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Braselton, GA
Château Élan
A French-style château in Georgia wine country — 45 holes, spa and cellar tours.
45-holeschateau-luxuryeasy-drivewine-country
The place
A 16th-century-style French château rises out of north Georgia wine country forty-five minutes past Atlanta, with 3,500 acres of vineyards, restaurants and golf wrapped around it. The Chateau and Woodlands courses give the crew two full championship rounds, a walkable par-3 loop settles the side bets, and the private Legends course — built with input from the game's icons — is the white whale to ask about. Between rounds: cellar tastings, a big spa, and eight on-property places to eat. It is the most civilized trip on the list, and the drive is painless.
The courses on property
| Course | Designer | Notes | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chateau Course | Denis Griffiths | The resort's original — rolling parkland golf in sight of the vineyards. The marquee. | resort |
| Woodlands Course | Denis Griffiths | The tighter, more secluded second course through the Georgia hardwoods. | resort |
| The Legends | Denis Griffiths with the game's legends | The private course shaped with icons of the game — ask the concierge about guest access. | members |
| Par-3 Executive Course | Denis Griffiths | A walkable 9-hole par-3 — made for wine-in-hand evening skins. | resort |
Where you crash
The resort
The Inn at Château Élan
The château itself — vineyard-view rooms, a destination spa, and eight restaurants and tasting rooms without touching the car.
◆ The private house
The Private House
A golf villa inside the gates — full kitchens, porches on the fairway, and cart access to both courses. The resort's villa program lists two- to four-bedroom options that pair up for bigger crews.
4-6 BR · sleeps 8-12 · ~$800–$2,200/nt
The 5-day plan
- 1
Easy drive & the cellar
AM Three hours over from Birmingham — arrive by early afternoon.
PM Check in, winery tour and tasting, welcome dinner at the château.
- 2
Woodlands Course
AM Open in the hardwoods on Woodlands.
PM Spa or par-3 skins with a glass in hand; Sarazen's pub for dinner.
- 3
Chateau Course (36 optional)
AM The marquee round beside the vines.
PM Diehards replay Woodlands; others tour the cellars. Big wine-pairing dinner.
- 4
Cup day
AM Team match on the Chateau Course — or Legends if the concierge worked magic.
PM Trophy presentation over a reserve bottle; cigars on the terrace.
- 5
Vineyard breakfast & home
AM Breakfast at the château and a case of wine for the trunk, then the easy drive home.
Why it wins
Georgia's winery-resort one-stop: 45 holes on property, a château of restaurants and a serious spa, three hours from Birmingham. The pick when the trip needs to impress non-golf hours as much as the golf.
Booking notes
Stay-and-play packages bundle the Chateau and Woodlands courses; Legends is private, so have the concierge ask about guest access well ahead. Winery tastings and dinners book up on weekends.