Relax amongst the vines at the beautiful Bent Tree Lodge. John and I took a weekend getaway recently to Bent Tree Lodge & Vineyard only about 90 minutes from downtown Atlanta and just down the road from downtown Jasper! Retreat to a cozy bed & breakfast nestled in the North Georgia Mountains that offers a hot breakfast and a day exploring wine.
The main house/lodge boasts a beautiful living space with towering fireplace, lounge area, and tables for the morning’s complimentary hot breakfast. The morning we were there they had a blueberry French toast bake with compote blueberries, a sweet cream cheese icing, and paired with fruit and sausage. I got to see one of the rooms, The Garden room, that has a swing bed outside to take in the winery views!
Behind the lodge is the Cairn View Winery, where we stayed above the tasting room in the Gibbs Suite. A large room where you open to an opulent bathroom with two vanities, a large walk-in shower, and the best dual soaker tub for relaxing. But, the centerpiece of the room is the large comfy king bed, floral accent pillow, gorgeous green accent wall and decor! It screams garden. Plus, you can walk out the door and right into the founders and members den to watch the winery action below. The den is decked out in cow patterns, dark leather, and is plush and inviting. Don’t forget the snacks! All snacks, cookies, water and soda in the room are complimentary to overnight guests.
Cairn View Winery
This north Georgia winery experience is all about wine for happy trails! THE premier boutique winery, you’ll enjoyed a unique tasting experience with a relaxed, spacious tasting room filled with wines made by cairn in Washington state, but this year, they will have their first crop grown right there in their vineyard! Outside, they have a beautiful wrap around porch with seating, outdoor fire pits and live music on select days!
You can opt for a wine tasting to find your favorite like the ones that John and I did. Our first tasting was The Bucking Broncos includes crisp Sauvignon Blanc paired with aged cheddar, floral Mountain Laurel Rose (second favorite), tasty Weeping Willow White, and my favorite the Springer Mountain blend with pepper jack cheese. Our second tasting was CVW Reserve Tasting includes Burnt Mountain Red reserve, 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2022 Malbec, and Panther Creek Red blend. All paired with aged cheese and chocolate. We had our wine tasting on our exclusive VIP tour, exploring the vineyard, the barrel room, and behind the scenes with a one-on-one tasting with the tasting room manager in their VIP room.
Beyond the tours and tasting, they also have wine by the glass and an array of snacks, like their amazing charcuterie board! It includes Pepper jelly, an array of cheese, olives, a mix of meats, crackers, and grapes. As for activities, they have live music, sip and paints, wine and cheese, and food truck Fridays to name a few of them.
It is the perfect little getaway near the mountains!
Just north of Atlanta in Braselton, there is a pair of castles where you can enjoy wine and a winery tour, accommodations in a beautiful Inn, gorgeous grounds to explore, and relax in a spa. Chateau Elan is one of the best Georgia resorts for a romantic getaway night or weekend getaway.
Inn of Chateau Elan
Inn of Chateau Elan will make you feel like royalty. Passing by rows of wine vines, the Inn of Chateau Elan sits just steps beside one of Georgia’s best known wine makers. As you walk through the main entrance, you’re greeted with an opulent expansive lobby space, gorgeous marble, three massive fireplaces, a plethora of comfortable lounging areas, and soaring ceilings. You will feel like a queen or king arriving to your palace.
Then, around the corner from the lobby, the atrium space shared by the restaurant and conference center is breathtaking. Take a large spiral showpiece staircase down to the lower level. In front of you is a cascading water feature. To the right is Versailles, one of the most stunning hotel restaurants I’ve ever seen with sweeping ceilings, soaring bar, and wood detailing. To the left is several cozy seating areas to relax in the space. My favorite is the blue reading nook filled with books and a beautiful blue wall. And don’t forget to look up. A flock of twinkling lights illuminate day and night. Stunning.
In the room, spacious accommodations wait for you to retire for the day. Large, comfortable beds are the centerpiece of the room. The bathroom is gorgeous with marble sink, shower, and a huge soaking tub. And don’t miss out on the very large closet and stocked mini fridge.
On the Inn grounds, they also have a large pool and fire pit area. The front desk has games and equipment for the many amenities that Chateau Elan has to offer. There is never a dull moment when you explore Chateau Elan.
The Winery
The central and main amenity at Chateau Elan is their winery because that is where it all started. When John and I visited, we enjoyed their premium classic tasting in the elegant chateau in their property. The winery is the heart of Chateau Elan! They have tastings of all sizes, wine by the glass, and bottles to take home from muscadine grapes grown on sight and a wide selection of varietals grown in California. You will be on cloud WINE here!
The wines we got on the premium classic wine tasting included bubbly and bright brut sparkling wine (fave), followed by the Pinot Grigio Reserve with notes of pear and apple (second fave). We also enjoyed the fruity, sweet rose sparkling wine, citrus and minerality sauvignon blanc, light, crips, and slight oak Chardonnay reserve, and the Greco with notes of olive oil. John’s favorite was the sweet Moscato sparkling.
