com
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