Enthusiast Magazine

The very best wines take home prizes in different categories for white, red, sparkling, and rosé wines - each accolade, a very high honor. It can be no surprise that most of the winners each year come from the home state of the competition, California. The highest achievement of the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition is the Specialty Sweepstakes Award, which, historically, has never been won by a Georgia winery. Of this year’s competitors, Chateau Elan took home the prize for resort Winemaker and Winery CEO Simone Bergese’s 2017 Bianco American Riserva received the prestigious Specialty Sweepstakes Award. For the beautiful state of Georgia, this was historical. Bergese leads a team of integral players in the making of wines like the Bianco American Riserva. The cellar master, cellar hands, and interns, all work tirelessly through harvest season to produce the best wines possible - serving Chateau Elan and wine drinkers around the country. The combination of their efforts in diligent winemaking has led them to this honor of winning the Specialty Sweepstakes Award. Bergese says, “this achievement has been made possible by outstanding teamwork, great efforts, and a lot of passion.” He explains that this achievement means even more to him because of their success as the first-ever Georgia winery to rise to the top. He describes that winning this esteemed award for his wine, “represents an immense accomplishment for many reasons, but mostly it is the result of a lifetime of dedication with extreme quality, character, and authenticity.” Classified as a white port, the Bianco American Riserva consists of 70% Chardonnay, and 30% Muscadine. It was fortified during the fermentation process, producing a toffee and caramel flavored sweetness, complemented by its nutty and smoky flavors. This wine follows Bergese’s unique winemaking philosophy utilizing a minimal amount of sulfites. His methodology revolves around one main goal: to create healthy and sustainable wines. Sulfites are traditionally added as preservatives in wine to ensure a longer shelf life. Bergese has proven over time that this is an unnecessary step in the process, as the natural antioxidants in wine can prevent bacteria from spreading on their own. Following this conviction, he has been able to produce many award-winning wines with a much lower sugar content than most wines we drink today. Bergese has developed this very specific approach to winemaking that has led him to great success - however, he acknowledges that with his expertise, he is still always learning. “Although I always learn something new at every harvest, I feel very confident with all wine-making decisions I am making every day.” Bergese has spent most of his life developing the expertise and passion he exudes for winemaking. Originally from Ceresole d’Alba, Italy, he studied Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Turin. With his degree, he worked across different regions of Italy, learning from expert winemakers until he was named Chief Winemaker at a winery in Sicily. Over the next six years, he received many accolades as Chief Winemaker at several prestigious Italian wineries. In 2008, Bergese made the move to the United States, and accepted a position as the Winemaker at Potomac Point Winery in Stafford, Virginia. There he won over 60 awards at international wine competitions. He explains, “I consider myself a very experienced winemaker because of my specific education level, and the vast experience throughout very different world wine regions and grape varieties.” Bergese brought all his years of experience, and the knowledge and expertise he has developed, to Chateau Elan in 2012. Since his arrival at the Chateau, Bergese has produced delectable wines and led his team to great success. Established in 1981, the Chateau Elan Winery proudly serves over 30 wines, all made in-house by Bergese and his team. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy these wines, learn about the process, and tour the on-site production facility. The winery has an abundance of experiences available to guests, each one catered to their preferences. Select from Chateau Elan’s Reds, Whites, Ports, Sparkling Wines, and Blends, to customize a wine tasting experience at the Winery. Pair a tasting with a tour - and go behind the scenes with an on-site guided experience through the winery vat, production rooms, and bottling line. Get to know the rich history behind winemaking at Chateau Elan, and end your tour with a special tasting of vintage wines. Indulge in the most exclusive tour at Chateau Elan to learn even more about the vineyards - participants in the Grandeur Tour and Tasting get the chance to taste premium wines along with their private tour of the grounds. Chateau Elan wines, including the latest awardwinning 2017 Bianco American Riserva, are available for purchase at the winery, as well as online for delivery to most states. However, the best way to experience these award-winning wines, is to indulge in an invigorating and restful stay at the beautiful Chateau Elan! 

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