Château du Sureau will transport you to Europe from the Sierra Nevada foothills. This elegant, nine-acre, castle-like retreat is a mere 16 miles from the southern gate of Yosemite National Park. “The Château was built in 1992 by Erna Kubin-Clanin, an Austrian-born lady, who started The Elderberry House restaurant in 1983. The estate joined Relais & Châteaux in 1994,” recounts Rani Grube, Director of Operations and Maîtresse de Maison at Château du Sureau. “In 2017, Bernard Rosenson purchased the Château from Erna, with the same mindset of creating a culinary oasis inspired by France in the Sierra foothills. Being surrounded by the inspiring Yosemite Valley, we want guests to feel the essence and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.”

Upon arrival, a truly magical feeling takes hold. “The service is genuine and personalized. You feel like you are the kings and queens of your own castle,” Grube gushes. “The grounds are tranquil and restoring. The meals are creative and over the top. There’s something about this place that just can’t be recreated.” Its exclusivity is undeniable—the Château includes 10 graciously-appointed and uniquely-named guest rooms. Visitors may also book the private Villa du Sureau, consisting of two king-sized bedroom suites, office space, a grand salon, a wet bar, a dining terrace, and a private spa. “The Château has always been a hotel, never a residence,” notes Grube, adding that it holds a AAA Five Diamond.

Community is key at the Château. “Giving back to our schools, sponsoring the high school and youth teams is of utmost importance,” states Grube. “We find giving back to food banks to be really important. We donate to children’s hospitals and local causes.” But their involvement and outreach do not stop there. “We have a great set of programs year-round,” Grube goes on, “such as cooking classes with our executive chef, wine classes and tastings with our sommelier, live music on the patio, wine dinners with incredible wineries, a monthly high tea service, holiday dinners like New Year’s Eve and Christmas, and mixology classes and tastings,” all of which are available to the public amongst their array of seasonal events.

The Elderberry House, the Château’s on-site restaurant, has long been hailed as a premier fine-dining destination. “Our mentality with dinner is to bring our local setting to your table,” imparts Grube, referencing nearby farms and Yosemite. “The meal will be delicious and beautifully presented. Our drinks are seasonal and are built with the same mindset as our dinner menu, pairing the seasons to your meal.” The sommelier will gladly offer wine recommendations, too. Down in The Cellar, clad in cozy stone walls, plan to sit, sip, and snack on small bites. The dining establishment was awarded Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence in 2020 and recognized in OpenTable’s 2023 Diner’ Choice.

Each room at the Château du Sureau is uniquely decorated to emulate 18th and 19th century royalty, the immaculately curated gardens resemble the gardens of Versailles, and the Spa du Sureau menu offers services enhanced by traditional European elements. The Elderberry House curates an exquisite dining experience with local ingredients using French flair. A plethora of amenities—such as a welcome check-in beverage and snack, a bottle of wine in each room, gourmet breakfast each day, and the best linen in the world to sleep on—spoil guests from the moment they arrive. Personalized concierge services include tours to Yosemite, as well as special events like weddings. At Château du Sureau, it is easy to live your own fairytale.

559.683.6860

9215 48688 Victoria Lane
Oakhurst, CA 93644

www.chateausureau.com
@chateausureau

Photographer Benedicte Castillo