Georgia is

not the first place that comes to mind when it comes to

wine. People would consider the Napa Valley of California

or the vineyards of France or Italy before even thinking

about Georgia.

But Georgia

is home to numerous fine wineries, and they are featured

as Chateau Elan celebrates the wineries and vineyards of

Georgia every year, offering an inexpensive day for

people to enjoy.

There will

be dozens of representatives of Georgia's many wineries

and vineyards on hand at Chateau Elan Saturday for the

winery and resort's third annual Vineyard Fest. The

festival gives the public a chance to learn about grape

growing, wine making and tasting during seminars

throughout the day. Complimentary tours of Chateau Elan's

own production areas and vineyards will run hourly.

For

connoisseurs in the making, there will be tastings

throughout the day at the fountain, as well as seminars

every hour in the Bourdeaux Room. A grape stomping

contest also will be conducted every half hour on the

lawn. Create the most juice and your name will be entered

in a drawing for an overnight stay at the Inn at Chateau

Elan with breakfast for two.

Not

everything at Vineyard Fest is about wine, though. During

the day north Georgia musicians Greg Bridgewater, John

Mayer, and the band Memory Dean will perform. It wouldn't

be a festival without food, and A Taste of Chateau Elan

will feature the resort's international chefs

demonstarting their homeland culinary talents and

competing for prizes.

Everything

from Cajun jambalaya and Dutch hutspot to Italian

tiramisu and Russian strawberries Romanoff will be

included. Participants also can take complimentary tours

of the Spa Pavilion at the resort or browse the Fine Arts

Show.

A parking

fee of $5 per car includes one commemorative tasting

glass from Chateau Elan. Additional glasses are avalable

for $3. Some activities also may require a small fee.

Most of the seminars are $2, the food ranges from $1-$3,

and the tasting requires only the tasting glass.

Chateau

Elan is off exit 48 on Interstate 85. For information,

call 770-932-0900 ext. 6301 or visit the web site at

www.chateauelan.com.

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