Relax and Unwind

East to West Coast Wine and Tennis Experiences

By Katie Steck

Just as fine wine and food are known to bring people together, so too is tennis. So what could be better than playing tennis and sipping wine? In our opinion, nothing. At Cliff Drysdale Tennis we are excited to bring our world-class tennis experience to some of the top wine destinations in the country. Our international staff and facilities from coast-to-coat are guaranteed to ensure you have the most fun on and off the court.

Chateau Elan Resort, located in the North Georgia foothills just 45 minutes from Atlanta, offers one of the largest and most awarded wineries on the East Coast. As you drive towards the resort with Georgia’s signature muscadine grape vines on each side of the road, the iconic winery chateau from the 16th century is the first thing you see. With 300 awards within the last 5 years, Chateau Elan has over 30 wines and produces half a million bottles each year. While the resort offers a wide array of activities such as biking, golf, spa escapes, and of course tennis, the wine tours and tastings are an experience you will not want to miss. Winery tours are offered complimentary for overnight guests, and private tours are also available upon reservation.

The winery staff take guests on a guided behind-thescenes look at the Winery Vat and production rooms while explaining the entire wine-making process from grape to glass. The tour concludes in the winery cask room surrounded by barrels of aging wine, where you are able to experience a guided tasting with the winemaker himself.

Chateau’s winemaker, Simone Bergese, brings years of expertise from working in wine areas and vineyards all over the world. That experience has allowed Simone to perfect and reinvent techniques for the wines produced at Chateau Elan. Simone’s goal is to create sustainable, healthier, and superior quality wines.

Heading to the California Coast, you get to experience another wine and tennis vacation at one of Cliff Drysdale Tennis’s newest destinations, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. With lively tennis offerings and a vast exposure of wine, the resort offers a luxurious yet intimate setting.

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offers a 12,000- bottle cellar and unique tasting experiences to guests within the Foley Food and Wine Society Wine Tasting Room. The tasting room is near the front entrance of the resort with a welcoming atmosphere with monthly changing wine tasting experiences. The tasting room provides flights from the society’s tasting partners including Kuleto Estate, Chalk Hill Estate, Sebastiani and Lancaster Estate.

While the resort does not have a winery on property, you are surrounded by the California wine country, and the resort is along the Urban Wine Trail. Downtown Santa Barbara has over 25 tasting rooms where you can enjoy wine lists from local wineries. There is a personal concierge available on site at The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara to schedule private tastings, blending seminars, food and wine pairing exercises and more for guests.

Both tennis programs at Chateau Elan Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara operate year-round and cater to a full spectrum of players with daily clinics and private lessons. Singles, couples, and groups will all enjoy a tennis vacation set against the backdrop of world-renowned wineries.

Chateau Elan Resort and Winery along with The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara offer a truly a unique, fun, and worthwhile experience.

So what are you waiting for?Join us!

Play Like a legend.

Cliff Drysdale Management Signature Sponsors Enjoy:

• Endorsement by and association with a true LEGEND; Grand Slam champion, Founder of the ATP and International Tennis Hall of Fame Member Cliff Drysdale

• VIP experiences at special events with Stars and Legends of the ATP and WTA tours

• Outings and client hospitality at Grand Slam and Masters Tournaments

• Dedicated promotions to our database of tennis players and luxury travelers

• Co-branded social media campaigns and contests

• Product placement and display opportunities at our 35 managed locations and associated events