Chateau Elan Dining options
While we were there, we explored the many dining options they the resort had to offer and were over the moon! Each had its own flare and inspiration for every taste and palate.
Starting with the Versailles Restaurant, it is one of the most beautiful hotel restaurants from soaring wood paneled bar, marble dotted with bright blue booths, and soaring atrium ceiling! This casual-ish spot serves up some tasty appetizers like a full-on meat and cheese plate, or decadent, smoky smoked salmon deviled eggs. We’d highly recommend the silky and melt in your mouth sea bass loaded with an earthy pea risotto and dousing of creamy white wine cream sauce. Or you can’t go wrong with their rich and meaty lamb shank with mashed potatoes!
Our favorite of the restaurants on the Chateau Elan grounds is second, Marc Restaurant & Bar. Here you can dine in the winery castle at this restaurant with their southern-inspired chophouse and brunch fare. We had brunch here on the first morning and loved it. It has something for everyone from the spicy and sweet hot honey chicken biscuits or my favorite the duck confit hash loaded with potatoes, fried onions, and savory egg. John opted for the stellar sweet crunchy waffle board loaded with fruit, nuts, chocolate and whipped cream, then drizzled with syrup.
For dinner on our first night, we enjoyed the best dining experience at the Marc Restaurant, as well. We started with fried green tomatoes that are crunchy outside and tender inside. It is paired with a delicious spicy jalapeno ranch sauce and some funky goat cheese. On top of that we tried the BBQ braised short rib, a sweet barbecue pulled short rib on top of a tasty baguette, rich balsamic and a sweet and tangy tomato jam. Plus, the Herbist floral gin cocktail is refreshing and light. Floral and herbaceous green chartreuse, a hint of honey, sage, and lime.
The main courses we tried at Marc’s were the tender grilled lamb chops and the perfectly cooked ribeye steak. The lamb chops were my favorite, thick and tender, seasoned lamb, that is one of the best I’ve had in a while. The ribeye steak is again, perfectly cooked and seasoned! They send out a bunch of sauces for their meats and I really enjoyed the tangy and spicy horseradish cream and herbaceous chimichurri for the lamb and the rich demi for the steak. On the side, I got the brussels sprouts that are tender, sweet, but have a kick on the end and the flavorful, rich, braised collards. We ended the night with the delicious, sweet, brown sugar port they make at Chateau Elan. And we can’t get over the service at Marc’s! It was perfect.
One afternoon, we took a stop for lunch at Paddy’s Irish Pub. It was originally built in Dublin and moved here and reconstructed on the property in 1997! This cozy little pub offers phenomenal Irish fare from their crispy, flaky, well seasoned fish and chips to hearty, creamy, and tangy Reuben sandwiches to pints of beer, a pineapple whiskey sour, The McCully cocktail, and a killer creamy and decadent Irish cream cocktail!
When we were leaving, we stopped by Le Petit Cafe for a to-go bite. It is located in the lobby of the Inn, a quick coffee and pastry spot for grab and go! Delightful banana bread, sweet muffins, and a large choice of coffee options. While you’re there take in some retail therapy in the little shop attached or take your coffee outside and relax in the patio.
Chateau Elan Amenities
Chateau Elan is all about their amenities. When we arrived and received the resort inclusions, we were blown away by just how much they give you for your time there.
The Spa at Chateau Elan is the premiere one available for purchase with spa treatments, day passes, and even a clean restaurant, Fleur de Lis! They have so many things to do during a day pass like a hot tub and indoor pool, sauna and steam rooms, spacious and gorgeous locker rooms where you’ll get your slippers and robe for the day. On top of all that, free welcome champagne, hot teas, and a snack bar. All of this is with a small lake backdrop outside. They have hammocks for relaxing outside, as well as small cabanas so you can gaze at the lake.
Overnight guests are invited to a free noon winery tour where you’ll go behind the scenes to hear more about the property history and how it became a winery. You’ll go behind the scenes to see where they ferment, barrel, and hold private tastings to learn more about their process and their wine. The tour guide is extremely funny, and we enjoyed every minute of it!
Other amenity highlights include a resort pool and firepit area around the Inn. They have a recreational club with tennis, basketball, bocce courts, and volleyball with equipment available! They have a driving range with access to use it and receive one complimentary range token. If you love golf, use the par 3 golf course with a $15 green fee. they also have resort bikes for use and a one-hour tennis court reservation. But one of the coolest is the complimentary 8 am wellness class Monday to Saturday.
Cobb County Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, Meaderies
Bubbles & Brews is a month-long celebration of Cobb County’s local craft beverage makers. During the entire month of March, craft beverage enthusiasts can travel along the Cobb Ale Trail to all 19 of Cobb’s breweries, distilleries, and wineries to sample each location’s unique beverages. New in 2022, a free digital ‘BrewPass’ will guide visitors to each location where they can collect digital stamps and win sweet prizes from Cobb Travel & Tourism.
The breweries, distilleries, meaderies, and wineries will host special Bubbles & Brews events throughout the month that will feature fun activities and themed giveaways where guests can earn double stamps in their BrewPass. Visitors will have the chance to vote online for their favorite best-sellers, special brews, and various other categories.
