CLIFF DRYSDALE TENNIS: MAKING PLANS FOR A BETTER 2021

Good riddance to 2020! It’s time for a fresh start and what better way to celebrate a new outlook than to plan your next tennis travel adventure. And while temperatures may be chilly this winter season, it’s never too early to start thinking about spring and summer getaways. Cliff Drysdale Tennis (CDT) is making our plans for fun events and experiences at their numerous locations worldwide. A good place to start? How about a little tennis and wine action!

SOUTHEAST SWING

Piloted in September 2020 at Château Élan Winery & Resort in Braselton, Georgia, CDT’s Tennis and Wine Weekends are a hybrid of classic adult tennis camps with an off-court wine experience. The camps include 10 hours of tennis instruction, as well as two dedicated happy hour/wine tasting sessions. Last September, 20 players enjoyed socially distant tennis and wine events, and more are on offer for 2021.

“I think we knew that the tennis and wine concept would be successful, but to sell out our first event in an incredibly challenging year was a pleasant surprise,” said Director of Experiences Katie Steck. “We are adding more events for 2021 and hope to make this the premier tennis social camp.”

The 2021 Tennis and Wine Weekends will return to Château Élan Resort and Winery in May (21-23) and September (10-12). The facility features three championship hard courts, two Har-Tru clay courts and is led by Director of Tennis Matt Kirkham. The winery offers more than 30 wines and produces halfa-million bottles each year. Forged from amazing partnerships and now under the direction of winemaker Simone Bergese, Château Élan Winery is one of the largest wineries on the East Coast, with the largest distribution in Georgia.

“There are so many tennis players in the Southeast who would love a weekend away at our resort,” said Kirkham. “Whether it’s a USTA team, a couple, or just a group of friends, this is the perfect opportunity to get the best tennis instruction mixed with a whole lot of off-court fun.”

WEST COAST WALTZ

New to the calendar in 2021 is another wine-friendly locale: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara. Set for May 14-16, guests will enjoy ocean views and cool temperatures along California’s beautiful Central Coast. The tennis facility features four Har-Tru clay courts and is led by Director of Tennis Luis Vallecillo.

The resort’s dedication to the education and exposure of wine is evident in its 12,000-bottle cellar. This unique tasting experience, set amid a luxurious, intimate setting, offers flights from participating partners including Kuleto Estate, Chalk Hill Estate, Sebastiani, and Lancaster Estate.

“Being able to host everything right here on property is a big win,” said Vallecillo. “You can head straight from the courts right to the wine tasting room, and then have dinner at one of our many great restaurants. This location is perfect for a relaxing weekend away.”

Regardless of your preferred coast or travel bucket list, all Cliff Drysdale Tennis camps, including the Tennis and Wine Weekends, will continue to embrace Safe Play protocols and enhanced social distancing.

Thanks to the incredible work of all frontline healthcare workers and the drug manufacturing companies, it appears as though the COVID-19 vaccine will be widely available at some point in early 2021.

Of course, in the uncertain times we’ve all become accustomed to, flexibility is key. If you’d like to arrange your own custom tennis and wine experience, CDT and our resort partners will work to make your travel feel safe, special, and enjoyable.